The NBA Draft is here and rumors have shifted into full gear.
In the lead-up to the draft, the Thunder took a big step toward title contention, acquiring All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso from the Bulls in exchange for Josh Giddey while the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges from the Nets. Expect more teams to try to pull off major deals to catch up to the champion Celtics.
In a year where there is not a consensus top prospect, the uncertainty around the Hawks' first overall selection adds an element of excitement for the draft. With uncertainty comes speculation and rumors, and plenty have already piled up ahead of Wednesday's coverage of the first round.
Here is a round-up of the most recent NBA Draft chatter.
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NBA Draft rumors 2024: Tracking the latest leaks, news and trades
Thunder looking to acquire additional first round pick
Date: June 26
Source: Jake Fischer, Yahoo Sports
The Thunder own the No. 12 overall pick in this year's draft but are looking to acquire an additional first-round pick in the 20s, according to Fischer.
OKC is looking to build on an impressive season in which it finished first in the Western Conference but fell short to Dallas in the West Semifinals.
Hawks 'closing in' on Zaccharie Risacher for No. 1 pick
Date: June 26
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
Ahead of the draft, ESPN's Wojnarowski reports that Atlanta is focusing on France's Risacher for the top pick. Risacher, 19, is coming off of an impressive season in France's LNB Pro A and has the potential to be an elite shooter.
Wizards acquire No. 14 pick from Trail Blazers in exchange for Deni Avdija
Date: June 26
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
After a strong season in Washington, Avdija is headed to Portland, according to Wojnarowski. The Wizards will receive Malcolm Brogdon and the 14th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Because the deal is not yet official, the pick will likely still be announced as the Blazers pick, but the selection will eventually be rerouted to Washington.
Hornets 'could be targeting' France's Tidjane Salaun with No. 6 pick
Date: June 26
Source: Krysten Peek, Yahoo Sports
It's a new era in Charlotte under head coach Charles Lee, who was introduced one day before the draft.
The Hornets have been mentioned in several rumors but the latest has the team staying put at sixth overall to select France's Tidjane Salaun. Salaun, a 6-9 forward from France, spent the past two seasons with Chalet Basket of the LNB Pro A. He will turn 19 in August.
Rockets continue to field offers for No. 3 pick
Date: June 26
Source: Kelly Iko, The Athletic
The Rockets own the third overall pick, which multiple teams are bidding on, according to Iko.
Memphis is looking to move up for a chance to select UConn's Donovan Clingan and Houston has interest in acquiring Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart. The Hornets have also expressed interest in the third overall pick and the Rockets are reportedly interested in Hornets big man Mark Williams.
Lakers plan to keep No. 17 pick
Date: June 25
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
After rumors that the Lakers would trade the No. 17 overall pick, the franchise appears intent on keeping its first-round pick, Wojnarowski said during a SportsCenter appearance.
As LA looks to rise back in the Western Conference standings, it will look to add a draft pick capable of cracking the team's rotation.
Nets, Rockets load up on draft capital
Date: June 25
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
After moving Mikal Bridges, the Nets appear to be signaling a rebuild as they have acquired more future draft capital in a deal with the Rockets.
Here are the terms, per Wojnarowski:
Brooklyn has a deal with Houston to return the Nets’ 2026 first-round pick for a 2027 Phoenix Suns first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Rockets also acquire 2025 right to swap Houston/OKC first for 2025 Suns first-round pick.
Wojnarowski added that the Rockets are also stockpiling draft capital with their sights set on acquiring Kevin Durant from the Suns.
Knicks acquire Mikal Bridges from Nets to complete Nova York quartet
Date: June 25
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
Back together again. New York has acquired forward Mikal Bridges, according to Wojnarowski. The move rejoins Bridges with college teammates Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart.
To acquire Bridges, the Knicks parted ways with Bojan Bogdanovic and the following draft capital: four unprotected picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031) a 2025 protected Milwaukee first, a 2028 unprotected pick swap and a 2025 second-round pick.
Lakers have made 17th pick available via trade
Date: June 24
Source: Jake Fischer, Yahoo Sports
After hiring head coach JJ Redick, the Lakers are looking for ways to immediately upgrade their roster to support Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
To do so, the Lakers have made the 17th overall pick in this draft available via trade, per Fischer. Among players the Lakers could target are Atlanta's Dejounte Murray and Portland's Jerami Grant.
If the trade is not for a player, LA could use its pick to move back in the draft, adding more draft capital to potentially select Bronny James.
