NBA Mock Draft 2020: Edition 3
 |
| Obi Toppin, No. 4 to Chicago |
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia
The Timberwolves made a massive splash in-season to bring in D'Angelo Russell from Golden State, and now they are the early off-season winner by landing the top pick. Conventional wisdom would guess they go either La'Melo Ball or Anthony Edwards this year, but it's still unclear who would be the better fit next to Russell. Edwards is the more traditional collegiate star than La'Melo, which may end up setting him up as the "safe" pick in this Draft.
2. Golden State Warriors
James Wiseman, C, Memphis
This Draft seems particularly thin at the top for big men, making James Wiseman the de-facto favorite. Wiseman surely is talented, and he flashed significant offensive tools in his short stint with Memphis, but he looks like a guy that will need the right system to really reach his ceiling. Golden State could use a big to distract defenses down low beyond Draymond Green, and Wiseman fits the bill.
3. Charlotte Hornets
La'Melo Ball, PG, Australia
This selection may be conflicted by the great play of Devonte Graham in Charlotte, but La'Melo Ball may be too tempting at the three spot to pass up. He's still far from a finished product, but he's really rounded out his game playing professionally throughout his traditional high school years. He's the type of impactful player that can make every single player on the court better, and the Hornets need more weapons offensively.
4. Chicago Bulls
Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
Chicago is hoping firing Jim Boylen and changing up this offense will bring the offensive spark they desperately need, and Obi Toppin seems like a good fit alongside the rest of this roster. He can guard multiple positions, has a pretty versatile offensive game, and he runs the floor. He doesn't have the ceiling others in this Draft might have, but I'd be shocked if he busted.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Deni Avdija, F, Israel
There's a lot of interesting talent in this international class, and Deni Avdija seems like the real headliner. He's got a lot of traits that the NBA loves: size and length, playmaking, and the ability to stretch the floor. Avdija has shown he can handle stiff competition while playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv, and could add an interesting element to this Cleveland roster.
6. Atlanta Hawks
Isaac Okoro, G, Auburn
Atlanta has developed their frontcourt through John Collins and Clint Capela, but they could still use another threat next to Trae Young in the backcourt. Isaac Okoro impressed with Auburn in his lone collegiate season, and he's an elite defender who flashed an aggressive offensive game. He could be the type of prospect that surprises a lot of people with how high he goes.
7. Detroit Pistons
Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State
If not for a broken wrist cost him a significant portion of the 2019-2020 campaign, Tyrese Haliburton might be even be higher on this board. His numbers speak for themselves while at Iowa State, and he's already a proven playmaker at a young age. Detroit's backcourt is amongst the weakest in the league, making this one a no-brainer.
8. New York Knicks
Killian Hayes, PG, France
The Knicks could be a possibility to move up in this Draft but if they stick firm at eight, they'll be hopeful a point guard, their biggest need, is available. The last French point guard to pass through the Big Apple (Frank Ntilikina) didn't work out, but Killian Hayes is significantly more polished at this point in his career, and a ready-made NBA floor general.
9. Washington Wizards
Onyeka Okongwu, F/C, USC
Don't be surprised if Okongwu goes much higher than the nine spot, but he could also slide just a little. He has a lot of attributes that NBA scouts love, such as his length, floor-stretching potential, and athleticism, but he's also fairly raw as well. Even after drafting Rui Hachimura a year ago, Washington continues to strengthen their frontcourt.
10. Phoenix Suns
Cole Anthony, PG, UNC
Playing through injuries and alongside the weakest UNC roster in years, Cole Anthony's lone season in the college ranks was somewhat underwhelming. However, there is no questioning that he has a skilled offensive game that should be able to make the transition to the next level. Pairing him with Devin Booker could create a thrilling backcourt once again in Phoenix.
11. San Antonio Spurs
Devin Vassell, G/F, Florida State
San Antonio is not playing in the NBA postseason for the first time in over two decades, but they can still get back in Western Conference contention with a strong off-season. They need better shooting, making Devin Vassell a nice prize in the late lottery. Vassell is the type of modern "3-and-D" that every NBA organization is looking for, and he is coming off a tremendous '19-'20 with FSU.
12. Sacramento Kings
Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis
The Kings are still hopeful Marvin Bagley III can return healthy and become the impact post player they've lacked for some time now. Even if that does happen, they could use further help in the paint, and Precious Achiuwa offers significant upside. He's a ferocious rebounder and rim runner, but you'd like to see him develop a more well-rounded offensive game.
13. New Orleans Pelicans
Aaron Nesmith, G/F, Vanderbilt
J.J. Redick plays an important role for New Orleans as their floor-spacer, who allows Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson to attack the hoop. However, Redick has just one more year left on the two-year deal he signed last off-season, and he's not getting any younger. Vanderbilt's Aaron Nesmith could take over his role as a sharpshooting wing that plays quality defense as well.
14. Boston Celtics
Theo Maledon, PG, France
Once again loaded with Draft picks this year, Boston takes a chance on a talented, but relatively untested commodity in Theo Maledon. Maledon has caught NBA eyes with his eye-popping athleticism and physical defense, but the holes in his game are on offense. Boston would be a great place for him to develop, as Kemba Walker's understudy.
15. Orlando Magic
Patrick Williams, F, Florida State
Orlando's lack of frontcourt depth has been exposed without Aaron Gordon playing in the bubble, making a forward a likely option at pick 15. Patrick Williams still has a long way to go, but he has significant two-way potential and he's young for this draft class, only 19 years old right now.
