The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft has come to an end, and while the trade is not shocking, there are always a few new stars rising to surprise all fans.
Let's take a look back at the top five surprises from the first-round draft and see what the second round will bring.
1. Zach Eddie
The biggest surprise in the first round was when the Grizzlies picked Zach Eddie with the ninth pick.
Originally, Eddie's prediction was outside the lotto zone, hovering between 15 and 18. However, the Grizzlies unexpectedly drafted him early.
Despite critics pointing out Eddie's lack of three-point shooting ability, his style of play seems to be stuck in the '80s, and his speed and athleticism are questionable. But the 7-foot-4-inch, 300-pound center may be able to find a place in Memphis and be a deterrent on the inside.
2. Ron Holland
Ron Holland was drafted by the Pistons with the fifth pick, which was much higher than he had originally anticipated.
As an athletic wing, Holland will undoubtedly inject new energy and defensive intensity into the Pistons. But he was woefully lacking in three-point shooting, shooting just 27.3 percent from three-point range during his time with the G League Ignite, but that didn't dampen the Pistons' confidence in him.
The Pistons could have chosen a player who could provide more outside firepower instead of a player of similar size to Osar Thompson, but they chose to believe in Holland's potential.
The Pistons are a young team that is rebuilding and is a good place to go for young players. In a rebuilt Detroit, Holland will have plenty of time and space to hone his skills.
3. Rob Dillingham
The Spurs selected Rob Dillingham with the eighth pick, which was undoubtedly another surprise.
Dillingham is solid on the ball, good at playmaking, and an excellent three-point shooter. Importantly, he played at the University of Kentucky as a guard. Think of the successful guards who came out of the University of Kentucky — Jamal Murray, Gilgeois-Alexander, Quickley, Booker, Herro, Fox, Maxey, and so on, each of whom is a shining star in the NBA.
For the Timberwolves, as Mike Conley ages, they are in dire need of a future core guard who can take over the baton. If Dillingham can cash in on his basketball talent as expected, the Timberwolves' future is limitless, and they could even make it to the Finals quickly. From that perspective, this draft is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment.
However, the price the Timberwolves have paid for Dillingham should not be underestimated. Not only did they give away a protected 2030 draft pick, but also an unprotected 2031 first-round pick. In the face of the unknowns of 2030, this decision is undoubtedly fraught with risks. If the Timberwolves don't have a good record by then, they could miss out on a high draft pick for the second year in a row, which would undoubtedly be a heavy blow.
Of course, if Dillingham can be the star player that the team is looking for, all the risk and effort will be worth it. But if it backfires, the Timberwolves may become the next Nets and the laughing stock of the world.
4. Matas Bouzelis
In this year's draft, Matas Bouzelis unexpectedly slipped to the 11th pick, which was undoubtedly a big upset.
When the 2023 draft was first predicted, Buzelis was seen as a strong contender for the future No. 1 pick, or at least a top-three talent. Despite subsequent changes in predictions, Bouzelis remained firmly in the top 10 of the draft, even between 5 and 7 on multiple occasions.
For Bouzelis, though, the 11th pick wasn't bad. He was drafted by the Bulls in his hometown of Chicago, which means he will have the opportunity to play for his hometown team, which is a dream for many NBA rookies. This opportunity has undoubtedly injected more passion into him.
Historically, defenders like Tyrese Haliburton and Klay Thompson have achieved remarkable feats even when they were drafted at the end of the lottery, and Bouzelis may be the next such example.
5. Dalton Knecht
For the Lakers, being able to sign Dalton Knecht is undoubtedly a great deal.
Knecht was originally seen as a favorite in the lottery area, but in the end he unexpectedly slipped to the 17th pick, just in time to be picked up by the Lakers.
Knecht, now 23, transferred to the University of Northern Colorado for two years after completing his studies at junior college. In his final year at the University of Tennessee, Knecht became an excellent three-point shooter.
It is worth mentioning that after graduating from high school, Knecht did not receive any college invitations, which made him accustomed to being ignored. But now that the Lakers have acquired an instant force similar to Austin Reaves, who is expected to share the load with James and Davis on the court, JJ Redick will undoubtedly be overjoyed by his arrival.
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