Entering the NBA Draft, many around the league believed that the 2024 draft class was one of the weaker in recent memory. There was no clear-cut favorite to go No. 1 overall or a prospect that made teams want to do whatever they could to land the first pick.
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However, what the draft class lacked in star power, it made up for in its overall depth. The class has been praised for many of the players’ ability to perform their specific roles well, which is also important when building a roster.
The Atlanta Hawks selected Zaccharie Risacher first overall. The Washington Wizards followed that pick by taking center Alex Sarr.
Neither of the top two picks was a game changer, but they each could turn themselves into quality NBA players if given the chance. BetOnline dropped new odds for the NBA Rookie of the Year award, and a surprising name was listed with the highest odds.
Strangely, third-overall pick Reed Sheppard from the Houston Rockets topped the list. He came in with +600 odds to win the award. Sheppard is a snipper from beyond the 3-point line, and the Rockets believe he can become their missing piece.
After Sheppard, Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey was listed at +650. He was selected No. 9 overall in the draft.
Risacher and Sarr came in with the third and fourth-highest odds, respectively. Risacher was listed at +850, while Sarr came in at +900.
San Antonio Spurs point guard Stephen Castle was listed at +900, tied with Sarr. Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis was also listed at +900, creating a four-way tie for the fourth-highest odds.
The draft class also includes intriguing prospects, such as forward Dalton Knecht, who was taken No. 17 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. Knecht was projected to be a lottery pick but fell directly into the Lakers’ laps because teams worried about his age.
Knecht came in at +1100 odds, possibly one of the better values within the list.
The Lakers also drafted USC guard Bronny James with the No. 55 pick, bringing NBA legend LeBron James‘ eldest son to the league. The selection of James marks the first father-son duo to play on the same team in NBA history.
James was last on the list, with odds of +15000. He is likely to spend most of this season in the G-League, seeing limited action on the NBA court.
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Each rookie will have the chance to tell their own story, but only one can walk away with the honor of being named the Rookie of the Year.
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