NBA Draft 2024 Rumors: Last-Minute Whispers Around Bronny James and All 30 Teams
The first round of the 2024 NBA draft arrives tonight.
The rumor mill is predictably bursting at the seams.
From trade plans to prospect targets, we're breaking down all the latest draft buzz here.
Atlanta Hawks Staying at No. 1?
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The Atlanta Hawks said they weren't planning to trade the No. 1 pick. And while conversations were seemingly had, it appears they weren't lying (or at least didn't like what they heard in those conversations).
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said during a Tuesday appearance on SportsCenter that the Hawks "look very much like they're going to keep that No. 1 pick" and are "not engaged with anybody about moving down."
Could the right kind of trade offer soften that stance? Perhaps, but in a class lacking clear high-end talent at the top, who is putting such an offer on the table?
The Hawks might prefer to use this pick over taking what's available on the trade market, and they have some targets in mind. They worked out Donovan Clingan and Matas Buzelis and remain "higher" on Alex Sarr than those two, per B/R's Jonathan Wasserman. In his final mock draft, Wasserman stuck with French swingman Zaccharie Risacher at the No. 1 spot.
Alex Sarr Heading to Washington?
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Consensus opinions have been hard to find during most of mock-draft season, but it feels like some are finally forming at the top. At this point, most credible mocks open with Risacher at the top and French big man Alex Sarr going right behind to the Washington Wizards at No. 2.
"Teams and agents believe that if the Atlanta Hawks don't draft Alex Sarr, the Washington Wizards will take him at No. 2," Wasserman wrote. "... Though some scouts and executives have questioned Sarr's offensive polish for a top pick, the Wizards are expected to be patient during its rebuild."
The Athletic's Sam Vecenie shared a similar sentiment, noting the Wizards are "in the market for upside swings." ESPN's Jeremy Woo added Sarr "is thought to be comfortable coming off the board [at No. 2], with the Wizards' younger roster offering a clearer path to playing time and an opportunity to grow into an expanded role."
Washington took forever to embrace an obviously overdue rebuild, so its roster is lagging behind even the other bottom-feeders in terms of building blocks. The Wizards can, should and almost certainly will swing for the fences at No. 2, and it feels like that means drafting Sarr, who projects as a do-it-all defender with potential as a finisher, shooter and short-roll ball-handler.
No. 3 Pick on the Move?
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Almost from the moment the Houston Rockets nabbed the No. 3 pick, there have been rumblings about its availability. And they are predictably increasing in volume as the draft bears down on the basketball world.
Wasserman, Vecenie and ESPN's Jonathan Givony all mentioned the rumblings about a potential deal with the Rockets for this pick.
The Athletic's Kelly Iko expanded on the topic, noting the Rockets "have fielded calls from around the league" and are "seriously considering a trade." Houston's aim, per Iko, is getting "future assets with high upside...with an eye for moves down the line."
If the Rockets brought back players in a trade involving this pick, Iko relayed a belief from rival teams that "the Rockets have an interest in Memphis' Marcus Smart." The Charlotte Hornets have also inquired about this pick, and Iko added one Western Conference executive opined Hornets young center Mark Williams could be "someone Houston could have an interest in."
Will Lakers Have Competition for Bronny James?
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Prediction-wise, nothing much has changed on the Bronny James front.
As has been the case in recent weeks, LeBron James' firstborn was mocked to the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 55 by all three of Wasserman, Vecenie and the Givony-Woo combo.
So, is the second round's most interesting question—will Bronny be drafted?—actually not interesting at all? We'll see.
The idea of James slipping past the Lakers at No. 55 feels unlikely, if only for the less than flattering message it would send to LeBron, who holds a player option for next season. Could Bronny go earlier than that, though? NBC Sports' Kurt Helin reported hearing the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the 41st pick, are mentioned as a possible suitor if only for the chance that perhaps drafting Bronny means getting LeBron to join.
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