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2024 NBA Draft Best Intriguings Fits + Offseason Takeaways
Another breed of NBA talent was inducted into the fraternity, the National Basketball Association. The discourse surrounding the draft class of 2024 has mainly been an apathetic approach from the masses due to the void of potential “superstar” or “ franchise transcendent” prospects. This particular class features an abundance of players who will have great opportunities to play vital roles in taking plenty of organizations to the next level. Below, I break down my favorite landing spots, including some offseason pivots that may have shifted the landscapes of certain teams.
G/F Stephon Castle – San Antonio Spurs
Mr. Stephon Castle was an instant plug-in two-way impactful guard for Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies during his lone season in Storrs. Taken by the San Antonio Spurs with the fourth overall pick, Castle was an essential piece of the UConn squad that just won the NCAA National Championship for the second consecutive season. Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists and shot slightly above 47% from the floor. At 6 ‘6 with great length and an aggressive playstyle mindset, Castle will fit very smoothly into Gregg Popovich’s personnel of guards.
The most crucial objective this off-season for the Spurs front office has been to surround their most prized possession, Victor Wembanyama, with the necessary competent pieces to compete in the ever-so-gruesome Western Conference. On numerous occasions throughout the season, there were plenty of possessions that left fans and viewers dumbfounded at the Spurs inability to run and execute their half-court offense through Wembanyama. The Jeremy Sochan floor general experiment was fair to say very underwhelming, including a putrid 3.4:1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio. Even if Sochan expectedly improves as a floor raiser and playmaker, Wembanyama right now is in dire need of a natural guard who can raise his floor and simplify the game for him. Tre Jones is one of the most responsible point guards in the association and rarely makes a ton of miscues. The downside of Jones is that he’s often targeted on the other end of the court by bigger opposing guards despite the team’s advanced metrics that imply the Spurs are better when he’s on the court defensively. The addition of Stephon Castle certainly minimizes their lack of formidable personnel on that side of the court and gives the Spurs an additional promising point-of-attack defender who can switch effectively onto different offensive players. Castle offensively gives the Spurs an additional ball handler and shot creator who will be able to take advantage of smaller guards in the paint. Castle isn’t a superbly flashy offensive talent that’ll wow you with a lightning-quick first step or jaw-dropping handle but he productively uses his upper frame and footwork to get to his spots with an array of turn-around jumpers, floaters, and step-thru’s to get his shot off when his defender slows down his initial point of attack. Castle’s shot mechanics are a little spotty as he only attempted 2.2 3PA/game and shot a mere 27% from downtown on those attempts as a Husky. At the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Castle suffered a right-hand sprain in his debut that forced him to miss the remainder of the Summer League. Castle did put up 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists, going 8 for 21 from the field, including 2-of-6 from the three-point line in his debut. On the upside and very similar to former lottery wing/guard Jaylen Brown who was also an ultra physically imposing gifted guard/wing with a raw skillset, Castle will get plenty of reps to expand his overall offensive game. An iffy perimeter jump shot has been the con to every NBA prospect guard since before time so this is not a newly curated narrative surrounding Castle and he won’t be the first nor will he be the last guard to face the constructed criticism.
The San Antonio Spurs started off free agency by inking future first-ballot floor general Chris Paul to a one-year/$11 million dollar contract. Castle now will have an opportunity to learn the tools of the trade at the point guard position from one of the greatest to play the position and better yet under one of the game’s all-time basketball minds, Gregg Popovich. With Castle’s promising size, versatility potential, and role deviation in a solid infrastructure as such in San Antonio that’s enriched with so much NBA history, he has a great opportunity to become a franchise cornerstone player who can grow alongside Victor Wembanyama.
PG Rob Dillingham – Minnesota Timberwolves
The Rob Dillingham Show has finally kicked off. The Calipari-bred point guard was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the eighth overall pick before being acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for their 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap. Dillingham joins franchise superstar Anthony Edwards to form what hopefully will evolve into the Timberwolves’ backcourt of the future. Despite knocks on his slight frame (6 ‘1, 176 lbs) Dillingham is arguably the most exciting three-level scorer in the entire class. As dangerous as any guard in the country with the ball in his hands, Dillingham averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists a game as a Kentucky Wildcat, shooting 47.2% from the floor and 44% from the three-point line (4.5 3PA/game) and won SEC 6th Man of the Year as well as making the All-SEC 2nd Team. “He’s [Dillingham] probably the most talented pure shot creator in the draft.” confidently stated the Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann on a recent episode of the Bill Simmons Podcast. Dillingham continued to dazzle viewers at the NBA Summer League recording 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in five contests.
