Wizards pick sets tone as Castle outshines Risacher

With the 2024 NBA draft already getting a two-year rewind, the re-draft turns on one glaring shift: Stephon Castle, once drafted No. 4, now looks like the missing piece that could have pushed multiple teams in different directions—while top pick Zaccharie Risa

When the NBA draft clock starts Tuesday with the Wizards on the clock. Washington’s next move feels immediate—like it could age well fast. or sour just as quickly. The team will choose between AJ Dybantsa. Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. a decision that lands in a tough Eastern Conference and comes with the pressure of trying to turn the franchise’s direction.

It’s the same tension fans saw around the 2024 NBA draft—only there, the debate is already two years old. That draft became known for the absence of a true superstar who stood out. Now the story looks different. Stephon Castle, the No. 4 pick, won Rookie of the Year and helped Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs reach the Finals this season.

So what happens when the league’s outcomes get rewritten with what we know now? A re-draft of all 30 first-round picks puts Castle and Risacher’s careers into direct contrast—and forces every team to ask the same question: if you could do it again, would you change the first domino?

1. Atlanta Hawks
Original pick: Zaccharie Risacher (Wing. France)
Re-draft pick: Stephon Castle (Guard. UConn)
Risacher is described as a fine player for Atlanta. but the re-draft frames the Hawks’ original choice as a missed chance at a top-tier guard. The French wing was viewed as a strong upside play at a coveted position with potential as a top 3-and-D type. Even with some regression in year two. he’s still listed as 21 years old with room to develop alongside Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.

2. Washington Wizards
Original pick: Alex Sarr (Center. France)
Re-draft pick: Alex Sarr (Center. France)
Washington keeps the same pick in the re-draft. Sarr is credited with quickly becoming one of the best rim protectors in the league. positioned to fit alongside whoever Washington selects with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.

3. Houston Rockets
Original pick: Reed Sheppard (Guard. Kentucky)
Re-draft pick: Reed Sheppard (Guard. Kentucky)
Sheppard is another pick presented as aging well. The re-draft notes he averaged 13.5 points per game last season while shooting 39.4% on 7.0 three-point attempts per game. He’s described as a super small guard whose shooting was always his standout skill. with this past year’s shot improving further than expected. He’s also listed as a decent facilitator for Houston and “untouchable” as a roster piece.

4. San Antonio Spurs
Original pick: Stephon Castle (Guard. UConn)
Re-draft pick: Matas Buzelis (Wing. G League Ignite)
The Spurs’ re-draft direction moves away from Castle. With Castle. De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper adding crowding to the Spurs’ guard room. the re-draft suggests they’d look for a high-flying wing next to Wembanyama. It turns to Matas Buzelis. who had a strong past season with the Bulls and is now described as a core piece for Chicago in its rebuild.

5. Detroit Pistons
Original pick: Ron Holland (Wing. G League Ignite)
Re-draft pick: Kel’el Ware (Center. Indiana)
Holland is said to have fallen out of the Pistons’ rotation in the playoffs. Detroit’s re-draft leans toward Ware as a floor-spacing big man. The re-draft points to Ware shooting 39.5% from three-point range for the Heat this past season and emphasizes that his length creates pressure near the rim. It also notes Detroit has All-Star center Jalen Duren. and frames Ware’s shooting as something that could ease space for Cade Cunningham along with Ausar Thompson.

6. Charlotte Hornets
Original pick: Tidjane Salaün (Wing. France)
Re-draft pick: Donovan Clingan (Center. UConn)
Clingan is described as a top rebounder. averaging more rebounds than any player last year aside from Nikola Jokić and Karl-Anthony Towns. Salaün is characterized as not much of a factor for Charlotte. with the Hornets’ breakout connected to LaMelo Ball. Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. The re-draft still gives Salaün time since he’s only 20. but argues Charlotte could benefit greatly from Clingan down low.

