The Do-Over: Re-Drafting the 2024 NBA Draft Class

Now that the NBA season has come to a close, we’ve had the chance to watch the entire 2024 rookie class take the floor. We’ve seen their highs, their lows, and the flashes that hint at what could be long and successful careers ahead. But if teams had a second shot at this draft knowing what they know now, how might things shake out? That’s where this redraft comes in. Based on their first-year impact and future potential, here’s how I’d reshuffle the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Without further ado—let’s get started.

1. Jared McCain (PHI) — 15.3 PPG | 2.6 APG | 2.4 RPG | 46% FG

   

   C/O to nytimes.com

   McCain gets the top spot. His season was cut short due to injuries, but when he was on the floor, he looked like the most gifted player in this class — and he did it while coming off the bench behind Tyrese Maxey. It’s scary to think where his game might be in two or three years.

2. Stephon Castle (SAS) — 14.7 PPG | 4.1 APG | 3.7 RPG | 42% FG

   

   C/O to nba.com

   
   

   San Antonio pulls off back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners, with standout Rising Stars MVP Stephon Castle leading the charge this season. A high flyer with aggressive on-ball defense, Castle can fill multiple roles on both ends of the floor. With his athleticism and versatility, he’s going to be a problem for opposing teams for a long time.

3. Zaccharie Risacher (ATL) — 12.6 PPG | 1.2 APG | 3.6 RPG | 45% FG

   

   C/O to reddit.com

   The first overall pick lands at No. 3 in this redraft. Risacher delivered solid offensive contributions as a rookie, and his 6'9" length makes him a capable defender and versatile offensive wing. With the potential to eventually anchor a team’s offense, the tools are all there — it’ll come down to how much work he’s willing to put in.

4. Alex Sarr (WAS) — 13.0 PPG | 2.4 APG | 6.5 RPG | 39% FG

   
   

   Four feels like a good spot for Alex Sarr. While some still have him ranked higher, I wasn’t too impressed with just 6.5 rebounds per game from a 7'1" player, and a 39% field goal percentage is dangerously low for a big man. That said, Sarr has shown phenomenal shooting mechanics for a seven-footer and moves incredibly well for his size. He’s going to be a serious threat in the league — but he’s not quite there yet.

5. Zach Edey (MEM) — 9.2 PPG | 1.0 APG | 8.3 RPG | 58% FG

   

   C/O to sportsnet.com

   Zach Edey isn’t just the tallest player in the league — he has sky-high potential to match. At 7'4", Edey is already a nightly double-double threat. He has no business shooting threes… but he does, and it looks good. Combine that with a near 60% field goal percentage, and it’s clear Edey was ready for this opportunity from day one.

6. Jaylen Wells (MEM) — 10.4 PPG | 1.7 APG | 3.4 RPG | 42% FG

   
   

   The 39th overall pick jumps all the way to No. 6 here — and for good reason. An All-Rookie First Team selection, Wells was a full-time starter throughout his rookie campaign and emerged as one of the Grizzlies’ primary scoring options. It’s a shame he didn’t get any playing time during the playoffs, because the kid clearly earned it.

7. Kel'el Ware (MIA) — 9.3 PPG | 0.9 APG | 7.4 RPG | 55% FG

   
   

   More than just a high flyer, Kel’el Ware quietly did a lot for the Miami Heat in what was otherwise a painful and disappointing season for the ball club. He can stretch the floor, attack the rim, and crash the boards with energy. What more could you want from a modern big?

8. Yves Missi (NOLA) — 9.1 PPG | 1.4 APG | 8.2 RPG | 54.7% FG

   
   

   Yves Missi sort of flew under the radar with fans this season, but the numbers speak for themselves. The Cameroonian big man brings a no-nonsense, old-school approach to the center position and closed out the year shooting an efficient 54% from the field. A reliable interior presence who knows his role and plays it well.

9. Bub Carrington (WAS) — 9.8 PPG | 4.4 APG | 4.2 RPG | 40% FG

   
   

   Bub Carrington was the only rookie to suit up for all 82 games this season for Washington, averaging 10 points per game and proving himself as a more than capable passer. He also rebounds well for his size, consistently making his presence felt in all aspects of the game. The kid just knows how to contribute.

10. Matas Buzelis (CHI) — 8.6 PPG | 1.0 APG | 3.5 RPG | 45% FG

    

    C/O to si.com

    Not far from his original draft spot at No. 11, say what you want about Matas after the dunk contest — the kid helped a struggling Bulls team win more games than they probably should have. At 6'10" with guard-like skills, he represents exactly where the NBA is heading: tall, versatile players who can do it all.

11. Donovan Clingan (POR) — 6.5 PPG | 1.1 APG | 2.8 RPG | 54% FG

    
    

    A 7'2 glass cleaner and collegiate champ, Clingan averaged more rebounds than points this season on a Portland team that desperately needed an interior presence. He's also making efforts to refine his jumpshot, which will only make him more of a threat.

