2024 Draft Odds: No. 2 Overall Pick Prediction

06/20/2024 10:44 AM

The NBA Draft is coming up! We’re here to share our 2024 Draft Odds series and reveal our No. 2 Overall Pick prediction and pick for this draft.

The Washington Wizards currently have the second pick in the draft after their worst season in recent memory. Now, they hope to make a pick that helps begin the turnaround for them. While there is a chance they might trade the pick, it is unlikely. Therefore, we will look at this pick based on what the Washington Wizards need.

The Wizards have many needs. However, the biggest need was on defense. They were 29th in team defense last season, allowing countless teams to score consistently on them. Therefore, they need someone who can help with rim protection and defense. The player who they draft can help with rim protection and also boxing out. Sadly, the Wizards were last in defensive rebounding percentage. Whoever they draft can go a long way toward helping them prevent other teams from grabbing offensive rebounds.

The Wizards are interested in both Alexandre Sarr and Zacharie Risacher. However, there is a chance they might shock people. We are here to look at their options.

Here are the NBA Draft odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NBA Draft Odds: No. 2 Overall Pick Odds

Alexandre Sarr: -115

Zaccharie Risacher: +110

Donovan Clingan: +1200

Reed Sheppard: +1900

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why Alexandre Sarr Will Be The No. 2 Pick

In this scenario, we are assuming the Hawks took Risacher. If that is the case, the Wizards will be more than ecstatic to have Sarr on their squad. Sarr brings the big man they have lacked on defense. He is 7’1 and 224 pounds and brings a toughness they don’t have. He can also be the guy who does the hard work to get to the basketball.

The Wizards already have some offensive weapons in Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. Therefore, picking Sarr could be a better fit for them because he can add the big-man weapon they don’t currently have. Washington will not want to whiff on this. Therefore, Sarr will be the second pick in the draft because he can help them improve their defense and rebounding.

Why Zacharie Risacher Will Be The No. 2 Pick

But if the Hawks grab Sarr, the Wizards will be in a predicament. Ultimately, they will not have the big man they need, and the best player left on the board will be Risacher. It wouldn’t be a bad pick. Consider the fact that the Wizards are in a full-scale long rebound. Ultimately, this means that they do not expect to be competitive for a few seasons.

If the Wizards grab Risacher, they could pair the 6’8 forward with Kuzma and Poole. Risacher is not a bad defender. In fact, he profiles as a two-way player who can go both ways. So, while they might not get the blocks they want, they still might get someone who rebounds. In other words, it would be something that neither Kuzma nor Poole is capable of doing consistently. Risacher will be the second pick because Sarr will be gone, and the Wizards will take the best player left.

Why Donovan Clingan Will Be The No. 2 Pick

But the Wizards might really want a big man. Let’s assume the Hawks grabbed Sarr with the top pick. This means it would be down to Risacher and Donovan Clingan. Could the Wizards shock the world and pick Clingan?

Clingan was supposed to be a top pick before he suffered two separate foot injuries. Therefore, his value plummeted significantly. But Clingan, when healthy, is capable of doing so much on the court. Significantly, one of his highlights came in a win over Illinois when he scored 22 points while shooting 9 for 13 from the floor.

Clingan is a center who protects the rim and grabs boards. Amazingly, he would be a dream for the Wizards and someone who could prevent other teams from taking second and third-chance opportunities. Many compare him to Dereck Lively and Ivica Zubac. He would not be the top scorer on the Wizards. However, that is not what the Wizards need right now. The Boston Celtics just won a title based on the strength of the best defense in basketball. If the Wizards want to get back to respectability, they will follow that pattern.

Why Reed Sheppard Will Be The No. 2 Pick

Reed Sheppard is relatively unknown. Ultimately, he is 19 years old and is a combo guard. Sheppard is a top-five pick who came out of nowhere. He displays great effectiveness and can shoot the rock. Significantly, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 53.6 percent from the floor.

But is he a good fit for the Wizards? On paper, the answer is no. Some people compare him to Donte DiVincenzo and Kirk Hinrich. While he does have a great burst and can get past a defense, he also might not display the defense the Wizards might need.

Final No. 2 Overall Pick Prediction & Pick

We are assuming that the Hawks will grab Risacher. If that is the case, there is only one man who the Wizards will choose, and that is Sarr. He provides the amazing defense and prescience in front of the net that they need. Furthermore, he could prevent other teams from using their muscle all over the Wizards. Washington already has guys who can run and gun. Right now, they need to start building that defense to slowly bring themselves back to respectability.

Click here for more betting news and predictions

Final No. 2 Overall Pick Prediction & Pick: Alexandre Sarr: -115

The post 2024 Draft Odds: No. 2 Overall Pick Prediction appeared first on ClutchPoints.