2020 NBA Mock Draft

Now that the draft starts at 8 P.M. tonight, I decided to release my mock draft a couple hours before.  I originally hoped to release this earlier today, but I waited due to the possibility for trades.  Ultimately, one first round pick and two second round picks were traded today:  the Pistons acquired the 16th pick in the most recent Trevor Ariza trade, the Bucks acquired the 45th pick and the Thunder acquired the 34th pick in an Al Horford trade that happened recently.  

In the past, my mock drafts have been very accurate in the lottery, shaky in the first round, and totally off in the second round.  The second round picks are always off due to trades, but I am still including them to give you an idea of some players to watch out for.  I expect that not all of these players will be drafted, and there will be other players I did not include who will be drafted instead, but that's part of the fun of it.

Before starting the mock draft, I will confess that I am less confident in this mock than any one I've made before:  while I don't expect this, it is entirely possible that every pick in my mock is wrong.  There is speculation that the top two picks could be traded and many of the top picks are polarizing players.  While Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, and LaMelo Ball are considered by many to be the top 3 prospects, It would not surprise me if at least one of them fell as far as outside the top 5.  That said, here is my 2020 mock draft.

1.  Minnesota Timberwolves:  Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia

If they don't trade this pick (I don't think they will at this point), they could also pick LaMelo Ball.  Edwards is a freak athlete, strong finisher, and solid passer, but his effort is inconsistent at best, his defense is even less consistent, and his shot selection is questionable.  Some (including him) compare him to Dwyane Wade, but others (including myself) fear that he is closer to Dion Waiters; I think settling and comparing him to Eric Gordon is fair.  I don't think he's the right fit here, but I think they'll take him.

2.  Golden State Warriors:  James Wiseman, C, Memphis/USA

This is where the madness begins.  I expect this pick will be traded, but who is selected depends on who gets the pick; I've heard the Bulls, Celtics, Hornets, Spurs, Magic, and Knicks as potential teams that could try to trade up.  Wiseman is a freak athlete who could be some mixture of Clint Capela and Rasheed Wallace, but he also is really raw.  If Golden State doesn't want him, expect them to be high on Onyeka Okongwu or a wing (Isaac Okoro and Deni Avdija come to mind).

3.  Charlotte Hornets:  LaMelo Ball, PG, USA

Ball is a polarizing prospect because he is one of the best passers entering a draft I've seen but not a strong defender, has questionable shot selection, and hasn't stuck with a winning team.  That said, while some would go as far as comparing him to Jason Kidd, I would argue he reminds me more of a Rajon Rondo type player offensively; while he's insanely confident (some would argue cocky), he clearly loves the game of basketball.  Charlotte will probably take the best player available; even if they don't want him, there will be a team that does and trades for him.

4.  Chicago Bulls:  Deni Avdija, SF, Israel

There is a lot that Advija does well, including playmaking and defending, but his shooting is probably worrisome.  That said, if Lauri Markannen stays and shoots well, the lack of a stroke from Avdija isn't as concerning.  He reminds me a lot of prime Nicolas Batum in how he can do a lot of things well while playing multiple positions, which is certainly beneficial to a team.  I have heard him linked to the Bulls frequently.

5.  Cleveland Cavaliers:  Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton

Toppin is my favorite player in the draft and is my early prediction for Rookie of the Year.  He is an explosive offensive player who can also shoot and handle the ball in small doses, but there are concerns regarding his defense.  He reminds me of somewhere between Amar'e Stoudemire and John Collins, but I think his ceiling could be closer to Stoudemire's.  Since he's probably the best offensive player available, it makes sense for the Cavs to select him.

6.  Atlanta Hawks:  Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State

While there's discussion that this pick could be traded, Haliburton makes the most sense if the Hawks keep this pick.  Trae Young could really use someone else to handle the ball at times; Haliburton does that.  He has an odd shooting form but it works really well; he's good on the catch and shoot.  He plays hard, does a lot of things well, and doesn't need to be the center of attention; think a Kyle Lowry while not being as good a defender - maybe something like Sam Cassell?  Either way, he's a good player to be a sidekick for Young.

7.  Detroit Pistons:  Patrick Williams, SF, Florida State

I'm not particularly sold on Patrick Williams because he's so raw and I don't know that he'll be a star; in fact, I don't know what his ceiling could be.  Danillo Gallinari?  Paul Millsap?  PJ Tucker?  Scottie Pippen?  Probably not the latter, but I think that's why certain teams seem to be high on him.  He can defend well but his shot was a bit off this year.  I don't like the fit with Detroit since they could really use a star and more reliable players are available, but I keep hearing him there.  He's not a bad player, but he'll be a project.

