After using a lottery pick last year to add Bilal Coulibaly, the Wizards may draft another Frenchman early in the 2024 event, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who hears from league sources that the team expects to choose between big man Alexandre Sarr and forward Zaccharie Risacher.
Those prospects sit atop most 2024 big boards and mock drafts, so Washington may not actually get to “choose between” the two, given that one of them will likely be selected at No. 1. Still, Scotto’s report suggests the front office would be happy to add either Sarr or Risacher to its young core.
The Wizards’ long-term goal is to build its roster through the draft, Scotto writes, which is one reason why Brian Keefe – who has a reputation for being a strong player development coach – is considered the “heavy favorite” to be promoted from interim to permanent head coach in D.C.
According to Scotto, Washington would also like to retain free agent point guard Tyus Jones, who started 66 games in 2023/24 and could provide a stabilizing veteran presence for the Wizards youngsters. However, the expectation is that the Wizards will face competition for Jones if and when he reaches the open market.
Here are several more items of interest from Scotto’s latest aggregate mock draft at HoopsHype:
- If the Clippers end up losing Paul George, they’re a team to watch as a potential sign-and-trade destination for Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, Scotto reports. A team must remain below the first tax apron if it acquires a player via sign-and-trade — that would be a more viable option for Los Angeles with George’s maximum-salary contract off the books.
- Rival executives anticipate that Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter, who has been mentioned in trade rumors in the past, will become available again this offseason, Scotto writes. Hunter, who set new career highs in 2023/24 with 15.6 points per game and a .385 3PT%, is owed approximately $70MM over the next three seasons.
- The Jazz are expected to be open to trading their picks in this year’s draft, including No. 10 overall, and some people around the league believe team owner Ryan Smith is ready to add more high-level talent to the roster, Scotto writes, adding that Jazz CEO Danny Ainge has “aggressively monitored” the trade market.
- The Magic will focus on adding shooting in the draft and free agency, according to Scotto, who notes that rival executives are keeping an eye on the Thunder as a team that could be active in the free agent market for centers. Orlando ranked dead-last in the NBA this season in three-pointers made (11.0 per game), while Oklahoma City placed 28th in rebounding rate (48.4%).
- The Raptors will likely exercise their $23MM team option on swingman Bruce Brown, league sources tell HoopsHype. A previous report from The Toronto Star suggested the team was a good bet to pick up that option with an eye toward trading Brown.
- Former Weber State wing Dillon Jones has pre-draft workouts lined up with the Pacers, Hornets, Bucks, Celtics, Raptors, and Spurs, per Scotto.
76ers have a very good chance to sign George, IMO.
The Clippers are unwilling to offer Paul George more than they gave Kawhi Leonard, a three-year, $152.3 million extension, per @PompeyOnSixers
First round vs Mavs
As a team leader, Paul George had somewhat of a disappointing showing, averaging 19 points during the matchup
George
Real Value: 4 years $100 million
Market Value: 4 years $212 million
IMO
George is declining fast, role player in a playoff team.
George NBA contract comparison: Mike Conley
Age 34 and Age 35
Average $24 million per year
Your worth what someone is willing to pay you. Philly will definitely offer him 40 million a year
John Collins and the 29th for Cam Johnson
Utah gets better shooting and opens up minutes for Tyler Hendricks aswell. Need Walker Kessler to really step it up.
Brooklyn adds a first round draft pick in a year they don’t have any picks and also get their long term PF. Collins adds nice size at PF, can play small ball 5, can get out in transition, can space the floor and helps with the rebounding.
Allows them to then look at offers from DFS with Clowney capable for backing up JC.
If I’m Utah I’d look to keep 10 and draft in another guard and shop Jordan Clarkson or Colin Sexton out. At 10 you could look into Collier, McCain and pray for Dillingham. Collier would be a realistic target tho and should do well with two really good shooters in Cam and Lauri spacing the floor and Walker setting screens
Cam Johnson is okay. He’s definitely not worth more than Collins. The only reason the Jazz would add anything is because of the salary.
However, Collins proved he’s still worth his contract. I liked how he gives the Jazz an actual inside game. Everyone else, besides Samanic, are just slashing to the basket.
Idk I’d like to see them play more of a pace and space style, you’ve got Lauri and Cam which open the floor up and if you add a guard like Collier or Dillingham you’ve giving them the best chance to succeed with the amount of room to operate and touches they’d have. Walker Kessler aswell, he’d have a larger role to play as a pick and roll man and defensively controlling the paint and cleaning the boards.
Keyonte George looks nice but I’d double down and get another guard again this year.
Collins is nice an all but you have him around for the entirety of his contract your not really giving Taylor Hendricks much of a chance who looks decent too. Again coming into the draft he was talked about as one of the best defenders in the class and also a decent shooter and that would work well with Lauri and Cam in those forward spots
I like Kessler, but he’s pretty easy to guard on the pick and roll. He can’t shoot from the outside, so they know where he’s going. Maybe that’ll get better. Hasn’t improved much so far. He is a great rebounder and shot blocker. I see him as more of a role player.
I do agree that they need more playmaking and leadership. A true PG would be nice. That and perimeter defense are their biggest needs.
Hendricks needs another year or two to be a starter. He’s got a nice outside shot and slash game. He’s also already a great defender. I agree that he could use more time to refine that into a regular lockdown defender. Will be very nice to have in the playoffs, eventually.
If the Jazz trade Collins, then I’d hope it’s for a young quality prospect. That’s possible if the team he’s coming from needs more vets. Collins was the most reliable player for the Jazz this year. Markkanen missed too many games.
All I know for sure is that the Jazz are already very active in draft scouting and the trade markets. I expect them to explore a ton of options this Summer.
Agreed. Why should the Jazz want to trade Collins? Young athletic not an outrageous contract. The teams in the playoffs have athletic interior players who can jump. Jazz should just stay put on Collins.
The Jazz are in a good position to get better quickly. Very low payroll, two first round draft picks, some decent players already on their roster under contract Collins, Clarkson, Sexton, Markkanen, Hendricks, George, Kessler, Bazley. Jazz should just be patient and wait for the right opportunities.
I still think it’s too early for the Jazz to start trading for better talent. The only way it’s a good idea is if they’re willing to overhaul the roster again.
The Jazz have too many one-dimensional talents, or they’re still too inexperienced to make a true playoff push.
Even if they made the playoffs, they need vets that won’t freak out under pressure. I don’t see how they could address all that in one off-season.
In other words, they should focus on development, get a high level talent in next year’s draft, and possibly the year after, THEN go after trades.