NBA GMs were desperately hoping their team won the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery, as Victor Wembanyama was the prize awaiting them. Fast forward a year later, and a GM says winning the lottery this year might end up leading to someone getting fired.
“This is an absolutely awful draft," an NBA GM told Jeff Goodman. "There’s no guy that projects as a franchise player, no one that even stands out as the No. 1 pick. This is the type of draft that gets someone fired if they get the No. 1 pick.”
This 2024 draft class was never really seen as a great one at any point. There is no one like Wembanyama in it, with fellow Frenchman Alex Sarr being projected to be the No. 1 pick.
The player Sarr, who last played for the Perth Wildcats in the NBL, has been compared to is Jaren Jackson Jr., and while Jackson is a very good player, he isn't exactly a superstar who will lead the Memphis Grizzlies to championships. The likes of Zaccharie Risacher and Rob Dillingham are projected to go fairly high as well and neither is considered to be a franchise player.
We have seen plenty of surprises in the draft over the years, though. Players who were not supposed to amount to much have turned out to be great, so I wouldn't completely give up on this class just yet.
As for who has the best shot at winning this draft lottery, which will be held on May 12, 2024, it is the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards. They both have a 14% chance and are followed by the Portland Trail Blazers (13.3%) and Charlotte Hornets (13.2%).
Which Is The Worst Draft Class In NBA History?
While I said we have seen some pleasant surprises in the draft over the years, there have been some truly woeful classes over the years. The worst of the lot has to be 2000, as it had only three players who became All-Stars.
Kenyon Martin, Jamaal Magloire, and Michael Redd were the three, and all of them only made one All-Star team as well. There weren't all that many good role players that were part of that draft either, as Jamal Crawford, Hedo Turkoglu, and Quentin Richardson were really the only other players of note.
I think while this 2024 class might not have a franchise player, it at least has a lot of players who could be quality starters in the NBA. So, while maybe the teams picking at the top might end up being disappointed, the ones picking a bit lower might not be.
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