8.  New York Knicks:  Killian Hayes, PG, France

If Hayes is still on the board here, the Knicks will probably be thanking their lucky stars.  He is a strong playmaker and can be a guy who takes over games, but he's not the most athletic and, while it looked pretty, the shot wasn't particularly accurate.  I'm not sure what his ceiling is; I've heard some say D'Angelo Russell, but I think Hayes will be more of a playmaker than Russell and not the same scorer he is.  That said, he can be a player the Knicks have been looking for.

9.  Washington Wizards:  Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC

Okongwu seemed primed to be the Warriors little secret, but now several teams love him.  Every draft, there's a player that is similar to Al Horford in the way that they can do so much to win while not command the ball to shoot much, and Okongwu is the guy this year.  He reminds me more of Bam Adebayo without quite the passing ability yet (maybe passing more like Robert Williams in the Bubble, which is still good).  It wouldn't surprise me if he is selected prior, but if he isn't the Wizards will hit a gold mine.

10.  Phoenix Suns:  Devin Vassell, SF, Florida State

Now that the Suns acquired Chris Paul and traded Kelly Oubre, it makes sense to stack up on 3-and-D wings.  Vassell can defend decently, is a strong shooter, plays hard, and can make nice passes in the right amount of doses.  He reminds me a little bit of a guy like Khris Middleton:  he won't be the best player on the team, but he will contribute in a big way; this is just what the Suns need.

11.  San Antonio Spurs:  Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn

If Okoro somehow manages to fall to the Spurs, they've got themselves a steal.  Okoro is a jack of all trades kind of player:  good defender, good playmaker, hard worker, can finish, and wants to win.  The biggest reasons he could slip are that he doesn't necessarily do any of those at an elite level and he frankly can't shoot.  I want to compare him to Jonathan Isaac, but I think Isaac is a better defender and Okoro is a better playmaker; maybe Justise Winslow is a better comparison.  I don't think he'll be a superstar, but getting him at 11 is huge.

12.  Sacramento Kings:  Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova

Since Bogdan Bogdanovic might be involved in a sign-and-trade (that's up in the air currently), the Kings might want to add players who are strong shooters.  Bey is a great selection because he can shoot well and defend well.  It wouldn't surprise me if he winds up being a player who guards multiple positions well, shoots well, and just is a pest to have to face; he reminds me a bit of Robert Covington or Jae Crowder.  I think the fit works very well for the Kings.

13.  New Orleans Pelicans:  Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt

I'll confess, I have no idea what the Pelicans will do here and I've heard mixed signals.  They just traded Jrue Holiday, but acquired Eric Bledsoe and George Hill, both of whom should help the team compete.  I figure that when in doubt, predict a strong shooter, and Nesmith was elite last year.  He did get injured last year, which could hurt his stock and cause him to fall, but pairing a shooter like him with Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball would be fun to watch; think something like Buddy Hield.

14.  Boston Celtics:  Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama

I'm expecting the Celtics will trade at least one pick (probably more), but Lewis makes a lot of sense here.  He reminds me a lot of fellow Alabama player Collin Sexton since he plays fast and hard, but I think Sexton is better at finishing and drawing contact while I consider Lewis a better shooter and playmaker.  If the Celtics keep this pick, he will make a lot of sense as a scorer of the bench and as the backup point guard to fill the void likely to be created by Brad Wanamaker.

15.  Orlando Magic:  Tyrese Maxey, SG/PG, Kentucky

Maxey is a guy who plays hard and seems to make winning plays whether he's the star or the sidekick.  He could pair well with Markelle Fultz if his shot improves a little.

16.  Detroit Pistons:  R.J. Hampton, SG, USA

The Pistons should be in the business of getting the best player available; Hampton has the potential to be a star, is a hard worker, and has a higher floor than many available.

17.  Minnesota Timberwolves:  Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis

Achiuwa makes a lot of sense here to be a defensive option alongside Karl-Anthony Towns.

18.  Dallas Mavericks:  Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Greece

This pick will probably be traded, but he makes sense here due to his playmaking and shooting potential, but he also makes sense as a fit with Porzingis down low.

19.  Brooklyn Nets:  Josh Green, SG, Arizona

I'm expecting Brooklyn trades this pick, but no matter where he goes, Green could fit.  He plays hard, is a quality 3-and-D guy, and plays hard in the role he's in.

