The 2024 NBA Draft is on June 26 and 27.
The 2024 NBA Draft is nearing closer by the day. For a rebuilding team like the Washington Wizards, however, it’s more like their NBA Finals is fast approaching.
After a long, miserable season saw Washington post a franchise record 67 losses, it’s time for the event that’ll decide whether those losses were worthwhile. The franchise’s trajectory, and future for that matter, rests in the hands of President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger and General Manager Will Dawkins, who will have the final say on Washington’s selections.
The Wizards hold three picks this year, with loads of draft ammunition stored in case they wish to move up. Here’s a guide to the Wizards 2024 NBA Draft, filled with information on potential targets at each pick, trade-back and trade-up scenarios, as well as details on where to watch, starting times and much more.
Key Information:
When: The first round is on Wednesday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET. The second round is on Thursday, June 27 at 4 p.m. ET.
Network: ESPN will carry both rounds on television.
Who are the Wizards’ picks?
- Round 1, No. 2
- Round 1, No. 26 (via LAC)
- Round 2, No. 51 (via PHX)
*Washington has the right to swap first-round picks with Phoenix, but has declined to do so for obvious reasons. Their next pick swap opportunity comes in 2026.
*Utah owns Washington’s second-round pick this year (No. 32)
Who will realistically be the Wizards’ pick at No. 2?
It appears to be a two-horse race for Washington atop this draft, with one horse gaining a sizable lead.
Various sites’ mock drafts are split when it comes to the No. 2 pick, unevenly at that, between French prospects Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr. Here’s who these sites are projecting the Wizards to select:
- ESPN: Sarr
- Bleacher Report: Sarr
- Yahoo: Sarr
- The Ringer: Sarr
- CBSsports (Boone): Sarr
- NBA.com: Risacher
- NBADraft.net: Sarr
- HoopsHype: Sarr
It appears abundantly clear by these results that most draft experts believe the Atlanta Hawks will select Zaccharie Risacher at No. 1, paving the way for Alexandre Sarr to fall into the Wizards’ lap at No. 2.
Atlanta owes $22 million to center Clint Capela next season, as well as $14 million to center Onyeka Okungwu, who’s entering year one of a four-year deal. While the Hawks will try to offload Capela’s salary, I doubt they find buyers willing to take on his bloated contract. So, does Atlanta draft Sarr to be a third-string center while they attempt to contend? I doubt it, which is why for a team drafting for fit, Risacher makes more sense.
Others in play for Washington at No. 2:
Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
At 6-foot-3, 183 pounds, Sheppard’s slender frame has raised questions amongst league personnel. However, he’s arguably the most gifted shooter in this draft, posting an impressive 52.1% 3pt during his lone season at Kentucky.
Stephon Castle, G, UConn
Possibly the best perimeter defender in this draft, Castle has the size, athleticism and lateral quickness to take away the opponent’s best player on a nightly basis. While his offensive production improved gradually, the 6-foot-6 guard has a ways to go in terms of fine-tuning his outside jumper and developing into a respectable offensive asset.
Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Standing a massive 7-foot-2, 280 pounds, Clingan is a unit. While his teammate Stephon Castle is seen as the best on-ball defender in this draft, Clingan is reguarded as the best rim protector. Clingan swatted 2.5 shots per game in addition to cleaning the glass on both ends of the floor. Washington has a massive need at center, one the NBA-ready Clingan would fill immediately.
While Washington could certainly surprise people like they did last year when they selected late-riser Bilal Coulibaly, I don’t foresee a similar situation unfolding. Prospects such as Matas Buzelis and Cody Williams have been mocked as high as No. 3, but Washington selecting either of those players, as well as anyone not listed above, would come as a shock.
Who could the Wizards pick at No. 26?
It’s much trickier to predict the 26th pick than it is the 2nd pick because so much can happen in terms of surprising selections and wild trades throughout the first round. However, here’s who several prominent sites are mocking to Washington at pick No. 26:
- Bleacher Report: Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite
- Yahoo: Johnny Furphy, G/F, Kansas
- The Ringer: Kyshawn George, F, Miami
- CBSsports (Boone): Justin Edwards, F, Kentucky
- NBADraft.net: Terrence Shannon Jr, G/F, Illinois
- HoopsHype: Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite
As expected, there’s a wide range of prospects being paired with the Wizards. How the draft board falls will be decided on June 26, but for now, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be available come Washington’s second time on the clock.
Other players in play at pick No. 26:
- Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette
- Tristan Da Silva, F, Colorado
- Zach Edey, C, Purdue
- Yves Missi. C, Baylor
- Pacôme Dadiet, G, France
- Bobi Klintman, F, Cairns Taipans (NBL)
- Cameron Christie, G, Minnesota
Who could the Wizards pick at No. 51?
If you thought it was difficult to predict the 26th pick, multiply that by ten when speculating a pick this late in the draft. I think the best exercise is to highlight the players projected to go in this range that the Wizards have worked out, then discuss some others I could see going at this late stage of the draft.
Second-round prospects that have completed pre-draft workouts with the Wizards:
- Trentyn Flowers, G, Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
- Tristen Newton, G, UConn
- Antonio Reeves, G, Kentucky
- Kenan Blackshear, F, Nevada
- Makhi Mitchell, F, Arkansas
Other prospects Washington could consider in this range:
- Jamal Shead, G, Houston
- Juan Nuñez. G, Spain
- Pelle Larson. G/F, Arizona
- Jaylen Wells, G, Washington State
- Reece Beekman, G, Virginia
Is it possible that the Wizards trade the No. 2 pick and move back in the first round?
While I fully expect the Wizards to select at No. 2, exploring every possible option is necessary. To me, there’s only one realistic trade partner that could attempt to move up to No. 2 and has the assets to do so: the San Antonio Spurs.
Holding picks No. 4 and No. 8, the Spurs have the ammo to make a splash move should the board fall correctly. San Antonio has been rumored to strongly covet Zaccharie Risacher. If Atlanta opts for Sarr at No. 1, San Antonio could swoop in with a package built around their two lottery selections to entice Washington to move back.
For the Wizards, gaining an additional top-8 pick at the beginning of a long rebuild would be ideal. While moving back two slots means less optionality, a wide-open draft class could mean the Wizards still land their guy, even if it’s at No. 4 instead of No. 2.
Could the Wizards get a third first round pick in the draft?
The Wizards appear to have the assets to acquire an additional first-round pick. Even in what’s been called one of the worst draft classes of the past two decades, adding another prospect would help, especially if it means sending out veterans that might not be in Washington’s plans.
Several lottery teams have reportedly expressed interest in trading out of their pick: Memphis (9), Oklahoma City (12), and Sacramento (13).
Memphis is reportedly very high on Donovan Clingan and could make a move to get their center-of-the-future at No. 2. Oklahoma City has traditionally favored building through the draft, but with a roster already filled with young talent, bringing in established vets could make greater sense than another infusion of youth.
While those teams could certainly trade up or out of their selections, Sacramento at No. 13 seems to be the most likely trade partner for Washington should the Wizards attempt to nab an additional lottery pick.
Washington forward Kyle Kuzma is a name the Kings have coveted for years, nearly acquiring him back in 2021 before Kuz was sent to D.C. For a Kings team in desperate need of a splash move, bringing in Kuzma fits the bill.
A package centered around Kuzma would likely return Harrison Barnes to Washington for salary-matching purposes, a young player such as Colby Jones or Davion Mitchell, and the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Sacramento would add a floor-spacing forward to the mix while Washington adds another lottery selection.
In the comments below, let us know who you want the Wizards to take with the 2nd overall pick!