While the NBA undergoes its quarantine-laden finish to the season, future stars await their destiny. Talents like Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman are waiting in the wings to be selected in the next NBA Draft. Several franchise-altering prospects will fly off the boards early on, which also include the rising Obi Toppin. Point guard talent are aplenty for this draft, with Ball leading the hype train. Will LaMelo surpass his brother Lonzo in the pros? Only time will tell, but many scouts, as well as father LaVar Ball, find him already more gifted than than Lonzo. The draft lottery is yet to happen, but the Golden State Warriors currently hold the top pick after a porous season. Going strictly off of current positioning, here’s my take on how the draft could go, starting with the Warriors:
1. Golden State Warriors – Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia.
Three players can easily be had with this pick: Edwards, James Wiseman and Obi Toppin. I opted for Edwards because he’s the most explosive of the three. Edwards has drawn Dwyane Wade comparisons with his ability to score at will. He’s a shot-taker and doesn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on a look he likes. He won’t get the same amount of shots on a Warrior team that already has shooting firepower with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but he’ll add an extra wrinkle to an offense that, once all together and healthy, will launch the franchise back to the top of the NBA food chain. Shot selection will be an area he’ll need to improve on (40 percent from the field in lone season at Georgia), and Golden State is the perfect place to help with that.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – LaMelo Ball, PG, USA.
After two straight years of picking shoot-first point guards (Collin Sexton and Darius Garland), the Cavaliers finally get someone who can lead the offense. Ball has had quite a dramatic journey to this draft, going from high school in the U.S. to multiple international squads, all while soaking up celebrity status amplified by his outspoken father and blooming brother, the latter currently in the league. At 6’8″, Ball has great court vision and is an instant creator, but he’s also a solid scorer and excellent rebounder. At far under 200 pounds, he could use some bulk to bang around the sturdier guards in the league, but his offensive prowess is more than enough to bring franchise star power back to Cleveland for the first time since LeBron James.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves – Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn.
After trading Andrew Wiggins (seemingly at long last), the T-Wolves are in need of his replacement at small forward. Josh Okogie currently fills that role, but at 6’4″, he’s more suited at shooting guard, while 2019 first-round pick Jarrett Culver has been subpar. Okoro is young (19-years-old) and very athletically gifted. He can attack the hoop at will and is a solid perimeter defender with more room to grow. His three-point and free-throw shooting can definitely use some improvement (28 percent from three, 67 percent from the line at Auburn last season), but his intangibles and motor can make the adjustment process smoother.
4. Atlanta Hawks – James Wiseman, C, Memphis.
This selection is more about talent than fit. The Hawks already have Clint Capela, but Wiseman can be a more developed version of him with legitimate star power tied to his name. Yes, he played only a handful of games in college, but he was stellar in those games while displaying great defense, rebounding and finish at the rim. He’s dependable at the free-throw line (70 percent) and has excellent athleticism as a big. Defensively challenged Atlanta won’t be challenged much longer with Wiseman anchoring the paint. Along with John Collins and All-Star point guard Trae Young, a triple threat could be looming here.
5. Detroit Pistons – Deni Avdija, SF, Israel.
Blake Griffin, when healthy, is a difference-maker on any team. The key word is “healthy”, which he’s hardly been for this franchise. The Pistons need a cornerstone – a versatile one at that. Avdija goes here over an Obi Toppin because he’s a point forward that can get a starting lineup and bench rolling. At 6’9″ with tremendous passing ability, Avdija can fill the stat sheet as a do-it-all wing, along with a nice touch from beyond the arc. He can be that right building block that Griffin was supposed to be, what Andre Drummond didn’t appear to be.
6. New York Knicks – Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC.
Julius Randle is an attack-first power forward who’s a handful off the dribble. Mitchell Robinson is a shot-blocking, rebounding machine. Okongwu gives you the best of both. Arguably one of the surefire prospects in this draft, Okongwu is excellent off the pick-and-roll (offensively and defensively) and a great finisher at the rim. He can defend inside and out, despite being undersized as a center and a bit massive for a perimeter defender. Shooting 61 percent from the field, 72 percent from the line and blocking three shots per game at USC, Okongwu looks built for most NBA starting lineups. There’s still a need of an upgrade at point guard to feed Okongwu, but the draft has plenty to choose from.
7. Chicago Bulls – Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt.
The young Bulls appear to be trending upward with their talent and have their starting five almost set – with the small forward position being the only exception. Enter Nesmith, a perfect fit who can drain threes like nobody’s business (averaged four a game last season at Vanderbilt). Nesmith has the ability to spark a run on his own from beyond the arc, showing NBA-style elusivity in working screens to get to his sweet spots. He may not be the scoring dynamo he was as a Commodore (23 per game at Vandy), but he can be an immediate starter alongside burgeoning point guard Coby White and leading scorer Zach LaVine. He has a foot injury that ended his last season, but in due time, he’ll be a key piece of a team that’s on the rise.
8. Charlotte Hornets – Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton.
After losing All-Star Kemba Walker to free agency, the Hornets have been in desperate need of a marketable star. Toppin is the answer, and a steal at this pick, considering he could easily go No. 1 in this draft. He’s an explosive fast-break machine with scoring prowess inside and out. Toppin shot over 60 percent in each of his two seasons at Dayton, while showing a dependability to nail threes at a high clip (41 percent career). He’s not very athletic and could be more of an aggressive rebounder, but his tools for lighting up a scoreboard make for progress on this Charlotte team that needs him more than vice-versa.
