NBA Draft: Multiple Teams In Teens Trying To Move Up

Multiple teams drafting in the Nos. 13-19 range are attempting to move up in the 2024 NBA Draft, per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.

That list would include the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors. Which, specifically, would like to get into the lottery remains unclear.

One league source told Hoops Wire last week that he envisions the Lakers and Heat making a strong play for a top-five pick.

Also, the Memphis Grizzlies hold the No. 9 overall pick and could be among those exploring the idea of moving down. Some feel that in this draft, there won’t be much of a difference in upside between, say, the Nos. 9 and 20 selections.

“With multiple teams in the teens trying to move up, the ninth pick could be ripe for a trade,” O’Connor wrote.

The NBA Draft will be held on two separate days for the first time in history — with the first round scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, and the second round the next day.

The Atlanta Hawks control the entire draft with the top pick and it’s been reported they too could look to move their pick for an established player. The same has been said of the Washington Wizards (No. 2 overall), Houston Rockets (No. 3) and San Antonio Spurs (Nos. 4 and 8).

While this draft is getting a bad rap, one source told Hoops Wire that it actually has a lot of depth and “lottery picks who could help immediately.”

French forward Zaccharie Risacher and French center Alex Sarr are expected to be selected with the top two picks, though who goes where remains very much up in the air.