2024 NBA Draft: Biggest Winners
The 2024 NBA Draft saw a whole lot of moves made, some seemingly irrelevant, some that could prove to be massive in time. It's time to break down the biggest winners of the day, and why their day was so successful.
Portland Trail Blazers:
It's safe to say Portland will be making more moves this off-season, but what they did today was an excellent start. Before the draft even began, they traded their 14th overall pick, Malcolm Brogdon, a 2029 FRP, and two future SRPs to Washington for Deni Avdija. The first rounder will be the second most favorable between Boston, Milwaukee and Portland.
Deni Avdija has been okay for the Wizards, but last season especially he showed flashes of an elite NBA player. He averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and a much improved 37.4% from the 3-point line. His stats improved heavily all across the board, and clearly
Portland decided that he was worth the package. So long as that shooting percentage doesn't dip, he looks to be an excellent fit with the young core in Portland. He also has an excellent contract, worth 55 million over 4 years.
Not only did they pull off the trade, but they also got one of the 'steals' of the draft at number seven, in Donovan Clingan. The UConn Big Man is fresh off of back-to-back NCAA Championships, and at 20 years old, could be the Center of the future for the Blazers. It means that Portland will surely look to move on from at least one of Robert Williams or DeAndre Ayton.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota came into the day with the 27th pick and the 37th pick in the draft. They then decided to make an exceptional trade, giving up a 2031 FRP (unprotected), and a 2030 swap with San Antonio, for the rights to Rob Dillingham.
Selected 8th overall, Dillingham showed many flashes of brilliance with Kentucky, and with
Mike Conley turning 37 soon, he looks to be the PG of the future next to Anthony Edwards in the backcourt. Minnesota gave up a serious amount of draft capital to acquire Rudy Gobert in the 2022 off-season but used what little they had remaining to pick up a 19-year-old who they hope will prolong their current success.
The Wolves also picked up Terrence Shannon Jr. at pick 27. This is one of my favorite picks of the whole draft, as Shannon Jr. showed at Illinois that he has fantastic defensive potential, as well as being a straight up bucket. He averaged 23 PPG in his senior college season, and shot an improved 36.2% from downtown, something Minnesota will hope is sustainable. For a guy that was wrongfully accused of sexual assault, it's a joy to everyone in the basketball community to see him get to live out his dream, on a contender no less.
Los Angeles Lakers
Yes, they drafted Bronny. Rob Pelinka and company made it happen, with the 55th overall pick, taking LeBron James' son. How this will work out for the Lakers long term is yet to be seen, but make no mistake, the kid has potential to be at least a solid role player in this league, particularly defensively.
So, it seems LeBron will likely be returning to the Lakers this coming season, in what will no doubt be a spectacular season in LA. But the main reason they were winners of this draft was their 17th overall pick, Dalton Knecht.
Knecht is an older rookie, having turned 23 this year, but with that comes the NBA readiness that was on full display last season with Tennessee. Knecht put up 21.7 PPG on an excellent 39.7% from three, and was recognized as one of, if not the best, scorer in this draft class.
The Lakers really need perimeter defense on this roster, something Knecht has not shown much of, but undeniably this is a great pick for LA. Projected to go top 7 in almost every mock draft, falling to 17 is incredible, and the Lakers made no mistake in picking him up.
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