With the Boston Celtics holding a 3-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, it won’t be long before all eyes zone in on the draft, which is set for June 26–27.For the first time ever, the draft will span two days. While no player in this year’s pool is as captivating as 2023 No. 1 overall selection Victor Wembanyama, there’s plenty of talent to go around, especially from Wembanyama’s native country of France.Here is our latest lottery mock draft, with just over two weeks left until 58 players hear their names called in New York:1. Atlanta Hawks: Alexandre Sarr, F/C, FranceSarr has started to slip to No. 2 in a handful of mock drafts in favor of fellow Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher, but his defense could do wonders for an Atlanta team that has yet to find its identity on that side of the ball.2. Washington Wizards: Zaccharie Risacher, FranceFew teams shot the 3-pointer worse than Washington this season, and Risacher is starting to become a sharpshooter from distance. He can also defend at a high level, too, making him a lock at No. 2 if Atlanta doesn’t scoop him up.3. Houston Rockets: Donovan Clingan, C, UConnPairing Clingan and Alperen Sengun in the frontcourt someday would give the Rockets a legitimate paint presence while also bolstering their bench, as Jabari Smith Jr. could take on the role of sixth man. 4. San Antonio Spurs: Reed Sheppard, G, KentuckyThere’s not a lot that Wembanyama can’t do, but San Antonio now needs to surround him with shooters, making Sheppard the perfect fit.5. Detroit Pistons: Matas Buzelis, F, G LeagueIf Cade Cunningham can stay healthy and Jaden Ivey continues to develop, the Pistons won’t have to worry about their backcourt for a long time. But Buzelis can help Detroit start to revamp outside of that duo, as the 19-year-old can play virtually anywhere the Pistons need him to. 6. Charlotte Hornets: Rob Dillingham, G, KentuckyInstant offense is Dillingham’s calling card, and he and LaMelo Ball could be special together. That is, of course, if Ball stays healthy and avoids traffic violations.7. Portland Trail Blazers: Stephon Castle, G, UConnIt’s far too early to give up on Scoot Henderson, but he was a bit underwhelming last season. Castle is a do-it-all guy who could bring the Trail Blazers to life.8. San Antonio Spurs: Cody Williams, F, ColoradoThis would be more of a long-term investment for San Antonio, as Williams still has a lot of room for growth, but he could end up paying massive dividends.9. Memphis Grizzlies: Dalton Knecht, G/F, Tennessee Sure, injuries destroyed the Grizzlies in 2023-24, but even at full strength, they don’t really have an offensive spark plug off the bench. Knecht would be just that.10. Utah Jazz: Tidjane Salaun, F, FranceLike Williams, Salaun is going to take time to reach his full potential, but Utah isn’t in win-now mode by any means.11. Chicago Bulls: Kel’el Ware, C, IndianaThe Bulls have been needing someone with bounce down low for years, and Ware’s athleticism would finally give them a true interior threat.12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Zach Edey, C, PurdueOklahoma City won’t need Edey to put up the gaudy scoring numbers that he did in college, but boy oh boy do they need someone to crash the glass.13. Sacramento Kings: Ron Holland, F, G LeagueHolland has a lot of potential as a scorer and would fit right in with a Sacramento team that has been offensive-minded over the past two seasons.14. Portland Trail Blazers: Devin Carter, G, ProvidenceIf the Blazers do end up going with Castle, it would be a bit surprising if they took Carter, too. But Carter doesn’t let his size hold him back, establishing himself as a tenacious rebounder who makes opponents’ lives a heck of a lot harder with his smothering defense. Relatedfootball bettingbetting nflbet on college football gamesnba betbet on mlb gamesbest nhl sportsbooksbest betting sites for ufcbest soccer betting sitescopa america betting sites
Related Posts
Josef Martinez broke an MLS record by scoring in a 10th consecutive game for Atlanta United on Sunday.
The Venezuelan forward headed in a Julian Gressel cross for the opening goal – and MLS record – in the 42nd minute against New York City at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Martinez continuing his hot streak meant he surpassed the previous best mark he briefly shared with Portland Timbers star Diego Valeri.
The 26-year-old has netted 14 times during his run, which started in May, to close in on Los Angeles FC star Carlos Vela atop the MLS goalscoring charts.
goals in 10 consecutive games for !
— Major League Soccer (@MLS)
Vela has struck 22 times for the Western Conference leaders, while Martinez is up to 19 goals.
Former Torino…
Steven Taylor has officially completed his move to Wellington Phoenix. The 32-year-old spent more than twenty years of his life on the books at Newcastle United before eventually departing in 2016, and since then, he s been bouncing around a series of clubs such as Ipswich Town and Peterborough United. Now, however, it s time for him to start a new chapter as he approaches what will likely be the final few years of his playing career.
