Sports
NBA Rumors: Hawks, Wizards, Rockets Receive Trade Offers for Draft Picks 1-3 – Bleacher Report
There could potentially be some movement at the top of the 2024 NBA draft.
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported that the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards and Houston Rockers are “listening to trade offers for their selections” in the first round. The Hawks, Wizards and Rockets own the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 picks, respectively.
O’Connor also reported that the Hawks are targeting UConn center Donovan Clingan but would prefer to move down to select him. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman projected that Clingan would go No. 6 in the draft in his latest mock draft, so the Hawks might have to find a trade in the top half of the lottery.
Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr and Reed Sheppard are among the prospects who could go in the top three. The reported availability of the top three selections means some chaos could occur on draft night.
The Hawks are at a crossroads, with players like Dejounte Murray, Trae Young and Clint Capela reportedly on the trade block. Atlanta went 36-46 and lost in the play-in tournament, so the Hawks front office needs to figure out the best path for the future.
The Wizards went 15-67 in the first year of their rebuild and desperately need more young talent. However, their biggest priority with the selection should be getting the highest value possible. A trade may be the best way to do that.
Houston is the closest to contention of the three teams, so moving the pick for a more NBA-ready player could be of great interest. The Rockets went 41-41 last season and finished just outside of the play-in tournament.
The first round of the NBA draft will take place June 26 at 8 p.m. ET.