NEWSLETTER
Washington Wizards 2024 NBA Mock Draft – The NBA has introduced a new draft format for the 2024 season, changing things up. This year’s 78th annual draft will be held over two nights, marking a departure from the single-night format that has been standard since the late 1980s. The first round will take place on June 26th at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, while the second round will occur on June 27th at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in Manhattan.
The second round will feature an extended time allotment between picks, increasing from two minutes to four. Similar to the past two years, the draft will consist of 58 picks rather than the usual 60 due to tampering penalties imposed on the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.
Washington Wizards 2024 NBA Mock Draft
The Washington Wizards endured a historically dismal season. A coaching carousel yielded minimal improvement, with Wes Unseld Jr. and Brian Keefe managing a combined 15 wins in 81 games.
While the aim was to secure a high draft pick, the summer acquisition of Jordan Poole backfired. The 6’4″ guard averaged decent points (17.4) and assists (4.4), but his shooting woes (41.3%) and defensive liabilities plummeted his trade value. This is the opposite of the “breakout season” Washington envisioned.
A lone bright spot emerged in Kyle Kuzma. After re-signing last summer, 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.
However, building a fan-engaging team requires a multi-pronged approach. The draft will remain crucial in the coming years, but maximizing the return on Kuzma this summer is equally important. Ideally, this trade would involve young players and valuable draft picks, giving them more opportunities to secure top talent.
The looming question: will the Wizards capitalize on Kuzma’s value? Their hesitancy at the trade deadline, holding onto Tyus Jones’ expiring contract, raises concerns. Wizards fans yearn for a management team led by Michael Winger, laser-focused on accumulating assets during the offseason. Given the state of the franchise, this is a perfectly reasonable expectation.
Washington Wizards 2024 NBA Mock Draft – Pick No. 2
Zaccharie Risacher – JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France)
- Position: SG/SF
- Size: 6’8 “, 204 lbs
- Age/Year: 19
- Nationality: French
- Pro Comparison (per The Ringer): Michael Porter Jr.
The Washington Wizards could potentially secure another promising French wing in consecutive years if the Atlanta Hawks decide to pass on Zaccharie Risacher. Given Risacher’s experience playing against last year’s top pick, Bilal Coulibaly, and his impressive performance in the U21 league in France, the Wizards are undoubtedly well acquainted with his development. His potential to seamlessly transition between the shooting guard and small forward positions, coupled with his notable accolades such as the EuroCup Rising Star and Best Young Player of the 2023–24 LNB Elite season, firmly position him as a highly exciting prospect for any team in this year’s draft.
Risacher’s appeal lies in his exceptional athleticism, shotmaking prowess, and defensive court coverage, which unequivocally suggest that he could fulfill the role of a three-and-D player for the Wizards. His remarkable improvement in three-point shooting this season, with an impressive 47.1 percent conversion rate, undeniably signifies substantial development. While his previous shooting percentages were comparatively lower, Risacher’s diverse shooting skills and strong ball-handling capabilities undeniably solidify his status as a highly promising prospect in an otherwise questionable class. Furthermore, his adeptness in ball handling, making quick and decisive passes and exhibiting defensive agility make him an undeniably valuable asset for the team.
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
*The New Orleans Pelicans have the option to take the Los Angeles Lakers pick at No. 17 overall or defer it to 2025. They have until June 1st to decide.
