The 2024 NBA Draft Class in Review

The 2024 NBA class had lots of incredible talent, but will eternally have to live in the shadow of the 2023 class (Victor Wembanyama’s year). Now, as we get into the second half of the season, and have seen all these rookies play, it’s time to make some conclusions. 5 Best Rookies from the Class (Not in Order) Jared McCain Jared McCain is averaging the most points out of any rookie from the 2024-25 class. McCain is living in the shadows though, as his team (The Philadelphia 76ers) is struggling at the 11 seed, despite bringing in Paul George to create their big three during the off-season. On any other team, his talent would be manifest, his team just isn’t doing as well as expected. Stephon Castle Riding high after winning the NCAA national championship, Stephon Castle carried the momentum into the NBA. Castle is leading the class in Rookie of the Year votes, and is one of the most explosive guards in the league. Pairing up with Victor Wembanyama and CP3, his team’s talent is incredibly high. If De’Aaron Fox comes (which rumors say he wants to), Castle’s team may evolve into a contender, which would be phenomenal for this young player. Dalton Knecht After being a National Player of the Year contender and losing to Zach Edey, Knecht fell surprisingly low in the draft, but earned a spot on the Lakers with Lebron James. The explosive and physical aspect of his game elevated his skills to earn him the sixth man spot on the greatest franchise of all time, The Lakers, as a rookie. Bub Carrington After an outstanding season at Pittsburg, the Wizards traded away Deni Avdija to be able to draft Carleton (Bub) Carrington. A youthful guard, Bub is a versatile talent that any team would want. Turning steals into transition buckets, and being a calm playmaker, Carrington is exceeding all expectations. Bub will be a cornerstone in the Wizard’s rebuild. Kel’el Ware Excelling at the second string center role for Miami, Ware is putting up strong stats for a late first round pick. Standing at 7’0”, and weighing 230 pounds, the top talent from Oregon is making his mark in Florida. Averaging about 8 points, and just under 5 boards a game, every team should regret sleeping on him in the draft. Biggest Bust Reed Sheppard Everybody thought Sheppard would be the final piece necessary to make Houston a contender, and Houston is at the top of the West, but Sheppard had nothing to do with it. Averaging 3 points a game on 32% shooting, he is nowhere close to what Houston hoped when they took him at number 3. Watching his hopes for ROTY slowly fade, Sheppard was lowered to the G League by the franchise that had ever-lasting faith in him. Sheppard is starting to look like Johnny Davis in Washington, but hopefully he will turn his career around. Biggest Sleeper Dalton Knecht Projected to go around 7th, Knecht fell 10 spots in the draft, before the Lakers took him for their team at 17th. Averaging just under 10 points a game, Los Angeles is trusting him with 20.9 minutes a game - eighth on his team. Dalton Knecht has played the most games this season out of any Laker. He has perfect attendance, 45/45. With a large portion of his team's starters injured right now, a lot will come down to his performance if the Lakers want play-off berth. Knecht is proving to everyone that he was a better player than everyone thought, and nearly every GM is kicking themselves.