12. Dalton Knecht (LAL) — 9.1 PPG | 0.8 APG | 2.8 RPG | 46% FG

    
    

    Knecht had a hell of a season after a voided trade sent him back to L.A. It was a tough situation, but he delivered exactly what the Lakers needed in a shooting guard whenever Austin Reaves was off the floor. With experience across three different collegiate programs, Knecht entered the NBA as a seasoned, capable offensive threat — and it showed all year long.

13. Isaiah Collier (UTA) — 8.7 PPG | 6.3 APG | 3.3 RPG | 42% FG

    
    

    Collier’s 6 assists per game made him the most NBA-ready playmaker in this year’s draft class. I’d argue he was snubbed from an All-Rookie Team this season — unfortunate, considering how center-heavy those rosters turned out to be. Collier’s court vision and passing are already at a high level, and he should only continue to rise.

14. Rob Dillingham (MIN) — 4.5 PPG | 2.0 APG | 1.0 RPG | 44% FG

    

    C/O to nba.com

    Despite averaging just 4 points per game, I still believe in Rob. He’s as shifty as anyone in the NBA and possesses elite ball-handling skills. He couldn’t carve out enough playing time this season to truly make an impact, but something tells me that once he does, he’s going to be scary.Despite averaging just 4 points per game, I still believe in Rob. He’s as shifty as anyone in the NBA and possesses elite ball-handling skills. He couldn’t carve out enough playing time this season to truly make an impact, but something tells me that once he does, he’s going to be scary.

15. Nikola Topic (OKC) — DNP

    
    

    Despite missing out on his rookie campaign, Topic has multiple accolades in the Euro League, and the skills to make a dangerous summer league debut next month.

16. Ryan Dunn (PHX) — 6.9 PPG | 0.8 APG | 3.6 RPG | 43% FG

17. Ja'Kobe Walter (TOR) — 8.6 PPG | 1.6 APG | 3.1 RPG | 40% FG

    
    

    Ja'Kobe Walter surprised Toronto with consistent offensive production, clutch shots, and the ability to be a team player. Walter's game at Baylor translated identically to the pros.

18. Tristan Da Silva (ORL) — 7.2 PPG | 1.5 APG | 3.3 RPG | 41% FG

19. Kyshawn George (WAS) — 8.7 PPG | 2.5 APG | 4.2 RPG | 37% FG

20. Ron Holland II (DET) — 6.4 PPG | 1.0 APG | 2.7 RPG | 47% FG

21. A.J. Johnson (WAS) — 7.6 PPG | 2.6 APG | 2.0 RPG | 38% FG

22. Terrence Shannon Jr. (MIN) — 15.3 PPG | 1.4 APG | 1.5 RPG | 35% FG

23. Reed Sheppard (HOU) — 4.4 PPG | 2.6 APG | 2.4 RPG | 46% FG

    

    C/O to sports.yahoo.com

    A steep drop from his original No. 3 draft slot, Reed Sheppard’s rookie campaign was underwhelming. He averaged just 4 points per game on 35% shooting while spending a large chunk of the season in the G League. Yes, he’s playing behind star guard Jalen Green — but Jared McCain was also behind a star and still produced. There’s no excuse here.

24. Daron Holmes II (DEN) — DNP

25. Devin Carter (SAC) — 3.8 PPG | 1.1 APG | 2.1 RPG | 37% FG

26. Tidjane Salaun (CHA) — 5.9 PPG | 1.2 APG | 4.7 RPG | 33% FG

    

    C/O to swarmandsting.com

    Salaün logged heavy minutes for Charlotte during his rookie season, but his efficiency and plus-minus numbers tell the story — more often than not, he was a net negative on the floor. There’s still hope he can grow into a player worthy of the No. 6 pick, but he’s got work to do to get there.

27. Cody Williams (UTA) — 4.6 PPG | 1.2 APG | 2.3 RPG | 32% FG

28. Baylor Scheierman (BOS) — 3.6 PPG | 1.1 APG | 2.1 RPG | 35% FG

29. Dillon Jones (OKC) — 2.5 PPG | 1.1 APG | 2.2 RPG | 38% FG

30. Pacome Dadiet (NY) — 1.7 PPG | 0.3 APG | 1.0 RPG | 32% FG

Of course, it’s still early — these players have all the room in the world to grow, develop, and completely change my opinion down the line. After all, that’s what this is: just my take on how the draft looks right now. How does my redraft stack up with your ideas? Let me know in the comments below. And with the 2025 NBA Draft only a few weeks away, we’ll be bringing you plenty of draft content all month long right here at Fans Only Sportz— so stay tuned!

Joel Piton

@jp7ton

Thanks for reading!