One of the main reasons the Minnesota Timberwolves went into a tailspin towards the end of this past year’s Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks was the lack of personnel equipped to alleviate Anthony Edwards of dictating every single possession in the halfcourt. Dillingham is a potent offensive talent with skills that make it ever so challenging to gameplan for as an opponent. Dillingham can attack in isolation off the dribble, pull-up going left or right, shoot off the catch, score in transition, and initiate pick-and-roll action very effectively in the half-court. The most admirable part of Dillingham’s offensive arsenal is his ability to finish around the rim with a combination of finesse, flair, and explosiveness regardless of how much contact he’s drawn on the drive. Dillingham’s dynamic handle, quick first step, and witty instincts will make him at the very least an above-average level playmaker, and with the guidance of veteran Mike Conley Jr. during such a key part of his professional career, Dillingham by year’s end will have what it takes on how to conduct an offense. If there’s any blemish on Dillingham as a prospect, it’ll be his focus and effort as a defender, especially at the point of attack. Because of the concerns surrounding his size at the NBA level and lack of experience, Dillingham will most likely be a heavily targeted defender on switches by opponents. The Timberwolves were arguably the best defensive unit in the NBA last season led by notable star defenders Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels. Anthony Edwards and Nickeil Alexander-Walker should provide an adequate amount of help along the perimeter to hide Dillingham away from the game’s more prolific guard shot creators while he adjusts accordingly to the constant rotations and tempo that is the NBA. The Wolves needed more scoring ammo this past postseason and particularly in this draft class with what Dillingham can give you in that department, it without a doubt comes at a premium. Definitely hold your breath because Dillingham will be a boatload of fun to watch and his shotmaking ability and video-game-esque playstyle will make it very hard for any viewer not to see him jump out of your television screen.
G Reed Sheppard – Houston Rockets
Safe to say the Houston Rockets snagged the best pure jump shooter in the class, Rob Dillingham’s co-backcourt partner with the third overall pick in Reed Sheppard. The reigning National Freshman of the Year, Sheppard put up 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals on 53.6 FG% shooting from the field and a blazing 55% from the three-point line. Sheppard lured a ton of NBA executives and scouts over the course of the season with his outstanding shooting prowess but those who paid attention too closely were aware that he’s one of the more complete guards in the entire class. Sheppard is 6 ‘2 187 pounds with a herky-jerky playstyle but is probably one of the safest assets to invest in given how high his floor is compared to his peers. A combo guard that can stretch the floor immensely and make plays for others. Sheppard isn’t a high-octane offensive talent who needs a bunch of touches to make his imprint on the game. Rather though, Houston Rockets’ GM Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka selected a seamlessly fit high-level guard that will complement and play in a bunch of different roles and spots this season. Sheppard’s versatile shooting repertoire undeniably gives the Rockets additional wrinkles and dimensions to their half-court offense.
The Kentucky Wildcat star did not disappoint in his first NBA Summer League, posting a line of 20 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in four games which was good enough to make an All-NBA Summer League first team. Last season Sheppard shot 56.4% on open catch-and-shoot 3P FGAs, 49% on contested catch-and-shoot 3P FGAs, and 50% on off-the-dribble 3P FGAs according to James Plowright, who covers the Charlotte Hornets for Sports Illustrated’s Fan Nation. The Houston Rockets ranked 23rd in 3P% last season and didn’t feature at least one rotation player (min. 15 min/game) that shot over 40% for the season. Rockets’ point guards Fred Van Vleet and Aaron Holiday both led the team with a 38.7% three-point clip last season. Sheppard’s shooting ability will open up lanes exponentially for athletic guards Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Cam Whitmore to get to the basket for higher percentage looks. Sheppard’s shooting makes him a prime complementary candidate as a ball handler to thrive next to Rockets’ franchise cornerstone Alperen Sengun in pick-and-roll and dribble handoff-based sets. Not the most physically gifted guard in his class, Sheppard gets to his spots effectively and doesn’t force looks often. The Rockets are already well stocked up with shot creators and volume dribble players so Sheppard’s off-ball presence will be a huge factor in the growth of this young rising core. Sheppard is a complete combo guard, his motion and movement off ball enhance his playmaking and floor-raising for his teammates. Sheppard demonstrated plenty of poise and patience with the ball in his hands this season as at various times he was the one orchestrating Calipari’s offense. It’ll be interesting to see how Sheppard fairs against constant ball pressure from bigger and more disciplined NBA defenders but it’s definitely a quality you can utilize when you diagram how this Rockets’ offense is going to look over the next couple of years. Defensively Sheppard is no slouch. He possesses big hands and embraces contact pretty well for a prospect who’s not known for outstanding size. The downside to the potential growth of Sheppard in year one won’t be entirely simple with the surplus of slightly more advanced shot-creating/playmaking guys already established in Houston it may take Sheppard a little to fight for earned playing time.