7. Portland Trail Blazers
Original pick: Donovan Clingan (Center. UConn)
Re-draft pick: Ajay Mitchell (Guard. UC Santa Barbara)
Mitchell lands in Portland as the re-draft replacement for Clingan. The re-draft says Mitchell ended up with the Thunder as the 38th pick in the 2024 draft. where he looked like a star alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City’s second-round sweep of the Lakers. It credits Mitchell with dropping 28 points in the close-out game and averaging 22.5 points over the four-game series. It then mentions he suffered a calf strain that held him out of the last four games of the Western Conference finals against the Spurs.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves (via San Antonio)
Original pick: Rob Dillingham (Guard. Kentucky)
Re-draft pick: Jared McCain (Guard. Duke)
The re-draft moves Dillingham for McCain. It says McCain was originally drafted by the 76ers as the No. 16 pick and was traded to Oklahoma City for “peanuts” at the trade deadline. He’s described as another postseason standout for the Thunder. knocking down huge shots and putting up numbers off the bench.

9. Memphis Grizzlies
Original pick: Zach Edey (Center. Purdue)
Re-draft pick: Isaiah Collier (Guard. USC)
Edey remains a “good pick” in the re-draft but the argument is about fit and timing. The re-draft notes Edey missed the great majority of the past season due to injury after a strong rookie year. and it questions whether Memphis could use a lead guard amid Ja Morant chaos. Collier is credited as the best passer in his draft class and framed as improving whether that happens in Utah or elsewhere.

10. Utah Jazz
Original pick: Cody Williams (Wing. Colorado)
Re-draft pick: Kyshawn George (Wing. Miami)
Williams is described as struggling over the first two seasons of his career. and the re-draft suggests Utah could have less opportunity left as it tries to get out of the rebuild. Kyshawn George is presented as a strong alternative picked by Washington with the No. 24 pick, credited as a strong three-point shooter who can score near the rim and pass too.

11. Chicago Bulls
Original pick: Matas Buzelis (Wing. G League Ignite)
Re-draft pick: Jaylen Wells (Wing. Washington State)
The re-draft shifts focus to Jaylen Wells. It states the Grizzlies took Wells with the No. 39 pick and he finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. Wells is said to have improved slightly in his second season and become a key piece for Memphis through the chaotic past two years. The re-draft frames his performance with the Bulls as something that may be opportunity-driven. but still argues he’s clearly been good in his first two seasons.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Original pick: Nikola Topić (Guard. Serbia)
Re-draft pick: Zaccharie Risacher (Wing. France)
This is one of the sharpest swaps. and it comes with a personal timeline. The re-draft says the Thunder’s first-round pick navigated a difficult start: Topić missed his first season due to an ACL tear. then missed the bulk of last season after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. It describes his NBA debut as an emotional moment and notes he still has plenty of runway ahead.

By contrast, Risacher is framed as someone who could play a bench role for a league powerhouse with less pressure than he currently has as a former No. 1 pick.

13. Sacramento Kings
Original pick: Devin Carter (Guard. Providence)
Re-draft pick: Kyle Filipowski (Center. Duke)
Sacramento’s re-draft says it needs talent. and leans on Filipowski’s flashes with the Jazz. It notes he started 41 games and had five performances with 25 points or more. Filipowski is described as a versatile big man with length. even if his draft measurements “weren’t the best. ” and as having scoring pop that can help any team.

14. Washington Wizards (via Portland)
Original pick: Bub Carrington (Guard. Pittsburgh)
Re-draft pick: Bub Carrington (Guard. Pittsburgh)
Carrington keeps his slot in the re-draft. It states he has the fourth-most points of anyone in his rookie class and that his production has come on a tanking team. The re-draft says he has serious wiggle and remaining upside that could keep him among the best scorers from the 2024 draft.

15. Miami Heat
Original pick: Kel’el Ware (Center. Indiana)
Re-draft pick: Zach Edey (Center. Purdue)
Edey’s re-draft case centers on the injury timeline. The re-draft says injuries held Edey to just 11 games in his second season. but that he had a great rookie year after the Grizzlies jumped for him in the draft. It flags long-term injury concerns as the biggest question, while emphasizing that when available, he can dominate with his size.

