The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft has concluded, bringing a mix of predictable selections and surprising moves, setting the stage for an eventful second round on Thursday. Among the most notable developments, the New York Knicks have been particularly active, making key acquisitions and strategic trades that could reshape their future.
Mikal Bridges Joins the Knicks
On Tuesday, the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges, a player renowned for his defensive prowess and three-point shooting. Bridges’ addition is expected to bolster the Knicks' perimeter defense and provide a reliable scoring option from beyond the arc. The team did not stop there; ensuring they retained another crucial defensive asset, the Knicks re-signed OG Anunoby just a day later. With these moves, the Knicks have significantly reinforced their defense, which could prove crucial as they aim for a deeper playoff run in the upcoming season.
Strategic Trades and Draft Picks
In a strategic maneuver, the Knicks traded one of their first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for five second-round picks. This trade reflects a long-term strategy, providing the Knicks with multiple opportunities to find and develop talent in the upcoming rounds and drafts. It’s a bet on the future, leveraging additional picks to possibly find hidden gems.
The Knicks’ other first-round pick, used to select Pacome Dadiet at No. 25, demonstrates the team's belief in Dadiet’s potential to contribute to their roster. Meanwhile, other teams were active with notable selections and trades. The Los Angeles Lakers picked Dalton Knecht at No. 17, defying projections that had him within the top 10. This selection marks a potential steal for the Lakers, given Knecht’s expected to earn $18.5 million over his first four years, significantly less than the $34 million he would have secured as a top 10 pick.
Top Picks and Surprises
The Atlanta Hawks made headlines by selecting Zaccharie Risacher as the No. 1 overall pick. Risacher, poised to earn approximately $57 million over his first four seasons, brings high expectations and potential to the Hawks' roster. Alex Sarr followed as the No. 2 pick, adding another young talent to the draft’s upper echelon.
Tidjane Salaun, selected No. 6 overall by the Charlotte Hornets, and Donovan Clingan, picked at No. 7 by the Portland Trail Blazers, also marked significant additions for their respective teams. The Memphis Grizzlies’ selection of Zach Edey at No. 9 concluded the top 10, with each team hoping their choices will make substantial impacts on their future success.
The Spurs' Bold Move
One of the more intriguing moves came from the San Antonio Spurs. They selected Stephon Castle with the No. 4 pick but then decided to trade the rights to their No. 8 pick, Rob Dillingham, to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In return, the Spurs received an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a protected 2030 first-round swap. This decision is a calculated risk, banking on the potential future decline of the Timberwolves.
Sam Quinn aptly remarked, "You might be thinking: How valuable could the Wolves' 2030 and/or 2031 pick(s) be considering how good of a team they have? Well, that's over a half-decade from now." He further elaborated, "It might actually be smarter to bet on good teams right now falling off five or six years from now than bad teams still being bad that far down the road." These insights underscore the long game the Spurs are playing, echoing the philosophy that "The more you bet on other teams' picks, the better your chances of a few of them turning up golden."
As the second round approaches, teams will continue to refine their rosters with the hopes of finding undervalued talent. The Knicks' multi-faceted approach, the Lakers' potential steal, and the Spurs' future-focused trade all reflect the diverse strategies teams employ in their quest for NBA glory. With so many moves already made, the second round promises to be just as thrilling, as each team looks to round out their rosters with promising talent. The drama of the draft is far from over, and the stakes only get higher from here.