G AJ Johnson – Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks probably didn’t expect to prioritize this past year’s draft class after the intriguing offseason they had switching over from Mike Budenholzer to AJ Griffin and landing future hall-of-famer Damian Lillard. After an underwhelming and injury-riddled campaign from Lillard, a tumultuous head coaching exit, and a Giannis Antetokounmpo season-ending left calf strain, the Bucks were forced to reassess their team’s ceiling in principal because of the excess of guaranteed money the Bucks have invested into Antetokounmpo (29 years old), Lillard (34 years old), and veteran swingman Khris Middleton (32 years old) the next couple of years.
With the 23rd overall pick, the Bucks selected combo guard AJ Johnson from the Illawarra Hawks (Australia) of the NBL. Johnson was a five-star guard who had previously committed to the University of Texas before de-committing and opting for the overseas route. Half-brother of current Rockets star shooting guard Jalen Green, the Bucks hope Johnson will grow and become a stepping stone to extending the Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee. Johnson is a 6 ‘5 combo guard with an improving polished skill set featuring a 6’8 wingspan. Johnson didn’t quite catch his stride for the Hawks in the NBL due to limited playing time but gained valuable experience and knowledge at the next level that played a component in his overall development. Johnson turned heads at the NBA Draft Combine where he displayed his vast growth running the point guard position and scoring the basketball effectively. Johnson is still very far from who he’ll be from a physique standpoint, standing at just under 170 pounds but has already shown a competent ability that’ll hopefully evolve into a formidable shot-creator and playmaker. Through four games at the NBA Summer League, Johnson averaged 11.2 points on 32.3 FG% shooting. Johnson most likely will spend most of this upcoming regular season in the G-League but with his polished scoring gifts, there’s no rule out that he won’t be ready to provide a boost off the bench during the early stages of his maturation. Prospects with a high ceiling at a low risk-high reward price don’t come ever so often but at such a crucial point in the timeline of Antetokunmpo’s prime, it’s definitely time for the Bucks to go to great measures to attempt building their organization from within. AJ Johnson may be the first step in that process.
F Matas Buzelis – Chicago Bulls
I can’t recall the last Bulls draft pick I was this invested in or that won my approval this early but forward Matas Buzelis certainly has gotten my attention. Buzelis spent last season as a part of the G-League Ignite after turning down offers from Kentucky, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Florida State. In 26 games, the Illinois native put up 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds on 44.5 FG% shooting from the floor. Buzelis is a multi-facet score first wing with an extremely high motor. When you watch Buzelis on the hardwood, you get the sense that regardless of the result of the play, he’s going to give 100% maximum effort. “Not a lot of holes in this guys’ [Matas Buzelis] game, not a lot of holes, and I liked the confidence too. Confidence is a huge part of succeeding as a young player in the NBA and he has it,” NBA ESPN Analyst and former Golden Warriors executive Bob Myers spoke of Buzelis during the early stages of the NBA draft. Standing at 6 ’10, 209 lbs with a 6’10 wingspan as well, Buzelis has an exceptional combination of skill and size. Through five games at the Las Vegas Summer League, Buzelis averaged 16 points a game and 4.2 rebounds. Buzelis’ contagious energy and play have translated to the defensive end where he’s posted 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks to this point. Buzelis is a productive aggressive wing whose biggest strength is putting the ball in the basket. The Bulls recently acquired 21-year-old point guard Josh Giddey as one of the first foundational pieces the Bulls aim to assemble around as they embark on their long-awaited rebuild. Giddey is a perfect running mate floor raiser who can grow along Buzelis and will simplify the game for him down to a tee. Coby White is fresh off a career season where he was in contention for NBA’s Most Improved Player after pouring in 19.1 points in 2023-24. Lonzo Ball hasn’t logged a single minute in the NBA since the 2021-22 campaign but with buzz circulating about his recent medical clearance, that’s another guard that can furthermore help Buzelis adapt to the NBA tempo and get him routinely high-quality looks. Zach Lavine is another guard who has battled injury woes over the past couple of seasons but is an elite shot-creator who has averaged 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists on 60 TS% since 2019-20. A lot of the shots that departed out the door with Demar DeRozan on his way to Sacramento can now be properly balanced and allocated to Chicago’s backcourt and frontcourt. Buzelis may have the highest ceiling of anyone in his class and with plenty of reps coming his way, I would not be shocked if he hits the ground running and finds himself in Rookie of the Year contention by next spring.