16. Philadelphia 76ers
Original pick: Jared McCain (Guard, Duke)
Re-draft pick: Daniss Jenkins (Guard, St. John’s)
Jenkins is credited with breaking out this past season with the Pistons. The re-draft notes he went undrafted in 2024. then worked his way from a two-way contract into a full roster spot. and most recently became a critical piece of Detroit’s playoff rotation. It describes him as fearless and able to knock down big shots. with a potential growing role on an Eastern Conference contender.

17. Los Angeles Lakers
Original pick: Dalton Knecht (Wing. Tennessee)
Re-draft pick: Ron Holland (Wing. G League Ignite)
Holland is brought back into the Lakers’ re-draft. The re-draft calls him a former top-five pick who had been lauded as a top prospect. emphasizing he still has plenty of upside. It also says he fell out of the Pistons’ playoff rotation after playing a decent chunk of minutes in his sole playoff series as a rookie against the Knicks.

18. Orlando Magic
Original pick: Tristan da Silva (Forward. Colorado)
Re-draft pick: Tristan da Silva (Forward. Colorado)
The Magic keep da Silva in the re-draft. describing him as an experienced college prospect who has helped the team as it looks to contend in the East. The re-draft says he remains solid on both ends. can knock down threes. and can serve as a starter for Orlando when Franz Wagner is unavailable.

19. Toronto Raptors
Original pick: Ja’Kobe Walter (Guard. Baylor)
Re-draft pick: Jamal Shead (Guard. Baylor)
Shead is described as fitting as a bench piece for any team. The re-draft credits him with being a good facilitator. an active defender. and a scorer when needed. arguing that he has turned into a great pick for the Raptors who can step up when called upon.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers
Original pick: Jaylon Tyson (Guard, California)
Re-draft pick: Jaylon Tyson (Guard, California)
Tyson stays with Cleveland. The re-draft says he thrives as a fourth or fifth starter or a key bench player. It describes his defensive tenacity as a true agitator who can also put the ball in the hoop. It adds that he wasn’t in Cleveland’s rotation as a rookie. but started in 42 of his 66 appearances this past season and averaged 13.5 points per game on a team that made it to the Eastern Conference finals.

21. New Orleans Pelicans
Original pick: Yves Missi (Center. Baylor)
Re-draft pick: Cam Spencer (Guard. UConn)
Missi is kept as a “good pick. ” but the re-draft argues the Pelicans should choose Spencer instead. It says Missi’s defensive value remains part of why he was selected. while Spencer brings energy after New Orleans dealt Jose Alvarado to the Knicks at the trade deadline. Spencer is described as an older player for his draft class who wasn’t picked until No. 53, yet shined past his draft status with the Grizzlies across his first two seasons.

22. Denver Nuggets (via Phoenix)
Original pick: DaRon Holmes II (Forward. Dayton)
Re-draft pick: Ryan Dunn (Wing. Virginia)
The re-draft explains that the Suns initially traded this pick and landed Dunn later in the first round. It says Dunn exceeds expectations and frames him as the best defender in his draft class. while noting his offensive limitations haven’t held him down as much as initially anticipated.

23. Milwaukee Bucks
Original pick: AJ Johnson (Guard, Illawarra Hawks, Australia)
Re-draft pick: Terrence Shannon Jr. (Guard, Illinois)
The Bucks’ original upside swing becomes a cautionary tale in the re-draft. Johnson is said to have been traded around from the Bucks to the Wizards and then to the Mavericks. and the re-draft says he’s yet to find his footing. Shannon is credited with eye-popping moments in Minnesota and is described as bringing a scoring punch off the bench when he’s available.

24. Washington Wizards (via New York)
Original pick: Kyshawn George (Wing. Miami)
Re-draft pick: Baylor Scheierman (Wing. Creighton)
This re-draft move is about shooting. It notes the Wizards no longer have Corey Kispert, and it points to Scheierman’s role expansion with the Celtics. The re-draft says Scheierman was thrust into more minutes. started at times. and shot 39.9% from three last season on over three attempts per game. It frames Scheierman as a strong add because every team looks for more shooters.

