I’m not going to be too long with this introduction. The draft is pretty unpredictable this year. With the event taking place tonight, I figured it would be fun to create my own mock draft minus the trades because now it seems that role players are worth 4 first-round picks nowadays. This is what I like to call the millionth NBA 2020 mock draft.
1. Timberwolves – Anthony Edwards
To start off on our NBA mock draft. Minnesota needs a guy that can play alongside Towns and D’lo. It’s reported that Wiseman does not want to play in Minnesota. Also, I do not see Lamelo and D’lo sharing the same backcourt, so Edwards would be the safest pick.
2. Warriors – James Wiseman
Golden State has lacked at the center spot for the last twenty years. Well mainly since Chris Webber left town. This is a good place for him to land, he does not need to start right away. His team will already be in title contention in the west and he can develop into one of the best centers in the league.
3. Hornets – Lamelo Ball
Lamelo Ball drops to three. This is a good fit for him. Charlotte can build around him and they have their Kemba Walker replacement. Charlotte has its franchise player
4. Bulls – Deni Avdija
Chicago already has young starters in Wendell Carter and Lauri Markkanen. This would be a great fit for him. Chicago has a lot of young pieces for Billy Donovan to work with.
5. Cavaliers – Onyeka Okongwu
Cleveland already has a lot of young guards. Kevin Love is getting up there in age, He’s not as productive as he once was and the Cavs are looking to move him. He’d be an interesting fit with Drummond.
6. Hawks – Tyrese Haliburton
Someone other than Trae Young needs to score in the backcourt. They get the best guard available.
7. Pistons – Killian Hayes
Detroit is in a major rebuild. They need a guard that can be the future of their team and maybe convince Christian Wood to comeback to the team.
8. Knicks – Obi Toppin
The Knicks are better off missing out on a guard this year and wait until next year to pick one up. Obi Toppin would be the best player available, and he may be able to cover for Mitchell Robinson‘s lack of skill on the offensive end.
9. Wizards – Devin Vassell
Washington needs some scoring on the wing. Bradley Beal cannot do it alone. Especially, when no one knows how well John Wall will be. Vassell will be able to help Beal space the floor and will be an important piece to them with his three-point shooting.
10. Suns – Isaac Okoro
They just got rid of Oubre in the Chris Paul trade. This is really a no brainer here. In a league that is offensive minded, he can be a great defender and develop his offensive game. With Booker and Paul he should have his opportunities to get better on the offensive end.
11. Spurs – Saddiq Bey
DeMar DeRozan is a solid basketball player, but he’s not changing the Spurs franchise and Rudy Gay is getting old. Bey plays very hard and plays defense. The Spurs are in rebuild mode and Bey would be a good fit there.
12. Kings – Aaron Nesmith
Bogdon Bogdanovic is gone and Buddy Hield‘s future is up in the air. Somehow the Kings are thinner at the small forward spot and they get a versatile scorer in Nesmith. He’s not great on the defensive end but he has a lot of potential.
13. Pelicans – Kira Lewis Jr
This would be a great fit for New Orleans they need some backcourt help. Lonzo Ball really struggled in the bubble. Lewis can get to the rim quickly and finish and will fit in with their system.
14. Celtics – Pattrick Williams
Williams would not need to start right away for the Celtics. He has the potential to be a solid starter in the League and helps Boston if they decide to go small.
15. Magic – Cole Anthony
We have reached the halfway point in our NBA mock draft. It’s no secret that the Magic need a guard. I believe Cole Anthony is that guy that can fit in and get points immediately, and he can learn from a vet and be a steal.
16. Rockets – Precious Achiuwa
The Rockets might be going into rebuild mode. They do not have any big men because of the last administration. In Achiuwa they get a guy that can be a double-double machine in the future and get a lot of looks on offense.
17. Timberwolves – RJ Hampton
Minnesota needs a back up guard and they need players. This is a good fit. He can develop without needing to be on the floor right away. He can be a quality scorer.
18. Mavericks – Josh Green
Dallas can pick up Green who can shoot the ball and can play both the two and the three and would develop very well when he plays with the second unit.
19. Nets – Desmond Bane
With Joe Harris possibly leaving. Brooklyn would be able to fill that void with a younger and more well rounded player that can play in the rotation as soon as possible.
20. Heat – Tyrese Maxey
Miami needs backup guard support. Dragic is getting older and can only play offense. Miami needs help on the defensive end and I think Tyrese drops to this spot.
21. 76ers – Tre Jones
The Sixers need someone that can shoot the basketball and handle the ball for the second unit, they need some help, the best part about Jones is that he’s a low risk, high reward player.
22. Nuggets – Robert Woodward II
Denver is a long athletic team, Michael Porter Jr can be a great player in this league and Gary Harris is a solid player, Woodward would be a great fit on this roster with his length and defensive ability.
23. Jazz – Tyrell Terry
Utah is short on point guards. Tyrell may not be the point guard of the future but he can back up Mike Conley.
24. Pelicans – Jalen Smith
Pelicans get another big man, who can protect the rim. It will be hard for him to get minutes but he may end up in the G-League and develop better there.
25. Thunder – Aleksej Pokusevski
A very mysterious prospect. He makes Shawn Bradley look like Ben Wallace. Would be a strong candidate for the G-League. He is very raw and on this team, there would be no rush for him to play now.
26. Celtics – Xavier Tillman
Boston has not had a solid big man back up for a good few years. He would be a good fit for them. He passes the ball well and is a tough defender.
27. Knicks – Cassius Stanley
The Knicks have a glaring hole in their back court and this would be a solid pick. He’s a very tall and athletic guard and could play right away with the team and possibly start.
28. Thunder – Theo Maledon
A young prospect that can play well off screens and can get to the basket, he’s only 19 so he will have a lot of time to develop.
29. Raptors – Leandro Bolmaro
Another raw slasher that will not be ready to play right away. Toronto doesn’t need him that bad but he could be a decent player in the NBA.
30. Celtics – Isaiah Stewart
To end our NBA mock draft and to cap off the round the Celtics get a tall big man and give them reinforcement in the frontcourt. He has a very long wingspan and can have fun with Tacko Fall blocking shots.
My Conclusion
This draft will be crazy. I am mentally tired because there is so much basketball to be watched and guessing where everyone will go is nuts but it was fun. Happy draft season and thank you for tuning into the NBA 2020 mock draft.
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