Every pick from the first round, start time, full round one draft order, No.1 pick, trades, Deni Avdija

The 2024 NBA Draft is here and while there isn’t a jaw-dropping prospect like Victor Wembanyama in this year’s class, that doesn’t mean it won’t be intriguing.

In fact, there is an argument that the first round in particular could be must-watch television given the fact there is so much uncertainty surrounding how teams value certain players.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons said in his draft preview podcast that he feels like “teams are going to draft by need and all hell is going to break loose”.

“Nobody really knows what is going to happen, even one day out,” replied Kevin O’Connor, who produces The Ringer’s annual mock draft and big board.

Follow along below for key developments from today’s draft, with a live blog at the bottom of the page with every pick as they come!

Watch Live Coverage of The 2024 NBA Draft with ESPN on Kayo Sports. Thu 9:30am / Fri 6am AEST. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

FIRST FEW PICKS ARE IN… BUT WILL THE REST GO TO PLAN?

The lack of top-end talent in this year’s draft class meant there was plenty of uncertainty as to who goes where, although the first two picks weren’t much of a surprise.

The Atlanta Hawks were first on the board and selected Zaccharie Risacher, a 3-and-D wing out of JL Bourg in the Betclic Elite League in France.

Fellow Frenchman and NBL Next Star Alex Sarr, who played for the Perth Wildcats, was then taken second by the Washington Wizards having declined a pre-draft workout with the Hawks.

The Rockets had the third overall pick and while there was talk they could trade back, instead they took Kentucky guard Reed Shepphard, who is the best shooter in this year’s class.

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San Antonio was next up and took UConn guard Stephon Castle, who will be able to immediately produce in the NBA due to his defensive ability but also has upside as a playmaker, having declared at the combine that he views himself as a point guard.

Detroit then took G League Ignite’s Ron Holland, who was once in the conversation for the No.1 pick but slipped down mock drafts and was routinely expected to go at the end of the lottery.

Instead, the Pistons took a swing on the 6-foot-7 wing, who offers plenty of upside and is only 18 years old.

Elsewhere, the Grizzlies, who are picking at ninth overall, shaped as the most likely trade-up candidate given they have a glaring need at centre after trading away Steven Adams to Houston last season and Donovan Clingan, the UConn big man, was not expected to be on the board.

Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported Memphis was in talks with Charlotte as the Grizzlies looked to move up, but in the end the Hornets stayed put and selected Frenchman Tidjane Salaun.

It marked the first time in modern draft history that three players from a country outside of the United States had been taken in the top-10, per ESPN.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies ended missing out on their man as Portland landed the draft’s top rim protector, drafting Clingan at seventh overall.

While Holland went earlier than some people were expecting, the first real big twist of the draft came at eighth overall as San Antonio took Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham with its second pick in the first round.

But it was later revealed that the Minnesota Timberwolves had traded with the Spurs to land Dillingham.

FIRST BIG TRADE OF THE DAY

Earlier, the first big trade of draft day dropped, with the Washington Wizards sending ascending forward Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers.

That is according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported that the Wizards are receiving Malcolm Brogdon, the No.14 pick in this year’s draft, the most favourable of Portland’s 2029 first-round picks and two second-round picks in the deal.

For the Blazers, they get a rising star in Avdija who put himself in Most Improved Player conversations last season after averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

Avdija, who can play at small and power forward, also shot a career-high 37.4 per cent from deep and is on a very team-friendly contract, set to earn $15 million, $14 million, $13 million and $11 million over the next four seasons.

Washington, meanwhile, clearly has a target in mind with the 14th pick and could still move Brogdon on for more draft capital given he doesn’t fit the team’s current timeline.

Alternatively, the Wizards could look to package the 14th and 26th pick to move up inside the top-10.

Washington also had the second overall pick, where it selected Sarr.

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