7 Biggest Storylines Heading Into the 2024 NBA Draft

The 2024 NBA Draft is this week, apparently, and from everything I see and hear, it’s one of the worst drafts of all time, which always seems strange to label 60 kids as mediocre players but I’m sure some All-Stars are hiding in plain sight here.

Here are the 7 biggest storylines heading into the 2024 NBA Draft:

1. What will Atlanta do with the No. 1 overall pick?

All signs are pointing to Atlanta drafting big man, Donovan Clingan, from Connecticut to create a dynamic pick-and-roll tandem with Trae Young but Trae may not even be on the roster when the next season starts.

Trae Young and Dejounte Murray cannot play basketball together.

Maybe Atlanta attaches the no. 1 pick with Trae or Dejounte to go out and get a star to pair with whichever guard survives the wreckage.

I reckon it depends on the Hawks goals. If they want to start a rebuild, they could draft someone at no. 1 and still trade Trae or Dejounte for young talent and build around this number-one pick.

Personally, I’d trade this pick for a guy. I will never forget the Golden State Warriors using the 2020 no. 2 pick on James Wiseman instead of attaching that pick with Andrew Wiggins’s salary and getting a legit star to pair with Steph Curry while Klay Thompson forgets to shoot and Draymond Green slaps, punches and kicks any European-born player in his line of sight.

2. Is Zach Edey good?

Zach Edey is a 7-foot-2, 300-pound Frankenstein who won back-to-back Player of the Year trophies at Purdue. College basketball is a different sport compared to the NBA. A gigantic ogre-like Edey would get ran off the floor attempting to play against a team like the Indiana Pacers.

But size, as far as I know, cannot be taught so he will have value even if he can’t guard anyone on the perimeter and moves like he’s wearing socks on wet grass. Plus, he has shooting touch and may develop into an unstoppable offensive force.

3. Marcus Smart to Houston?

If you keep your ears to the NBA streets, you catch stray rumors here and there like Rockets head coach, Ime Udoka, wanting a reunion with former Celtics point guard, Marcus Smart. Memphis would trade Marcus Smart along with their no. 9 pick to the Houston Rockets for no. 3.

The move makes sense for Houston. Marcus Smart is better than whoever they’d end up selecting at no. 3 and it looks like the Rockets are ready to be a playoff team. The rebuild is ending and it’s time to get more playable veterans.

As far as Memphis’s side, I’d like to see what Smart looks like next to Ja Morant but the Grizzlies also just need more, competent rotation players. Ja is only 24. Memphis could draft a couple lottery picks and have a fun, dynamic young team. Would love to see Ja with a bunch of young men to mold.

4. Where does Bronny James land?

I waited as long as I could before talking about LeBron’s son who, based on everything I’ve read, is just Frank Ntilikina with a mansion and Drake’s contact info. At the same time, scouts are weirdos who also want attention and for their takes to be unique so shitting on Bronny James may give them the eyes they’re desperately seeking.

Having watched Jalen Brunson turn into an MVP candidate, I’d exclusively be drafting former NBA players’ sons. Bronny has been under a microscope since his birth. He may not turn into a superstar but he could be a valuable rotation player for most teams and maybe raise some ticket prices in Utah or Detroit.

5. Is anyone watching the 2nd day of the draft?

The 2024 NBA Draft will air two nights for the first time ever. The first round is Wednesday night and you have to tune back in on Thursday for the second round. This is the least talented draft in years and ESPN is asking us to come back the next night for a second round full of guys who won’t play in the NBA.

I pray this second round sees literally zero viewers so the NBA never tries this shit again. Get your shit together, Adam Silver.

6. Alexandre Sarr sentenced to death

Alexandre Sarr refused to workout with the Atlanta Hawks which I understand. It’s odd these players are forced to play places they have no say in but I could talk all day about how silly the idea of a draft even is. But this is the structure we’re stuck in and good for Sarr for yielding the little power he has, although if I were the Hawks and I wanted Sarr, I’d just draft him regardless of whether or not he worked out for me.

Alexandre Sarr is # 1 on every 2024 NBA Mock draft for a reason!!!! 🔥🔥🔥

From: France 🇫🇷
Height: 7’1
Age: 18

The Wemby / Chet Build just created another player pic.twitter.com/VCLKl6gTIk

— Hoop Fiends 🏀💉 (@hoopfiends) January 7, 2024

But Sarr should be careful what he wishes for because he may end up being drafted by the Washington Wizards and stuck in NBA hell playing for an organization that has no idea how to win basketball games and may not even be interested in doing so.

Or perhaps Sarr is such a force that he singlehandedly gets the franchise back on track. Laugh out loud.

7. Where will we turn for recaps without JJ Redick podcasting?

JJ Redick is officially the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Congrats to him but bad news for those who listened to his podcast, a rare NBA show where people actually talked about basketball without attempting to go viral as someone like Gilbert Arenas does every day, intentionally saying flagrant nonsense so his name stays relevant.

Guess I’ll have to tune into to Stephen A. Smith’s post-draft pod for expert insight.

Kelly Stafford, what are you doing?! pic.twitter.com/765JiQT6Y4

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 22, 2024

Sports media is in hell.

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Are you ready for the 2024 NBA Draft? Leave a comment below. Respond on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Or shoot me an email at Deadseriousmailbag@gmail.com. Let’s chat, bay-beeeee. Let me know what you think Atlanta will do with the no. 1 pick.