On the eve of the 2024 NBA draft, the big storyline continues to be what will happen with the Atlanta Hawks and which player they will select as their No. 1 pick.

Ahead of the two-day draft, which begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET (on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+), Hawks general manager Landry Fields said his initial enthusiasm about landing the top pick has not been diminished as he and his staff have examined options such as French stars Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher, along with Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard and UConn center Donovan Clingan.

Trade talks are heating up as different scenarios are being laid out from NBA decision-makers depending on how the draft evolves.

ESPN will be tracking every bit of news and intel until the Hawks go on the clock at the Barclays Center podium Wednesday, with this version of the mock draft undergoing any and all necessary alterations up until draft time, based on our latest intel and any first- or second-round moves up until that hour.

Last updated: Tuesday at 11:35 p.m. ET

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First round

1. Atlanta Hawks

Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Bourg (France) | Age: 19.2

The Hawks continue to signal that they have not yet determined their draft night direction, which makes sense considering the nature of this draft, how even the talent at the top is and trade opportunities that could unfold once they are on the clock.

They simultaneously have decisions to make with players already on their roster, especially Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, who seem destined to part ways with the team in the not-too-distant future. The New Orleans Pelicans loom as a potential destination for one of them, with Brandon Ingram the most attractive and attainable target on the Pels’ roster. Jalen Johnson appears to be the only player the Hawks will not consider moving.

Risacher, as he has for much of the pre-draft cycle, continues to hold firm as the choice at No. 1 after a positive workout with Atlanta. The feedback from those who have seen him in the United States is that he is a better passer and does a better job of initiating contact and playing through physicality than is expected with his lean frame.

Donovan Clingan, another favorite of the Hawks’ coaching staff, remains in play at No. 1, but he might be a more realistic option if the Hawks trade down a few spots with the Donovan Clingan, C, UConn | Age: 20.3

Due to the amount of interest in Clingan coming from teams selecting further down in the draft, there’s a belief around the league right now that he won’t actually make it to Portland’s pick at No. 7, which teams view as his floor.

There’s trade chatter surrounding both the No. 3 and No. 4 picks, with Houston and San Antonio weighing potential trade-back scenarios. Clingan is considered the likely target for whichever team might move up, if that should occur. He is most frequently connected by rival teams to Memphis, which has a clear need for a player in his mold. Some also have speculated on Oklahoma City, which has the wealth of trade assets to maneuver up the board if it chooses.

In the event there are no trades and Clingan should fall here, the Blazers would presumably be thrilled to land San Antonio Spurs

Washington Wizards (via Houston Rockets (via Memphis Grizzlies (via Mavericks (via Celtics)
Ariel Hukporti, C, Melbourne (Australia) | Age: 22.2

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.

Jeremy Woo is an NBA analyst specializing in prospect evaluation and the draft. He was previously a staff writer and draft insider at Sports Illustrated.