Rockets willing to move No. 3 pick to acquire talent
Date: June 24
Source: Marc Stein, NBA insider
Houston finished with a 41-41 record in 2023-24 but currently owns the third overall pick, which originally belonged to Brooklyn.
The Rockets are looking to leap toward playoff contention and are willing to part ways with the pick, with their eyes set on Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart, according to Stein. In this scenario, Memphis would move up to third overall to select UConn's Donovan Clingan while Houston would get Smart and the ninth overall pick.
Smart and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka proved to be a fruitful pairing during their one season together in Boston. If not Smart, the Rockets are monitoring for other stars that may become available on the trade market.
Trail Blazers are considering Zach Edey at No. 7
Date: June 24
Source: Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer
Portland owns two lottery picks (Nos. 7 and 14) in 2024 and could use the seventh pick to take Purdue's two-time National Player of the Year, per O'Connor.
"The Blazers also worked out Purdue center Zach Edey earlier in the month, and people around the NBA believe that they are also extremely high on him … The bottom line is that the Blazers seem to be looking to come away with a center to pair with Scoot Henderson and their other young pieces."
Spurs are interested in acquiring No. 1 pick
Date: June 22
Source: Marc Stein, NBA insider
There are "rumbles" of San Antonio's interest in trading up to acquire this year's No. 1 overall pick from Atlanta.
The Spurs currently own picks Nos. 4 and 8 in 2024 but could look to consolidate draft capital to move up and select the prospect of their choice to pair alongside last year's No. 1 pick, Victor Wembanyama. French center Alex Sarr is a presumed target, per Stein.
Alex Sarr viewed as 'a lock' to go to Washington
Date: June 21
Source: Jonathan Givony, ESPN
With Sarr's camp supposedly against the idea of Atlanta, the French center is heavily linked to the Wizards, according to Givony. Washington will select second overall in 2024.
“I think No. 2 is pretty much a lock to be Alex Sarr to Washington," Givony said during a Friday appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter.
MORE: Who is Alex Sarr? Meet potential No. 1 pick in 2024 NBA Draft
Atlanta is not a situation Alex Sarr's agency wants
Date: June 21
Source: Jake Fischer, Yahoo Sports
Sarr, a 7-foot center from France, is one of the prospects viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick. According to Fischer, Sarr's agency does not want its client with the Hawks, deeming Atlanta a bad fit.
"Right now all this word that Atlanta is not a situation that WMA wants," Fischer said. "They don’t want him to be a member of the Hawks, which could cost him $9 million in theory over the course of four years. It’s all about that second contract. It’s all about fit.”
Several teams could engage in pick swaps
Date: June 21
Source: Jake Fischer, Yahoo Sports
Several teams could be aggressive in trading picks in this year's draft, according to Fischer.
The Hornets, who select sixth overall and the Trail Blazers, who select seventh overall are exploring the possibility of moving up in the draft. The Rockets, who own the No. 3 pick, are listening to offers while the Wizards appear intent on staying at No. 2.
Atlanta is not actively pursuing a trade but would reportedly listen to the right deal.
Thunder, Bulls complete trade involving Alex Caruso and Josh Giddey
Date: June 21
Source: Official
One day after reports of the trade surfaced, the Thunder and Bulls finalized a trade sending Caruso to Oklahoma City and Giddey to Chicago.
No draft picks were involved in the trade but Oklahoma City owns the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Adding Caruso to their rotation could shape the Thunder's approach to the upcoming NBA Draft.
TRADE GRADES: Why Thunder are clear winners in Josh Giddey-Alex Caruso swap
Donovan Clingan 'gaining momentum' as potential No. 1 pick
Date: June 20
Source: Kelly Iko, The Athletic
Through a Rockets lens, Iko described Houston's chance of selecting Clingan first overall as less of a possibility given his rising stock and links to the Hawks. Should Clingan go first overall, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr could fall from being the believed top two picks.
Lakers, Mavericks, Raptors, Suns and Timberwolves interested in Bronny James
Date: June 19
Source: Rich Paul, to ESPN's Jonathan Givony
Paul, who represent James and his father, LeBron, suggested that in addition to the two teams Bronny has worked out for (Lakers and Suns), several other teams could select him in the upcoming NBA Draft.
There are other teams that love Bronny. For example, Minnesota, Dallas, Toronto. …
If it's not the Lakers, it will be someone else. Minnesota would love to get Bronny in, but I don't know who their owner is going to be. [Mavs GM] Nico Harrison is like an uncle to Bronny. If the Lakers don't take him at 55, Dallas would take him at 58 and give him a guaranteed deal. Masai [Ujiri, Raptors president], loves him. They could take him without even seeing him at 31.
