2024 NBA draft: Top prospects, rankings, best available players for second round

With the first pick of the 2024 NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected Zaccharie Risacher, a promising forward from JL Bourg in France. This selection underscores the growing influence of French players in the NBA, following the footsteps of other notable French athletes in the league. Risacher’s selection as the top pick highlights his potential and the high expectations placed upon him by the Hawks.

As the draft moves into the second round, several highly touted prospects are still available. Notable players include Johnny Furphy from Kansas, Kyle Filipowski from Duke, and Tyler Kolek from Marquette. These players were expected to be picked in the first round, indicating that there is still considerable talent left for teams to acquire.

Johnny Furphy, a standout player from Kansas, remains undrafted as the draft heads into the second round. USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt had ranked Furphy as No. 18 in his pre-draft board, praising his ability to run the court well, finish in transition, and knock down spot-up 3s. Furphy was one of 21 players invited to the green room for the first round, making his availability in the second round a significant opportunity for teams.

The NBA draft event took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with the second round being broadcasted from ESPN’s Manhattan studio. Fans can watch the draft on ESPN and ABC, or stream it via ESPN+, YouTube TV, and fuboTV. This multi-platform coverage ensures that fans do not miss any of the action, whether they are watching the event live or catching up later.

Zach Edey, a highly regarded player from Purdue, has not yet been drafted. Despite being considered a late first-round talent, Edey’s availability in the second round presents a valuable opportunity for teams seeking a dominant center. The Portland Trail Blazers have shown particular interest, having recently worked him out and expressed high regard for his abilities.

Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, is not expected to be selected in the first round. However, the Lakers, holding the 55th pick, may select him if he remains available. Other teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, and Toronto Raptors, have also shown interest in drafting Bronny to potentially attract LeBron in free agency.

There are several trade rumors circulating, particularly involving high-profile players like Kevin Durant. A notable rumor involves the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets engaging in draft pick swaps. If the Rockets select Donovan Clingan with the No. 3 overall pick, they could offer Alperen Sengun and the picks acquired from Brooklyn to the Suns in exchange for Kevin Durant.

Despite various speculations and potential trade offers, the Atlanta Hawks have made it clear that they will not entertain any trades for their No. 1 overall pick. Their commitment to selecting Zaccharie Risacher as the top pick signifies their confidence in his potential to significantly contribute to the team’s success in the future.