16. Portland Trail Blazers
R.J. Hampton, G, New Zealand
R.J. Hampton made waves when he decided to go the international route instead of going to college, and it will be interesting to see where he lands in this Draft. He didn't exactly overwhelm while playing in the NBL, but he's got prototypical combo guard size, and he's already a great passer. He seems like he'd be a fine complement with either Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves
Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova
Adding Anthony Edwards with the first overall selection, Minnesota uses the former Brooklyn selection to add an impactful forward in Saddiq Bey. Bey really flashed this past season at Villanova and he can help a roster in a variety of ways. He also doesn't need to score to impact games, which will be important on a roster that will already include Edwards, D'Angelo, and KAT.
18. Dallas Mavericks
Josh Green, G, Arizona
Josh Green's numbers this past season at Arizona don't exactly pop out at you, but he did show enough to land him somewhere around the mid-first round. He's an excellent spot up shooter and a plus defender, but he's not really a shot creator at this point in his career. He could be useful on a roster like Dallas, where he can take some attention away from Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis on the perimeter.
19. Brooklyn Nets
Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky
I think Brooklyn goes best player available here without an obvious need to take care of, and Tyrese Maxey could end up being quite the get at 19. He's a proven scorer but he is also incredibly streaky, shooting a low percentage from three this past season at Kentucky. That could end up dropping him out of the lottery, but somebody will take a chance on his potential.
20. Miami Heat
Kira Lewis, PG, Alabama
Goran Dragic is nearing the end of his career and Kendrick Nunn probably isn't a long-term starter at the point guard spot. Those concerns should push Miami to use their first-rounder on a new floor general, and I like Lewis' game. He's lightning quick, fearless going to the rim, and an excellent leader. That would certainly check off a lot of boxes for the Heat.
21. Philadelphia Sixers
Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford
Philadelphia will be in store for a major house cleaning this summer after being swept in the first round at the hands of Boston. They'll be in the market for a point guard, even if Ben Simmons comes back healthy and ready to go. Tyrell Terry is more of a combo guard than a true PG, but he proved this past season at Stanford that he could do serious damage whenever he got the ball in his hands.
22. Denver Nuggets
Aleksej Pokusevski, F/C, Serbia
The last two international bigs Denver has drafted are Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert, a nice little run for the organization. They could use some further frontcourt help once again, and they go the international route once again by drafting Pokusevski. The Serbian is just 18 years old and already has shown serious long-term potential as a stretch five, but he'll need to add weight to his frame to survive the NBA.
23. Utah Jazz
Daniel Oturu, F/C, Minnesota
This is the range where we could see a bunch of big men go off the board, including Daniel Oturu out of Minnesota. Oturu impressed in his sophomore season with the Gophers, with an improved back-to-the-basket game but more importantly, decent touch from the outside. He'd be a nice fit in Utah, who lacks much in their frontcourt beyond Rudy Gobert.
24. Milwaukee Bucks
Desmond Bane, G, TCU
The Bucks are pretty clearly in win now mode as an organization, and they can add an immediate impact in Desmond Bane here. Bane, who is 22, shot 44% in his collegiate career with TCU, and he has good size for a wing in the NBA. He continues to add to Milwaukee's outside shooting, opening as many lanes as possible for Giannis.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder
Jahmi'us Ramsey, G, Texas Tech
Jahmi'us Ramsey really got the attention of NBA scouts in his lone season in Lubbock, flashing serious playmaking potential and the ability to hit big shots. He's still fairly streaky, but the tools are already there for him to succeed in the league, and he stays close to home by landing in Oklahoma City.
26. Boston Celtics
Isaiah Stewart, F/C, Washington
Despite being slightly undersized at 6'9", Isaiah Stewart makes up for it with a 7'4" wingspan and incredibly high motor. Even with the Huskies struggling most of the season in the Pac-12, Stewart put up strong numbers and proved he could play well against strong competition. Boston takes a chance on him late in the first, continuing to improve their depth up front.
27. New York Knicks
Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington
One pick after Stewart, his college teammate Jaden McDaniels goes off the board. McDaniels struggled at times in his lone freshman season, posting lower shooting numbers than hoped. He did still flash astounding athleticism and defensive prowess, and I don't see any downside to taking a chance on him late in the first round here.
28. Los Angeles Lakers
Vernon Carey, C, Duke
Both Javale McGee and Dwight Howard will hit free agency over the summer and there's a good chance neither returns as a Laker. Instead, Los Angeles uses their first-round selection to address the position with a high upside prospect in Vernon Carey. You'd like to see Carey grow different parts of his offensive game, but the talent is there.
29. Toronto Raptors
Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona
Fred VanVleet will be an unrestricted free agent this off-season and Kyle Lowry is 34 years old. Toronto has to continue to evaluate their future at point guard, and Nico Mannion could be quite the get so late in Round One. He struggled to shoot in his lone season with Arizona, but he's an elite passer and quality defender.
30. Boston Celtics
Zeke Nnaji, F/C, Arizona
The third Arizona Wildcat off the board, Zeke Nnaji certainly isn't the playmaker that Green or Mannion is, but he still showed to earn first-round billing. Although he's not a true seven-footer, Nnaji has established himself as a skilled rim protector and rebounder. He's not going to shot a lot of threes, but he also has a nice jumper for his position.
No comments:
Post a Comment