PG Carlton “Bub” Carrington – Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards from the District of Columbia haven’t had an instant transcendent impactful floor general since they spent their first overall pick on former perennial All-Star John Wall. Efficient floor general Tyus Jones fled D.C. in free agency after posting career highs in points (12.0), assists (7.3), FG% (49%), and 3P% (41%) in just his first year as a Wizard. Just a day before the NBA Draft kicked off, the Wizards agreed to trade Israelian swingman Deni Avdija to the Portland Trailblazers for veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th overall pick, a 2029 first-round pick, and two future second-rounders. With a key supplemental scorer now in Rip City, and Tyus Jones taking his desired intangibles to the Valley, the Wizards decided to get even younger, selecting 18-year-old true freshman combo guard Carlton Carrington out of the University of Pitt.
A natural shot creator and dynamic playmaker, Carrington possesses all the tools and potential to ascend into a future star point guard in our league. Carrington was expected to grace the hardwood with fellow Pitt point guard Dior Johnson but after some off-court turmoil led to the dismissal of Johnson, the keys to the Pitt offense were handed to Carrington. In 33 starts last season as a true freshman, Carrington averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on a fair 41% shooting from the field. Carrington possesses promising size at 6 ‘5, 190 pounds, sees the floor well, and rebounds the ball effectively for his position. Carrington demonstrates extreme poise for a player at this stage of his early professional career. He’s very rarely out of control and his early reps as the de facto lead guard for Pitt helped pave the way to his draft stock skyrocketing to the first round. In the NBA Las Vegas Summer League, Carrington showed Wizards fans he’s their floor general of the future. Carrington struck together some standout games in Vegas, putting up 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in five SL games on his way to making the All-NBA Summer League 2nd Team. The Baltimore native is very productive in Pick and Roll, DHO sets (Dribble Hand-Offs) where he effectively can pick his intermediate spots for scoring opportunities. For a teenager, his pull-up jumper is quite advanced compared to most high-pedigree guard prospects of the past and will most likely be a lethal go-to move in his repertoire. Carrington is still evolving as a floor general but his shotmaking prowess goes hand and hand with his vision and playmaking. Carrington does a solid job keeping the ball alive and being patient enough to feel out a possession entirely before making a decision.
Jordan Poole had a fairly rough time finding his footing early on in his first season as a Wizard, shooting his worst field goal percentage since his rookie year. The 2022 NBA Champ Poole did close the season strong, averaging 20.9 points and 5.8 assists on 43/36/91 shooting splits post-All-Star break. Poole is still a potent offensive talent who is capable of catching fire at any moment and should be a viable scoring option next to Carrington as he becomes more cognitive with the tempo and physicality of the NBA. Newly acquired guard Malcolm Brogdon brings a veteran presence and will most likely not just be a projected starter in the backcourt, but also a voice Carrington can follow throughout his rookie campaign. 6 ‘7 wing Corey Kispert poured in a career-high 13.4 points a game on 38.3 3P% shooting (6.0 3PA/game) in 2023-24 and with former Wizard forward Deni Avdija now in Portland, Kispert should get a couple more extra shots and space to operate this upcoming season. Kyle Kuzma is the focal point of this offense and he himself is fresh off of a career year in which he was one of ten players last season to average at least 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists a game. (J. Embiid, L. Doncic, G. Antetokounmpo, K. Durant, J. Tatum, N. Jokic, L. James, J. Randle, P. Banchero). Carrington may not immediately replicate the same floor general intangibles that Tyus Jones exemplified but he undoubtedly has a higher shot-creating floor with significantly better size. Depending on how fast Carrington gets acclimated in training camp will determine whether he’ll be amongst the 12-man rotation on opening night but nonetheless I wouldn’t be shocked if Carrington plays himself into the starting lineup and crunch time rotation by next season’s end.
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