NBA mock draft: 58 picks as trade talks heat up for 30 teams

The 2024 NBA draft in New York is a week away (June 26-27 on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+), and the 30 teams are well into their pre-draft process for working out top candidates and narrowing down their draft boards, helping us get a better feel for how the first round, especially, might unfold.

Trade talks are at an early stage but beginning to take shape to an extent as different scenarios are being laid out from NBA decision-makers depending on how the draft evolves.

The Atlanta Hawks, who won the draft lottery to claim the No. 1 pick, seem to be honing in on either Zaccharie Risacher or Donovan Clingan but might have trade opportunities at their disposal on draft night, especially if the San Antonio Spurs are interested in making a deal.

Hawks general manager Landry Fields said Monday the Hawks are currently satisfied with their situation. “Today, we’re planning on picking one,” Fields said. “I don’t think it would be wise for us not to go over scenarios, even ones that may present later on with different teams.”

There’s still lots left to play out over the coming week, but ranges for players are being solidified as NBA teams voted on the 25 players they’d like to see invited to the Barclays Center green room, with a handful more players to be added still to the 21-player list that has already been revealed.

Draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo considered the draft board and the likely players available at each spot to update the ESPN 2024 NBA mock draft accordingly. Their latest mock, which reflects exhaustive evaluation of the 2024 draft class and considers intel gathered from conversations with scouts and front office personnel, also accounts for picks owed and owned by all 30 teams.

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First round

1. Atlanta Hawks

Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Bourg (France) | Age: 19.1

The Hawks casted a wide net through the pre-draft process, aggressively recruiting nearly every prospect in the lottery for workouts while also bringing in players projected outside that range, indicating the team is preparing for different strategies depending on what it learns and potential trade opportunities.

While it appears the Hawks are far from making final decisions, many teams say their intel indicates Risacher remains the favorite at No. 1, partially because of the dual-track flexibility he offers of either remaining competitive next season or tapping into his upside as the type of big, versatile wing that is difficult to acquire outside the draft. The Hawks will bring Risacher in for a workout Wednesday, his first with the team thus far, which should help add clarity regarding his standing.

The Hawks have been unable to bring Alex Sarr in for a workout to this point, but the door remains open for that to potentially happen. Clingan appears to be Risacher’s main rival at No. 1. His workout — where he shot the ball extremely well, showed surprisingly good passing ability operating out of short rolls and was impressive both in film study and in interviews — helped his draft standing and makes him as possible sleeper selection here, as we’ve discussed for several weeks.

The status of Atlanta’s Trae Young is the big question hovering over the franchise. One option that has been widely discussed among teams is the possibility of the Hawks reacquiring their unprotected 2025 first-round pick from San Antonio (perhaps in a swap for the No. 4 pick), which would give the team far more flexibility for rebuilding. That would currently be difficult to fathom, with their next three draft picks (2025, 2026 swap rights and 2027) owned by the Spurs.

The Hawks worked out Reed Sheppard last week and Clingan before that, two attractive options at No. 4 should they elect to slide back. Atlanta also brought in Matas Buzelis, Cody Williams and Ron Holland for workouts. — Givony

2. Washington Wizards

Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth (Australia) | Age: 19.1

Rival teams have largely viewed the Wizards as a landing spot for Risacher or Sarr, depending which direction the Hawks go. That line of thinking has held up so far, although the radio silence out of Washington has some teams still curious about its intentions at No. 2.

That said, Sarr has not yet gone to Atlanta and did work out for Washington last week. The Wizards did quite a bit of homework (and travel) to evaluate him during the course of his season with Perth. Stephon Castle, Clingan, Buzelis and Williams are among the other top prospects that have worked out for the Wizards. Some of those players feel more like contingencies, whether it’s via trade, or if Sarr goes No. 1, but the Wizards have done their due diligence.

Washington has the runway available to be patient with Sarr’s development, making it a strong fit for him — and vice versa — on paper. Sarr arguably has the greatest upside available here, with the physical attributes to be a top defender, as well as the makings of a useful offensive skill set as a finisher and improving floor-spacer. — Woo

3. Houston Rockets (via Nets)

Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky | Age: 19.9

It feels like Sheppard’s range of draft outcomes is quite narrow at this point. The Rockets have demonstrated serious interest in him at No. 3, with both the front office and ownership intrigued by his fit as a shooter and playmaker next to their established young talent.

Should Houston decide to trade back or go another direction, San Antonio is also quite intrigued with Sheppard and will be in position to pounce one pick later. He has also worked out for the Hawks (as a trade-back option) and Charlotte Hornets (who are also thought to be fans, and look like his backstop at No. 6), but the odds seem to be in favor of Sheppard relocating to Texas.

Houston has been testing the market for this pick, which holds trade value due in part to the thought that Clingan, who many teams view as a potential trade-up target, will be available if the first two picks go as currently expected. Regardless, Sheppard’s shooting ability, intangibles and room for growth as a playmaker have put him in position to be the first guard off the board, completing his ascent from a November curiosity into a full-blown lottery talent. — Woo

4. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs

UConn | Age: 24.1