NBA mock draft: Predictions for 58 picks based on new intel

Where are Bronny James, Alex Sarr and Donovan Clingan projected to go in ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft? Illustration by ESPN

The storyline with the 2024 NBA draft is what will happen with the Atlanta Hawks and which player they will select as their No. 1 pick.

Ahead of the two-day draft, the picture at the top appears to be clarifying somewhat, with Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr expected by most teams to be the first two names off the board.

ESPN will be tracking news and intel until the Hawks go on the clock at New York’s Barclays Center.

Last updated: Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. ET after the Washington Wizards traded for the No. 14 pick.

NBA draft coverage:
Bilas: My 10 favorite players | Hawks’ options
New mock draft simulator: Make your picks!
The best at 20 skills | Top 100 | Order | More

First round

1. Atlanta Hawks

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

With hours left until Round 1 of tonight’s draft, all signs point to Risacher in Atlanta, with rival teams selecting behind the Hawks saying their intel indicates he’ll be the choice. The Hawks continue to signal that they have not yet determined their draft-night direction, but other teams are preparing as if Risacher will come off the board at No. 1.

The Hawks have big 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 Pelicans’ 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. — Jonathan Givony

2. Washington Wizards

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

With the wide expectation that Risacher will hear his name called first, rival teams continue to view Washington as Sarr’s probable destination.

Sarr is known to be comfortable with the Wizards’ situation, with a younger roster offering a clearer path to playing time and an opportunity to grow into an expanded role. The Wizards had a consistent scouting presence in Perth this season, and they are thought to be keen on Sarr’s long-term upside. Amid a full-scale rebuild, Washington has the runway 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. — Jeremy Woo

3. Houston Rockets (via Nets)

Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky | Age: 20.0

As of Wednesday afternoon, signs are pointing toward the Rockets staying put on the No. 3 pick and selecting Sheppard, a player they have coveted throughout the pre-draft process.

Houston has been active in conversations surrounding this pick dating back to the draft lottery — with the Rockets eager to improve their roster and win in the short term — but it appears to be content to stand pat at this point. The Rockets acquired draft assets from the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, including future picks belonging to the Phoenix Suns that Houston will presumably look to deal in the interest of upgrading the roster, with Phoenix’s Kevin Durant among the high-impact players who intrigue them, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

For the time being — barring a surprise trade scenario emerging late in the process — it appears the Rockets will continue to add young talent, and Sheppard has been the favorite here since draft lottery night on May 12. Houston’s ownership group traveled to meet with Sheppard in Los Angeles fairly early in the process, and he visited the Rockets’ facility to make his case as the best shooter in the draft. — Woo

4. San Antonio Spurs

Stephon Castle, PG/SG, UConn | Age: 19.6

With Reed Sheppard projected to come off the board at No. 3, Castle appears the strongest candidate to hear his name called by the Spurs at No. 4. The Spurs also brought Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, Matas Buzelis, Dalton Knecht, Cody Williams and others in for workouts, but Castle’s defensive ability and long-term upside as a playmaker have made him a captivating prospect at the top of the draft.

San Antonio has fielded a range of trade calls involving both the No. 4 and No. 8 picks, with an interest in creating value where possible, but the Spurs are also thought to be taking a patient approach, rather than moving with unnecessary haste to build a contender around Victor Wembanyama.

It’s worth noting the Spurs have expressed increasing interest in Donovan Clingan of late, interviewing him in recent days to get to know him better. Some think this might be a case of the Spurs signaling to rivals that the No. 4 pick is where they need to get to if they want to draft Clingan, as opposed to having concrete interest in a fascinating two-towers lineup with the 7-foot-3 UConn champion and 7-5 Wembanyama. In this scenario, with Sheppard gone at No. 3, rival teams expect the Spurs will be content with Castle. — Woo

Stephon Castle’s NBA draft profile

Check out some highlights that have made UConn’s Stephon Castle a top NBA draft prospect.

5. Detroit Pistons

Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, G League Ignite | Age: 19.6

Over the past couple days, there has been additional scrutiny from rival teams as to what direction the Pistons will go — a question which to some extent has stemmed from the emergence of the No. 5 pick as a possible trade-back spot in this draft.

The potential availability of Donovan Clingan would give this pick a degree of added trade value, with teams selecting behind Detroit including Portland at No. 7 and Memphis at No. 9 as possible candidates to move up and select him. In those types of scenarios, Detroit might be able to trade back within the lottery and still select a player it feels comfortable with — a group that is thought to include Buzelis, Cody Williams and Rob Dillingham.

Detroit worked out Clingan and Williams, and hosted Dillingham for a recent visit. It’s worth noting that Dillingham in particular has been linked strongly with Detroit in recent days, with the Pistons in need of an offensive spark to enhance their creative options. Buzelis has been linked strongly to Detroit for much of the pre-draft process, but that interest also predated Trajan Langdon’s hiring to run the front office.

Buzelis worked out for most of the teams in this range, including the San Antonio Spurs and the Donovan Clingan, C, UConn | Age: 20.3

Clingan remains a target for teams selecting behind Portland, with the implication remaining that he may not actually make it to this pick at No. 7. In this scenario, with Houston and San Antonio projected to stay put at No. 3 and No. 4, Clingan could very well see his name called at No. 5 or No. 6, if Detroit or Charlotte opts to move back.

Clingan has most frequently been connected by rival teams to Memphis, which has a clear need for a player in his mold. In addition to Portland here at No. 7, other teams connected as Clingan suitors via trade-up have been Chicago at No. 11, and Oklahoma City at No. 12, 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 the draft’s top rim protector. — Woo