The Washington Wizards are amid a steep search for improvement after they finished the 2023-24 season with the second-to-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Washington possesses the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. There are several prospects on their radar, but rumors suggest an increased link to French center Alex Sarr. Sarr could go No. 1 overall to the Atlanta Hawks, but new developments suggest otherwise.

ESPN's NBA Draft analysts revealed Sarr's growing momentum with the Wizards amid his uncertain standing with the Hawks and other teams.

“With days to go until the draft, rival teams are viewing Washington as Sarr's likely destination. Sarr still has not worked out for Atlanta at No. 1, although the Hawks have continued to try to bring him in. He is thought to be comfortable coming off the board one spot later, with the Wizards' younger roster offering a clearer path to playing time and an opportunity to grow into an expanded role. It's worth noting that Risacher visited the Wizards over the weekend, meeting team brass and touring the city,” ESPN's Jonathan Givoy and Jeremy Woo noted.

Similarly, ClutchPoints' NBA Insider Brett Siegel believes the Wizards have made Sarr a priority. Siegel projects the Hawks to select former UConn basketball center Donovan Clingan with their first pick in ClutchPoints' fourth 2024 NBA Mock Draft interaction. This leaves the door open for Sarr to join Washington.

Examining Alex Sarr's fit with the Wizards

At 7'1″ with a 7'4″ wingspan, Alex Sarr can cover ground like few can. Offensively, he can play on the perimeter or the post. The 19-year averaged 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game with the NBL's Perth Wildcats. In addition, he shot 50 percent from the field along with 27.6 on three-pointers.

The Wizards could make use of Sarr's upside to fill the void Daniel Gafford left after the was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2023-24. Of course, Sarr would not have to take on the center duties alone. Washington possesses the services of former lottery pick Marvin Bagley III. Bagley dealt with injury woes in 2023-24, but once healthy, he can still be a factor alongside Sarr.

Through 24 games, Bagley averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks. Bagley is not the only one who would support Sarr. New head coach Brian O'Keefe seems to have faith in the front office's plan to select Sarr, or whoever their next project will be. In addition, there is another key young player Sarr could thrive alongside.

“Newly appointed head coach Brian Keefe has the full belief of Washington's front office when it comes to beginning a new era of Wizards basketball, and Sarr would be the ideal fit alongside 2023 first-round pick Bilal Coulibaly, given both players' length and defensive attributes,” Brett Siegel stated.

Siegel further proposed that Sarr would be a sound fit for the power forward position. This would help give the Wizards more flexibility. It will be interesting to see how Washington handles their options by the time the 2024 NBA Draft rolls around.

Can the organization make the right moves t help the team improve upon their subpar standing in the East?