Just How Good Is The 2024 NBA Draft Class?

How much merit is there to the claims that the 2024 NBA Draft Class is weak?

With the 2023 NBA Draft in the rearview, heads are turning to the incoming class of 2024. This year’s highly esteemed bunch, headlined by generational talent Victor Wembanyama and flanked by point guard sensation Scoot Henderson, will be difficult to follow up. However, many are claiming that the 2024 group is simply weak, regardless of their predecessor.

It’s easy to see why the 2024 draft class lacks the buzz that those of 2023, 2021, and 2019 received. Unlike Wembanyama, Cade Cunningham, and Zion Williamson, the 2024 class lacks a consensus top prospect to grab the attention of fans. Not only that, but this class also does not quite have talents like Henderson, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, and Ja Morant to compliment the top guy.

Instead, multiple players are vying for that number one spot - Ron Holland, Matas Buzelis, Isaiah Collier, and DJ Wagner to name a few. They are all in competition, but there isn’t one specific name that can yet be pushed to the general audience and represent the class.

Additionally, at this point, it would likely be a stretch to regard any of these guys on the level of top prospects in some recent draft classes.

However, this does not mean that these prospects are not extremely talented with high-end potential. A similar situation occurred in 2021 when Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball were fighting for the top spot in the draft. That class was labeled “weak” and neither Edwards nor Ball were commonly regarded as top-tier prospects, but now both are destined for superstardom.

Moreover, the 2024 class is loaded up with depth. The college returning class, in particular, is far stronger than it was last year. Names like Donovan Clingan, Riley Kugel, Tyrese Proctor, Adem Bona, and Kyle Flipowski are all great talents who can compete for a spot in the lottery.

While the 2024 draft class has the chance to be weaker than many of those of recent years, there are plenty of very good players who will foster successful NBA careers. There may not be a surefire superstar alone at the top, but there are multiple guys near the top who could all develop into that superstar. There’s a lower chance than normal that a team lands their future face of the franchise with the first pick, but also a higher chance they land them with the sixth. Also, the depth in this class is excellent, cementing it as far from a “weak” group of players. 

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