25. New York Knicks
Original pick: Pacôme Dadiet (Wing. France)
Re-draft pick: Pelle Larsson (Guard. Arizona)
Dadiet is described as not having done much for the Knicks. and the re-draft contrasts that with what the Knicks have already won: “not like they need him to step up” as the newest NBA champions. Larsson, however, is credited with stepping into a big role for the Heat as a second-round pick. The re-draft says he started 54 games last season and averaged 11.4 points. 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. presenting him as a potential depth piece for New York in relief of Josh Hart. Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby.

26. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Washington and New York)
Original pick: Dillon Jones (Guard. Weber State)
Re-draft pick: Yves Missi (Center. Baylor)
The re-draft says the Thunder traded back into the first round for Jones. who now has two NBA titles in his first two seasons after going from Oklahoma City to New York. But it also says Jones hasn’t gotten much opportunity on the court. and Missi could bring the Thunder an over-qualified third center who could help off the bench—especially if they can’t bring back Isaiah Hartenstein next season.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves
Original pick: Terrence Shannon Jr. (Guard. Illinois)
Re-draft pick: Ja’Kobe Walter (Guard. Baylor)
Walter is credited as a highly touted prospect during his only season at Baylor who fell in the draft. The re-draft points to last season with Toronto. saying he hit 15 or more points in 11 games and is a good bench scorer. It highlights his upside at age 21 and room to grow.

28. Phoenix Suns (via Denver)
Original pick: Ryan Dunn (Wing. Virginia)
Re-draft pick: Quinten Post (Center. Boston College)
Phoenix is said to have ended up with Oso Ighodaro later in the draft. with a different skill set than Post. Ighodaro is framed as an offensive hub thanks to passing ability. while Post is described as better at spacing the floor. The re-draft argues that big men who can shoot are hard to find and come at a premium. so the Suns bet on Post. who has stepped up for the Warriors when needed over his first two seasons.

29. Utah Jazz
Original pick: Isaiah Collier (Guard. USC)
Re-draft pick: Rob Dillingham (Guard. Kentucky)
This re-draft brings Dillingham back from a rocky start. The re-draft says it isn’t ready to give up on him yet. pointing to his quick twitch and scoring ability. It also says that hasn’t translated to the next level yet. noting he wasn’t given much opportunity in Minnesota before being traded to Chicago. where his increased minutes helped but he still hasn’t been efficient enough to become a long-term NBA player.

30. Boston Celtics
Original pick: Baylor Scheierman (Wing. Creighton)
Re-draft pick: Adem Bona (Center. UCLA)
The Celtics’ re-draft answer is a center. It says the biggest question is their center spot, even with Neemias Queta’s strong play. Bona is described as someone who could be the No. 2 and potentially even a starter depending on a positional battle. The re-draft says Bona has grown with the 76ers after being the No. 41 pick in the draft, describing him as a great shot blocker who can jump out of the gym. It frames Bona as somewhat similar to Queta, offering depth in a key positional hole.

Between the Griffins of career arcs and the swings in fit. one thing runs through the entire re-draft: the league doesn’t only draft talent—it drafts timing. Castle’s ascent. Risacher’s comparative runway. and the way injuries and opportunity shaped several players’ first two years show how quickly teams can end up looking back at a decision that didn’t match the outcome they wanted.

Tuesday’s draft begins again. with the Wizards on the clock and a trio of top prospects—AJ Dybantsa. Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer—waiting at No. 1. The debate over the 2024 class has already turned into a mirror. Every pick is now framed not just as hope. but as a future argument—one that won’t wait two years to begin.

2024 NBA draft re-draft Stephon Castle Zaccharie Risacher Washington Wizards AJ Dybantsa Darryn Peterson Cameron Boozer Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama NBA mock re-draft