A new report on how awful this 2024 NBA Draft class is should send a cold chill down the spine of teams looking to move their first-round pick like the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers.
For most teams around the NBA, the offseason has begun and they are looking ahead to ways to improve their rosters for next season. For quite a few organizations in mid and small markets, the NBA Draft brings the most hope for short and long-term improvements. However, this year’s edition does not offer many reasons for positivity.
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There have been rumblings in recent weeks about how this is not a very strong draft class and the college basketball TV ratings for the men’s side this past season confirm the lack of star prospects. That is not good news for organizations like the Knicks, Lakers, Heat, and Suns who are hoping a first-round pick could hold value in a potential blockbuster trade.
On a new episode of The Ringer’s “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” long-time NBA talk show host Ryen Russillo revealed what some executives around the league have told him about this year’s NBA Draft and it is horrifying when it comes to the value of opening round selections in 2024.
“I heard from eight teams,” Russillo started by saying. “One team said it’s like the seventh or eighth pick — owning the first pick this year. I asked another team, ‘What kind of player could you get in a trade for the No. 1 pick,’ and he said maybe the fourth or fifth starter on a decent team … I had another guy say it’s like starting the draft at 10th. Then I asked somebody else, give me [comparables]. He was essentially saying this is like Derek Lively or Tobias Harris being the No. 1 pick in the draft.”
Also Read: To prospects in 2024 NBA Draft
The New York Knicks have two first-round picks in June and usually, those could have been valuable, but in a year where the No. 1 pick has lost profound value New York having the 24th and 25th picks is like having second-rounders in better years.
The Los Angeles Lakers have the 17th overall selection in the NBA Draft and the rumors are that they would like to use it in a blockbuster trade for a player like Hawks star Trae Young. That might be a lot harder than expected based on this report.
