Many called the 2024 NBA Draft class weak, or suggested the lack of a sure thing at No. 1 meant the sum of the class would be modest or worse.
Two months into the season, things are different.
A retrospective on the ’24 draft might provide a narrative that too many teams reached and let true talent slip in the first round.
One example: Jared McCain is looking like an All-Star type player for the 76ers, and 15 teams passed on him.
Let’s take a look at the five best rookies following the first two months of the season.
Jared McCain, 76ers, No. 16 overall pick in 2024
Making the best of a bad situation in Philadelphia, McCain instead used it to his advantage.
With the Sixers battling injuries, McCain was handed plenty of playing time. In his first 22 games, McCain is averaging 15.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and almost a steal per game on efficient 46 percent shooting.
Through the first two months, McCain already had three games with 29-plus points.
McCain played well enough some Philly fans think he should start over Paul George. He still has a lot to prove as he becomes a scouting-report player teams are plotting to stop.
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Stephon Castle, Spurs, No. 4 overall pick
Castle is a high lottery pick, and expectations were high.
Under the tutelage of Chris Paul, Castle has received rare praise from people around the league. He’s filling his role and then some as a second option to Victor Wembanyama. His overall shooting numbers are not amazing, but he has outbursts where greatness is very evident such as 22 points against the Pelicans on 8-of-15 shooting.
A tenacious defender, Castle wants to make a mark on defense. The better scorer he becomes in the upcoming years, the higher the ceiling becomes for the Spurs.
Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks, No. 1 overall pick
Zaccharie has a comfortable situation in Atlanta. He doesn’t have to be the top option on the team and is probably closer to fifth or sixth.
Nevertheless, he is taking advantage when opposing teams overlook him entirely.
He is slowly becoming a better defender. On offense, he averages 11.6 points and rarely has huge production. His best single-game effort came against the New York Knicks early in November when he exploded for 33 points on 11-18 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks.
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Jaylen Wells, Grizzlies, No. 39 overall pick
Wells is the first Memphis player to win the Rookie of the Month award since Ja Morant. In Morant’s rookie season, he got the first three Rookie of the Month awards en route to his Rookie of the Year Award. Wells might not repeat Morant’s path but he’s a reason the Grizzlies look like a serious contender. Even with Marcus Smart back, Wells continues to start, even in Boston against the defending champions.
Dalton Knecht, Lakers, No. 17 overall pick
The highest-scoring game of any rookie, Knecht looked more like the Tennessee star of last year when he dropped 37 against the Utah Jazz. He got inserted in the starting lineup for that game and responded by becoming only the fourth Lakers player to drain nine 3sin a game.
Averaging 11 points on 39 percent shooting, Knecht was projected by many as a lottery pick before a draft-day slide.
He might not have been the best player in the draft, but he is in a perfect situation.