2024 NBA Draft Lottery Picks Do-Over

Living in a world of hindsight, knowing what we know now, things would look very different, including the 2024 NBA Draft. Here’s how the lottery picks should have gone down, based on what the following players did during their rookie year and so far into their sophomore seasons.

An elite two-way guard who has future All-Star written on him, Castle has been everything that the San Antonio Spurs hoped for when they selected him to pair up with Victor Wembanyama. Teaming Castle with Trae Young would have given the Hawks an explosive scoring backcourt and two playmaking guards. After averaging 14.7 points and 4.1 assists in his rookie season, Castle is dropping 17.3 points and 7.5 dimes in his sophomore year.

There hasn’t been much that the Wizards have gotten right over the past few years, but the selection of Sarr has been a good starting point. While he struggled with efficiency last season, this year has been much better (51% from 39%). Leading all second-year players with 18.3 points per game while showing the defensive versatility and three-point range that made him a top prospect, Washington looks to have a solid piece of its future.

Given that Reed Sheppard barely cracked the Rockets' lineup during his rookie season, averaging just 12 minutes and 4.4 points per game, the addition of the 7’4” Edey would have given the Rockets a rim protector who can also provide low-post scoring. While there were pre-draft concerns about his mobility, Edey has demonstrated his ability to average a double-double in the NBA.

While in real life they lucked out getting Castle at 4, in the redraft, the Spurs would have picked up a similar talent in McCain. Potentially the Rookie of the Year before a knee injury ended his season after just 23 games, McCain averaged 15 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds coming off the Sixers' bench. Those numbers would have likely been similar in San Antonio, where his versatility would have mirrored Castle’s partnership with Wemby.

As with Sarr in Washington, Holland makes sense as the Pistons' pick based on his upside. An athletic small forward who can defend multiple positions, Holland has shown improvement as a slasher and in transition. With the frontcourt already crowded and the point guard position already locked down, the Pistons' need for wing depth was evident.

The Hornets originally took a chance on a 6'9" power forward from France, but in the redraft, they would be better off taking Clingan to help their shaky center rotation. Currently a near double-double big man, Clingan would also provide a great pick-and-roll option for LaMelo Ball and rim protection with nearly 1.4 blocks per game, helping fill a need at both ends of the court.

Speaking of a double-double rim protector, the Blazers may have lost out on Clingan in this redraft, but they end up with a great alternative in Ware. More athletic than Clingan, Ware is also a slightly better three-point threat for a big man.

With their combo guard locked up, adding an NBA-ready shooter with athletic scoring ability in transition, Knecht would have wound up being a great fit alongside McCain, Wembanyama, and company. A 37% shooter from downtown, the fifth-year senior would have likely earned more than the 18 minutes per game he has played as a member of the Lakers, helping the young Spurs' starting unit.

Risacher, the actual #1 pick, had a decent, but unspectacular start to his career. He's settled into the Hawks' starting unit nicely and, as a sophomore, is averaging 12.9 points with improved efficiency and showing the two-way potential that made him the top prospect. The 6'8" wing's shooting stroke and defensive length would complement Ja Morant and the Grizzlies' core perfectly.

Cody Williams has been a complete bust for Utah, with more DNPs than meaningful minutes. Sheppard barely played as a rookie behind Houston's loaded backcourt but is finally getting playing time this season and showing why he was considered the draft's best shooter. His feel for the game, elite shooting mechanics, and defensive instincts suggest starter potential worth betting on at this spot.

The Bulls actually got this one right. Buzelis, the 6'9" forward with amazing upside, is averaging 15 points and 5.6 rebounds while flashing the versatile scoring and defensive potential that had him projected higher pre-draft. His ability to handle the ball, shoot from range, and defend multiple positions makes him exactly the type of modern forward Chicago needs. 

Nikola Topic tragically hasn't played due to a torn ACL and additional health issues. Instead, the Thunder would have used the redraft on Wells, who came out of nowhere as an undrafted guy and made First Team All-Rookie. The 6'8" wing from Washington State has been productive and efficient from day one, providing two-way contributions.

Carrington played all 82 games as a rookie, averaging 30 minutes with flashes of driving ability, playmaking, and perimeter defense. He's struggling with efficiency early in Year 2, but the foundation is there. For a Kings team that needs backcourt depth behind De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, Carrington's durability and defensive potential make him the safer pick.

George is quickly and quietly turning into one of the steals of the draft. The 6'8" wing struggled with efficiency as a rookie (8.7 PPG on 37% shooting) but showed flashes of versatility on both ends. Fast forward to Year 2, and he's exploding, averaging 17.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists with much-improved shooting. George's two-way ability and shooting upside would be a great fit on a young Portland team.