10 bold predictions for the 2024 NBA Draft, including trades and Bronny James

Alex Sarr wouldn’t work out for the Atlanta Hawks, leaving them to decide between Donovan Clingan and Zaccharie Risacher. It’s already been reported that multiple teams want to trade up for Clingan if he fails outside the top 3 picks. While Clingan doesn’t offer a sky-high upside, the 7-foot-1 center is outstanding on the glass with the tools to challenge for All-Defensive Team selections in his prime. With Clingan on board, Atlanta would then likely start exploring its Dejounte Murray trade options.

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While Alex Sarr wouldn’t do a private workout for the Atlanta Hawks, he does seem firmly interested in playing for the Washington Wizards. Standing at 6-foot-11, there are some similarities between Sarr and Jaren Jackson Jr. The teenager’s offensive game is a work in progress, but he could help change the Wizards’ identity long-term and Washington is the perfect spot for him to develop without added pressure around him.

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The reports leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft are that the San Antonio Spurs either want Alex Sarr or Zacchari Risacher. With Donovan Clingan landing at No. 1 overall in our 2024 NBA Draft predictions, San Antonio gets one of its guys without having to trade up. Risacher, 6-foot-8 offers excellent length and shows some nice two-way ability as a teenager. In pairing him with Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, the Spurs will be adding to their defense-first approach with Risacher also providing something of an outside shooting threat.

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The Portland Trail Blazers would probably be even more aggressive in the 2024 NBA Draft if Donovan Clingan slides. In this spot, Portland moves up slightly to put some more shooters around Scoot Henderson. Dalton Knecht shot 39.7 percent from beyond the arc last season and pairs his excellent shooting touch with great length (6-foot-9 wingspan). He’s drawn a mix of NBA comparisons from Klay Thompson to Jerami Grant.

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Maybe the Chicago Bulls are finally ready to hit the reset button. The Alex Caruso trade and the recent buzz on DeMar DeRozan at least suggest the Bulls’ organization is ready to turn the page. If that proves to be true, Chicago might as well roll the dice on Nikola Topic. He suffered an ACL tear that damaged his draft stock, but this is still a teenage guard at 6-foot-5 with a high basketball IQ who knows how to create buckets for himself and others. A rebuilding Bulls team would give topic all the time he needs to get healthy and then develop his game.

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The Sacramento Kings have liked Zach LaVine for years and this summer provides the best opportunity to get him. With other teams focused on Brandon Ingram and Paul George, Sacramento isn’t facing much competition for LaVine. Plus, Chicago is very willing to move him in order to get off his contract. It wouldn’t be a surprise if on draft night, LaVine is traded to the Kings in a deal involving Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter.

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Paul George now seems to be off the Philadelphia 76ers’ radar. The team could still wait to see how Jimmy Butler’s situation unfolds, but a departure there feels unlikely. So, Philadelphia prioritizes the player it knows it can acquire. Brandon Ingram, entering a contract year, would be the 76ers’ third scoring option and he’d represent a huge upgrade over Tobias Harris. Plus, acquiring him won’t cost as much as a move for another All-Star wing.

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The NBA ended the G League Ignite experience this year, recognizing it was largely a failure. Ron Holland was 247 Sorts’ No. 1 overall recruit a year ago, viewed as a viable candidate to be the No. 1 pick in a weak 2024 NBA Draft class. A year later, Holland will be lucky to remain in the lottery picks. However, we do expect that to happen, with a team snagging Holland at the end of the lottery range (10-14) with the hoping of betting on his upside. It could benefit him long-term, but the discussion around him will be a reminder of the G League Ignite flopping.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t going to be hurting for size again, last season drove that point home. Oklahoma City’s big addition at center should come in NBA free agency, with someone like Isaiah Hartenstein standing out as an ideal fit. However, the Thunder should double dip at the position. While Zach Edey might not ever become an All-Star, the 7-foot-4 center’s size and strength will make him a force in the paint. He could thrive as a rotational big man for Oklahoma City.

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The Los Angeles Lakers could possibly stay put at the 55th overall pick and hope Bronny James is available when they are on the clock. However, the desire to keep LeBron James happy might result in the front office being more aggressive. We could see a scenario where Los Angeles flips its 55th overall pick and cash to a team picking in the 40s (Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic) to ensure that Bronny gets to play in Los Angeles. Plus, the spectacle of this happening would be great for the league’s TV ratings for the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

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