Who will be No. 1 pick in 2024 NBA Draft?: Why there is no consensus on top pick in 2024

The 2024 NBA Draft is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing drafts in recent memory.

This year’s draft season kicked off with a bang when the Hawks defied the odds, moving up nine spots to snag the No. 1 overall pick despite starting with just the 10th best odds. Unfortunately for Atlanta, they claimed the top spot in a year without a clear-cut, must-have prospect.

To cut the Hawks some slack, following in the footsteps of last year’s No. 1 pick, Victor Wembanyama, is no easy task. Even the previous year, there was last-minute buzz about whether Paolo Banchero or Jabari Smith Jr. would be the first pick. In hindsight, Banchero was the right choice, but opinions were divided at the time.

While the 2024 draft class boasts plenty of talent, the absence of a unanimous, can’t-miss top prospect has sparked debate over who truly deserves the No. 1 slot.

Here’s why this year’s draft lacks a consensus top pick.

 

Who will be No. 1 pick in 2024 NBA Draft?

The 2024 NBA Draft is one for the books, not because of a standout star, but due to the sheer unpredictability surrounding the top pick and Atlanta’s needs.

France’s Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher are generally seen as the top two prospects, with Sarr often getting the slight nod. However, the plot thickens as Yahoo’s Jake Fischer reports that Sarr and his camp have no desire to be picked first overall by the Hawks, citing Atlanta as a poor fit for his development.

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This uncertainty leaves the Hawks in a tricky spot. While Sarr is highly rated, his reluctance to join Atlanta disrupts what could have been a straightforward decision. Alongside Risacher, other prospects like Serbia’s Nikola Topic, Connecticut’s Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, and Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard are in the mix, yet none have the definitive appeal of a typical No. 1 pick.

If Atlanta decides to trade their first overall pick, a different team might step in to draft a player that better fits their needs. The absence of a consensus top prospect opens the door for a variety of trade scenarios, making this draft more unpredictable than any in recent memory.

The 2024 NBA Draft class brings a level of unpredictability not seen in over a decade, promising plenty of drama and intrigue come draft night.