The first two-day NBA Draft in history is in the books. After Wednesday night’s Round 1 gave us some surprises, some trades and some Lakers buzz, Thursday night’s Round 2 promised even more of all of those things.
It didn’t exactly promise Bronny James. But the son of the greatest active player was indeed selected, at No. 55 overall by his father’s Lakers. Kyle Filipowski, Kevin McCullar Jr., Jamal Shead and Johnny Furphy were some other notable names selected on Day Two.
We are here to guide you through all 58 picks with grades from CBS Sports NBA Draft analysts Adam Finkelstein (in Round 1) and Kyle Boone (Round 2).
2024 NBA Draft grades, Round 1
by Adam Finkelstein
1. Atlanta Hawks: SF Zaccharie Risacher, France
It’s solid but unspectacular, but that’s what you expect in this draft. Risacher is a 3-and-D prototype, which you’d hope for more from a No. 1 overall pick, but that’s what you’re getting in this class. The better course of action would have been to trade down, but that option didn’t seem to present itself to the Hawks. Grade: B
2. Washington Wizards: C Alex Sarr, France
This is what Sarr wanted. He wanted to be with the Wizards, and the Wizards wanted him. Many thought he was the best prospect in this draft because he’s an exceptionally mobile 7-footer who can play on the perimeter. But the worry is his lack of physicality. He’s going to need to put on 20-plus pounds of muscle to do what he wants on the floor. And I also don’t fully trust the shooting from 3, which will be a key skill for him to hit on. Grade: B+
3. Houston Rockets (via Nets): PG Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
Sheppard exceeded all expectations at Kentucky and became one of the most efficient freshmen in the country. Now he goes to the Rockets, a team that was seen as having interest in several players but chooses to add to their young backcourt with much-needed marksman shooting. At worst, he’s an extraordinary role player, but you’d hope for a higher ceiling at third overall. I worry about the extreme shooting being an outlier since he wasn’t as good in…
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