Taylor was an imposing defender who always seemed to be on the verge of breaking through to that next level, but for one reason or another could never quite manage it. He played for England throughout the youth system but was never able to earn a call-up to the official senior team, although his impact on the game and Newcastle United will likely …
Market: Leicester win
Odds: 2/5 @
Simply looking to widen their buffer at the top of the Championship standings on Tuesday night, Leicester will welcome Swansea to the King Power.
Starting with the hosts, while Leicester might have lost their Premier League status last season, the Foxes are certainly breezing their way to an immediate top-flight return. Opening Tuesday’s showdown at the King Power holding a commanding seven-point buffer over the chasing pack, Enzo Maresca’s side have also broken a string of Championship records. Last seen over the weekend extending on their FA Cup adventure as they claimed a 3-0 romp at home against Birmingham, the former Manchester City coach has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their previous 14 strai…
It is officially true, FIFA have gone totally mad. The FIFA medical chief, Michael D’Hooghe, has said Referees should show more red cards to help curb violent play.
Riches
He also went on to make a link between violent play and the financial riches on offer to players. He produced a DVD of some of football’s worst tackles in recent years to show the delegates at the FIFA medical congress.
We see more violent fouls over the whole world, as games gain in financial importance. Some of the fouls send shivers down your spine. We see more violent fouls over the whole world. The referees have the key. They are the only ones who can impose an immediate sanction. They do not do it often enough and there is a lack of uniformity.
Jose Mourinho says Manchester United are still waiting to receive an appropriate offer for Memphis Depay.
United completed the £24million sale of Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton on Wednesday, but Depay – another player the manager has said he will allow to leave this month – remains.
Lyon have reportedly had a £13m bid rejected for the Netherlands winger, while Everton and Nice have been linked with loan moves, but Mourinho is not keen on a temporary switch.
And he wants to see a better offer before he allows Depay to leave as he seeks more regular first-team football.
The latest is that the offer that we have had is far from being reasonable for us, Mourinho said ahead of Sunday s home Premier League match against Liverpool.
At the moment,…
Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane dismissed speculation over Keylor Navas future as rumours after the goalkeeper s performance in Sunday s 2-1 LaLiga defeat to Sevilla came under scrutiny.
Costa Rica international Navas was criticised for failing to keep out Stevan Jovetic s dramatic winner, as Sevilla came from behind to end Madrid s Spanish record unbeaten run in stoppage time.
Despite helping Madrid to chalk up 40 matches without defeat, the 30-year-old has appeared short of his best form after returning from an Achilles surgery earlier this term.
Madrid have been linked with a move for Chelsea s Thibaut Courtois over recent months, while an attempt to bring in Manchester United s David de Gea with Navas heading in the other direction famously collapsed a…
Managing to claim what was an essential at home against Brentford over the weekend, Liverpool are still believing that they can secure a top-four finish this month.
While Jurgen Klopp’s side might have shown some extended Premier League issues this season, the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss has now seen his side win each of their last six straight top-flight appearances.
However, still needing favours from elsewhere over the final few weeks, Liverpool have come under some scrutiny for their midfield issues this year.
Along with accepting last month that they will be unable to bring Jude Bellingham back to England this summer, veteran star James Milner will be heading to Brighton on a free transfer ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Likewise, with growing specu…
Frank Lampard said pride will motivate his side in the season’s final weeks rather than the impact Chelsea could have on the fates of other teams.
The Blues are adrift in 11th but could yet have a say in the race for the title, the Champions League and the struggle to avoid relegation with games to come against three of the Premier League’s top four after they face 16th-place Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Victory over Steve Cooper’s Forest at Stamford Bridge would open the door for Lampard’s former club Everton to make headway in their bid to avoid the drop, with three points the difference in a tense four-way fight to stay up.
Putting in the work. Forest next.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
With Southampton adrift at the bottom, Leeds and…
Blackburn have confirmed that Australia captain Lucas Neill is currently training with the Championship club.
The 35-year-old defender is desperately searching for a new club in a bid to play regular first-team football ahead of this year s FIFA World Cup.
Neill has been without a club since his short-term deal with J.League outfit Omiya Ardija expired in December.
Perform understands that Neill has been training with Blackburn since arriving in England for Christmas and that there is no timescale on how long he will remain with the club.
The former Blackburn skipper made 227 appearances in all competitions for Rovers and featured in two UEFA Cup campaigns.
He has also played for Millwall, West Ham and Everton in England, but since leaving Galatasaray in 20…
Midfielder Steven Defour will ask to leave Porto amid interest from Anderlecht, Tottenham and Aston Villa, according to his agent.
The Belgium international moved to the Portuguese champions in 2011 from Standard Liege but has made just 13 starts in all competitions this season.
With the 25-year-old eager to secure a place in Marc Wilmots Belgium squad for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, his agent Paul Stefani has revealed Defour will seek a move.
Steven will tell his club he wants to leave because he wants to play in the World Cup, Stefani told DH.be.
Stefani also confirmed that Belgian champions Anderlect are leading the race to sign him.
However, Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham are also interested in acquiring Defour, who was linked with Pr…