2024 NBA Mock Draft: Washington Wizards – The NBA is shaking things up this year with a new draft format for the 2024 season. The 78th annual draft will be spread over two nights, marking the first time since the league standardized the draft to two rounds in the late 1980s. Instead of the previous single-night spectacle, the draft will now take place on June 26th at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for the first round, followed by the second round on June 27th at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in Manhattan.
In the second round, there will be an extended time allot๊ment between picks, increasing from two minutꦫes to four. Similar to the past two years, the draft will comprise 58 picks instead of the usual 60 as a result of tampering penalties imposed on the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: Washington Wizards
💞The Washington Wizards had a historically dismal season, with minimal improvement under coaches Wes Unseld Jr. and Brian Keefe, who managed a combined 15 wins in 81 games.
While the goal was to secure a high draft pick, the summer acquisition of Jordan Poole ended up being a disappointment. The 6’4″ guard averaged decent points (17.4) and assists (4.4), but his shooting percentage (41.3%) and defensive weaknesses significantly lowered his trade value. This was not the “breakout season” Washington had hoped for.
A lone bright spot emerged in the nation’s capital, and that’s Kyle Kuzma. He thrived, averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Unlike Poole, Kuzma should garner significant trade interest, potentially fetching a king’s ransom for the Wizards. This is crucial, considering the lackluster return from the Bradley Beal trade and Poole’s diminished trade value. There’s a glimmer of hope with rookie Bilal Coulibaly showing promise and Deni Avdija solidifying himself as a starting-caliber forward.
Creating an engaging team of fans requires a multi-faceted approach. While the draft will continue to be important in the future, it’s equally crucial to maximize the return on Kuzma this summer. Ideally, this trade would involve young players and valuable draft picks, providing more opportunities to acquire top talent.
The pressing question is whether the Washington Wizards will take advantage of Kuzma’s value. Their reluctance to make moves at the trade deadline, opting to keep Tyus Jones’ expiring contract, is causing some worry. Washington Wizards fans hope for a front office led by Michael Winger, who is dedicated to acquiring assets during the offseason. Considering the team’s current situation, this expectation seems perfectly reasonable.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: Washington Wizards – Pick No. 2
Alex Sarr – Perth Wildcats
Position: PF/C
Size: 7’1″, 216 lbs
Age/Year: 19
Nationality: French
Pro Comparison (per ): Jaren Jackson Jr. & Jonathan Isaac
Standing at 6 feet 11 inches and weighing 217 pounds, Sarr defies typical positional definitions. He possesses a rare combination of size, finesse, and explosiveness, resembling a skyscraper confined in a center’s body. Sarr is an athletic finisher who excels at cutting to the basket and often catches defenses off guard with his quickness. Additionally, he can create space in the post with his strong frame and crafty footwork, allowing him to capitalize on close-range opportunities.
Sarr excels not only in finishing but also in ball-handling skills, which is surprising for a big man. He performs best outside the paint, where he catches passes at the three-point line and drives off♛ the dribble. He is comfortable driving t𝄹o his right hand, showing an ability to spin into the lane and create scoring opportunities. Additionally, he is a skilled passer, capable of finding open teammates with impressive passes off the dribble.
Sarr’s main weakness is his shooting. Despite taking a lot of jump shots, he is not very efficient. He’s only shooting 29.5% from three with Perth this year, which is not very good. His free-throw shooting is also not great. It’s important for Sarr to improve his jump shot if he wants to succeed in the NBA, where good shooting is crucial in today’s game, regardless of your position.
2024 NBA draft order: First Round
1. Atlanta Hawks
2. Washington Wizards
3. Houston Rockets (via BKN)
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Detroit Pistons
6. Charlotte Hornets
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR)
9. Memphis Grizzlies
10. Utah Jazz
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Portland Trail Blazers (via GS)
15. Miami Heat
16. Philadelphia 76ers
17. Los Angeles Lakers
18. Orlando Magic
19. Toronto Raptors (via IND)
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via MIL)
22. Phoenix Suns
23. Milwaukee Bucks (via NO)
24. New York Knicks (via DAL)
25. New York Knicks
26. Washington Wizards (via LAC)
27. Minnesota Timberwolves
28. Denver Nuggets
29. Utah Jazz (via OKC)
30. Boston Celtics
