2024 NBA Draft: ‘Uncertainty’ is the theme for 1st-round prospects, even those at the top

NEW YORK — Twenty-four top NBA Draft prospects entered the second floor ballroom of Lotte New York Palace on Tuesday afternoon, all hopeful to hear their names called in the first round of Wednesday night’s event.

Alex Sarr, the 7-foot-1 phenom who last played for Perth of Australia’s NBL, declined Altanta’s efforts to host him for a workout, but told Yahoo Sports that won’t dissuade him from reporting to the Hawks should he ultimately be the selection at No. 1 overall. “I’ll play for any team that drafts me,” Sarr said Tuesday. “For me, the most important thing is if a team is willing to take a chance on you, you just have to go there and play hard. There’s no such thing as being picky or not wanting to go somewhere.”

Washington, picking No. 2, has been labeled by league personnel as the Sarr camp’s preferred destination, as the Wizards are in the beginning stages of a long rebuild with no clear-cut franchise cornerstone. “It’s a great organization,” Sarr said. “They’re a young team, and I think they’re going in a great direction.”

UConn center Donovan Clingan appears destined to be the next big man off the board, if he isn’t the top selection to Atlanta. Clingan worked out for the Hawks and told reporters he sees the potential for strong pick-and-roll chemistry with Atlanta’s guards. The Hawks, of course, are expected to engage rival teams on trade scenarios for both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray throughout this offseason. The Lakers, Pelicans and Spurs remain three destinations that would be appealing to Young, league sources told Yahoo Sports, and teams in the lottery are not discounting the possibility the Spurs could engineer a move up to the top slot, which could open the door for Atlanta possibly selecting Clingan at No. 4.

Alexandre Sarr speaks to the media during a news conference for the NBA Draft at the Lotte New York Palace on Tuesday. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

The Spurs currently hold the fourth selection in addition to the No. 8 pick, and San Antonio was able to book Clingan for a Zoom meeting this…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-06-25 22:55:31

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