20.  Miami Heat:  Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland

While not the defensive player who will start yet, Smith is a quality shooting big man; think someone like Kelly Olynyk, who had a role with Miami the last few years.

21.  Philadelphia 76ers:  Cole Anthony, SG/PG, UNC

While I think Tyrell Terry is a better fit for Philadelphia, they could use another point guard who can shoot; Anthony will shoot better without the same load at UNC.

22.  Denver Nuggets:  Desmond Bane, SG, TCU

I'm not sure who Denver takes, but Bane is a guy who can shoot, defend, and play hard; that's always a beneficial player to have off the bench.

23.  New York Knicks:  Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford

This pick depends on who New York takes with pick number 8, but Terry is a good enough shooter that there's no reason to think he won't fit.

24.  New Orleans Pelicans:  Theo Maledon, PG, France

25.  Oklahoma City Thunder:  Jaden McDaniels, PF, Washington

McDaniels' inconsistency in college will make him slip, but his ceiling is high enough to make him a no-brainer for a rebuilding Thunder team.

26.  Boston Celtics:  Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington

No matter who gets this pick, Stewart is a center who plays hard and, while he doesn't have the fundamentals of most top picks, he will find a role.

27.  Utah Jazz:  Malachi Flynn, PG, San Diego State

Worst case scenario is that Mike Conley struggles and Flynn gets more playing time, best case scenario is that Conley thrives.  Either way, Flynn makes a lot of sense as a backup here.

28.  Oklahoma City Thunder:  Leandro Balmaro, SF, Spain

Balmaro is a strong playmaker for his size, but struggles with shooting.  Keeping him in Europe for a year could do wonders for his fit there.

29.  Toronto Raptors:  Zeke Nnaji, C, Arizona

Nnaji will be a quality fit with the Raptors to give them some youth at the big spot and additional explosiveness.

30.  Boston Celtics:  Tre Jones, PG, Duke

Jones will be a quality backup point guard in the NBA; there will be a role for him no matter where he is.

31.  Dallas Mavericks:  Robert Woodard, SG, Mississippi State

32.  Charlotte Hornets:  Vernon Carey Jr., C, Duke

33.  Minnesota Timberwolves:  Tyler Bey, SF, Colorado

34.  Oklahoma City Thunder:  Jahmi'us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech

35.  Sacramento Kings:  Nico Mannion, Arizona, PG

36.  Philadelphia 76ers:  Devon Dotson, PG, Kansas

37.  Washington Wizards:  Xavier Tillman, PF, Michigan State

38.  Utah Jazz:  Daniel Otura, C, Minnesota

39.  New Orleans Pelicans:  Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State

40.  Memphis Grizzlies:  Cassius Stanley, SG, Duke

41.  San Antonio Spurs:  Isaiah Joe, SG, Arkansas

42.  New Orleans Pelicans:  Grant Riller, PG, Charleston

43.  Sacramento Kings:  Paul Reed, PF, DePaul

44.  Chicago Bulls:  Payton Pritchard, PG, Oregon

45.  Milwaukee Bucks:  Skylar Mays, SG, LSU

46.  Portland Trail Blazers:  Reggie Perry, PF, Mississippi State

47.  Boston Celtics:  Immanuel Quickley, PG, Kentucky

48.  Golden State Warriors:  Elijah Hughes, SG, Syracuse

49.  Philadelphia 76ers:  Abdoulaye N'Doye, PG, France

50.  Atlanta Hawks:  Jay Scrubb, SG, John A. Logan (JUCO)

51.  Golden State Warriors:  Killian Tillie, PF, Gonzaga

52.  Sacramento Kings:  Udoka Azubuike, C, Kansas

53.  Oklahoma City Thunder:  Josh Hall, SG/SF, Moravian Prep (High School)

54.  Indiana Pacers:  Jordan Nwora, SF, Louisville

55.  Brooklyn Nets:  Yam Madar, PG, Israel

56.  Charlotte Hornets:  Kenyon Martin Jr., PF, IMG Academy (High School)

57.  Los Angeles Clippers:  Sam Merrill, SG, Utah State

58.  Philadelphia 76ers:  Paul Eboua, PF, Italy

59.  Toronto Raptors:  Ty-Shon Alexander, PG, Creighton

60.  New Orleans Pelicans:  Lamar Stevens, PF, Penn State