Washington Wizards select High-Upside Wing in 2024 NBA Mock Draft

ESPN recently released their first 2024 NBA Mock Draft after the NBA Lottery. In the mock draft, they had the Washington Wizards taking an interesting prospect.

It was another tough season for the Washington Wizards in 2023-24, as they finished with one of the worst records in the league. The Wizards know that they are going to be in the midst of a somewhat long rebuild, and their goal right now has to be to select the best players available.

In the ESPN Mock Draft, they had the Wizards taking Zaccharie Risacher from Bourg. Here’s what they had to say about the selection.

The Wizards’ front office can afford to take a big swing at the top of the draft as the team enters Year 2 of what figures to be a patient, long-term rebuild. Washington’s roster remains fluid into the future, and the team should be looking for the best talent available at this spot. Risacher’s potential to space the floor, defend at a high level, and develop into a quality starter on the wing presents an attractive mix of safety and upside at No. 2. Washington selected another Frenchman, Bilal Coulibaly, in last year’s lottery, and will have an opportunity to keep that trend going, with at least one of Risacher and Sarr available to them here. – Woo

For the Wizards right now, there isn’t much that you can say is going to be a building block for their future. Kyle Kuzma was their leading scorer last season, but even he could likely be moved if the price was right.

By selecting Risacher, the Wizards will be getting another athletic swingman, as they drafted Bilal Coulibaly with the seventh overall pick last year. Coulibaly didn’t do much in his rookie season but is still a very young player the team is seeking to develop.

The upside of Risacher certainly makes sense for the Washington Wizards to select him with the No. 2 pick, as they are in no rush to compete next season.