NBA draft live updates: Date, time, prospects, analysis, predictions ...
Updated June 26, 2024, 11:10 PM UTC
The 2024 NBA draft is finally here, and while it might not boast the superstar potential of past years, the talent to improve a franchise is available. Multiple international prospects — particularly two Frenchmen in Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr — are expected to be taken at the top, as are college standouts in Connecticut big man Donovan Clingan and Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.
Then there’s the Bronny James question. Will LeBron’s son go in the first round? Will he be taken at all? The Southern Cal product disappointed in his freshman year, averaging only 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 19.4 minutes per game. But he has clear potential, and teams could position themselves as (unlikely) landing spots for his famous father.
Stay with NBC News all night as the first round of the NBA draft gets underway.
Every pick is available at the right price. This is not a draft with a “you can’t pass him up” player. Hawks GM Landry Fields said he likes this draft and intends to keep his No. 1 overall pick, but admitted his phone is ringing and he’s still talking to teams.
Houston is the most likely team to trade its first-rounder. They want to become a playoff team now and would like to move the No. 3 pick to help bring in players who can do that (or push the draft pick down the road).
There has also been talk about the Spurs combining their two picks (Nos. 4 and 8) to get a player or move up in this draft.
Per ESPN: Washington is dealing forward Deni Avdija to the Trail Blazers for Malcom Brogdon, tonight’s 14th overall pick and a 2029 pick.
Avdija, only 23 years old, averaged 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds a game last season with the Wizards.
Top players hoping to have their names called have made it to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for tonight's draft. Check it out below.
Date: Wednesday, June 26
Time: 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
Location: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
Network: ESPN and ABC
Buzz has been building for a couple of weeks in league circles that the Hawks are really high on Clingan after he had a strong workout for them. Atlanta is going to reshape its roster this offseason, but if the Hawks plan to keep one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray to stay competitive (retooling around the guard), picking the defensive center makes sense (it allows them to trade center Clint Capela and restock the roster).
However, Risacher is still most likely to go No. 1 and appears to be on top of most teams’ draft boards (and most serious mock drafts). Risacher is young and looks like he could develop into a prototypical NBA wing. Most teams would take him No. 1.
The betting markets still have Risacher as the favorite to go first (-260), with Clingan a distant second (+270).
If the Hawks keep the No. 1 pick — as GM Landry Fields said they most likely would, but he’s listening to calls — they might take Risacher, but Atlanta might be happier trading down a few spots, still getting Clingan plus adding another pick or player in the swap.
Brooklyn traded away every pick in its race to build a win-now team and bring in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden, then surround them with winning role players. No need to rehash how poorly that went, but it means the Nets are without a pick in this draft.
SNY’s Ian Begley reports the Nets are confident they will find a pick they can deal for and become part of this draft.
It’s highly unlikely, as he is almost a lock to the Wizards at No. 2. Any team that trades up to No. 1 wants Clingan or Risacher, not Sarr. While there are rumors that the Hawks are considering grabbing the French center, Sarr didn’t work out for Atlanta, and multiple reports suggest this is just a smokescreen to try to get the Wizards to trade up a spot to get their guy.
Sure, but it’s not the priority it once was — and it’s fair to ask whether if it’s Bronny’s dream. (How many kids really want to go to work with their dad every day?) In previous years, LeBron said he wanted to play with Bronny a couple of times, which led some teams to think that if they drafted Bronny, they might get a package deal. LeBron toned that down this season. Then, LeBron and Bronny’s agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, worked to crush the concept, as he said in an interview with Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
“LeBron is off this idea of having to play with Bronny," Paul said. "If he does, he does. But if he doesn’t, he doesn’t.”
LeBron and Bronny aren’t a package deal. For example, there were rumors that Phoenix might draft Bronny in hope that LeBron would go there, but all it can offer LeBron is a veteran minimum deal (have fun asking him to take a $47 million pay cut).
“LeBron is also not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. We can squash that now,” Paul said.
Brian Hamilton, NBC Sports
Alexandre Sarr opened as the favorite (-200) to be drafted first overall, but his decision not to work out for the Hawks have seen his odds (+600) take a substantial hit. Currently, Zaccharie Risacher (-250) is the favorite to hear his name called first tonight.
The 6-foot-9 small forward from France is no lock atop the draft as UConn's big man, Donovan Clingan (+240), is gaining steam in the marketplace. Sarr’s odds to go No. 2 to Washington are -600. Bettors should take note of those odds and recognize the intel the books more than likely have that the Wizards are high on Sarr.
Because there is no clear favorite to go No. 1, bettors also need to speculate whether Atlanta will even be making this pick. There are rumblings San Antonio wants to move up. It can offer picks No. 4 and No. 8 if need be. Do they see Risacher’s skills complementing Wemby’s? Or do they want to pair up the Rookie of the Year and Clingan?
Yes. Typically the entire two-round draft is over one night, but it has changed.
Joe Dumars, the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations, told NBA.com why it made this move.
“Based on feedback about the NBA Draft format from basketball executives around the league and my own experience in draft rooms, we believe that teams will benefit from being able to regroup between rounds and having additional time to make decisions during the second round. Two nights of prime-time coverage will also enhance the viewing experience for our fans and further showcase the draftees.”
Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans is at the top of that list.
Expect a flurry of trades during this year’s draft, but if you were going to bet on one player’s being moved, it should be Ingram. The Pelicans have been actively testing the trade market for the wing, who averaged 20.8 points a game last season but never fully meshed with Zion Williamson.
The Pelicans are seeking players who better fit with their core, plus they want picks. If Ingram isn’t moved at the draft, he will be early in free agency.
No.
One should never say never around the NBA, but it is highly, highly unlikely Bronny hears his name on the first day of the draft.
Bronny isn’t NBA-ready as a player and most likely needs a couple of years of development — if a team doesn’t think LeBron is coming, Bronny isn’t a first-rounder on his own.
His agent, Rich Paul, is doing everything he can to get Bronny a regular NBA contract — not a two-way deal — but being a first-round pick means multiple years of guaranteed money. Teams don’t want to be locked into Bronny for that long. The second round is where teams looking to roll the dice on players pick up their guys.
Greg Rosenstein
Greg Rosenstein is the sports editor for NBC News Digital.