9. Washington Wizards – Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis.
Despite the MVP-level production from superstar Bradley Beal, the Wizards still stunk overall, mainly due to an embarrassing defensive output every night. Allowing nearly 120 points per game on 49 percent shooting while being the worst rebounding team in the league this season, it’s “precious” that they land Precious Achiuwa, who can help fill both voids. Achiuwa came off a double-double season at Memphis (15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds per game), and at 6’9, 225 pounds, he’s quite an impressive shot-blocker (1.9 per game). He’s not a good shooter, and questions are still abound whether he can be a small-ball center, but his energy and knack for getting to the ball will log him crucial minutes under Scott Brooks. Pairing him with a more offensive forward in Rui Hachimura could help Beal hugely on both ends of the floor now.
10. Phoenix Suns – Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky.
Los Angeles Clippers’ sixth-man extraordinaire Lou Williams is often hailed as a “professional scorer”. Maxey presents that same potential, showcasing the ability to score in bunches from anywhere on the court. Devin Booker needs another guard who can run wild and take pressure off of him; Maxey is a combo guard who can play alongside the All-Star, or give him rest on the bench. He’s also a tenacious defender, something current starting point guard Ricky Rubio isn’t. At 6’3″, he’s a bit undersized to play the off guard, but his talent can’t be held out of any rotation.
11. San Antonio Spurs – Patrick Williams, SF, Florida State.
What made the Spurs relevant year-in and year-out under Gregg Popovich was defense. Potentially facing a rare non-playoff ending to their season, a 24th-ranked scoring defense needs to be addressed. Williams is not much of a scorer (9.2 points per game last season), but he has great athleticism and can defend multiple positions at 6’8″ (6’11” wing span). His hard-hat style of play fits well under Popovich, and this is the right spot for his shooting to be improved upon. Popovich did it for Kawhi Leonard, and he can definitely do the same for this versatile combo-forward.
12. Sacramento Kings – Saddiq Bey, PF, Villanova.
Luke Walton badly needs depth at forward. There’s no one to spell Harrison Barnes’ minutes at small forward, and the power forward position is an underwhelming and injury-filled mess. Bey, likely the best 3-and-D prospect in this draft, is a marksman from beyond the arc, shooting 45 percent from three for the Wildcats last season. He’s a great perimeter defender who can cover different positions. Bey’s not great at creating his own shot due to his lack of maneuverability, but he can’t be left alone. Bey should be an excellent swingman role player for this young Kings lineup in need of defense and more consistent shooting prowess.
13. New Orleans Pelicans – Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State.
Very rare for a team to draft a player that’s almost identical to its blossoming starter, but this is a good case here. There’s no real point guard depth beyond Lonzo Ball, as Jrue Holiday starts and occupies a lot of time in the off guard position. Haliburton’s drawn more comparisons to Lonzo than Lonzo’s own brother LaMelo, as his basketball IQ and passing ability is top-notch. He’s a pickpocket on defense (2.5 per game last season at Iowa State) and a very solid rebounder for his size (6.5 per game). He could add some more weight to his frame and be more assertive in drawing fouls, because 185 pounds and two free-throw attempts per game are a bad mixture for an NBA point guard. However, Haliburton’s skill set and uptempo style fits this team perfectly. For a Pelicans team that is talented across the starting lineup, subbing a Lonzo Ball for another is only a problem for the opponent.
14. Portland Trail Blazers – Killian Hayes, PG, France.
When Damian Lillard is running the floor for the Blazers, Portland is a nightly threat and consistent playoff darkhorse. However, the team rises and falls on his availability and ability to produce, and that must be helped with a substitute producer. Hayes has been considered the sleeper of this draft, displaying James Harden-like handles and a very good eye for finding guys off the pick-and-roll. He can play either guard position and could give Dame Dolla a lot of rest time while he dances through screens. Hayes, however, is not a great athlete, is strictly a lefty scorer and needs to master his three-point shot. But his upside is huge, and Lillard is the best tutor to get the most out of him.
15. Orlando Magic – Devin Vassell, SG, Florida State.
Let’s set the record straight: Evan Fournier is a riser that’s reached his high point in Orlando blue. He’s a sharpshooter averaging a career-high 18.8 points per game and 40 percent from beyond the arc, but he has a player option after the season. He’ll be an extremely coveted free agent if he gets there, and the middling Magic may not be in the front of the line of enticing landing spots. Vassell, a much more athletically gifted and explosive player than Fournier, could slide right in sooner than later. He doesn’t shoot many threes, but he lands them at an over-40-percent clip. Vassell’s also a great rebounder at his position, nabbing five a game last season with the Seminoles. His surprising lower scoring output (12.7 points per game in 28.8 minutes per game last season), is a cause for concern production-wise, but Vassell may just be getting started with his well-rounded ability to cover most statistical categories.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves – RJ Hampton, PG, USA.
With multiple picks in the first round, this pick is more about depth, and the T-Wolves need someone at point guard after D’Angelo Russell. Hampton is very much a Dante Exum/Shaun Livingston type of point guard, with an exceptional combination of size and speed at the position, while displaying a very solid mid-range game. Hampton’s road to the pros somewhat mirrors higher pick LaMelo Ball, as the Texas native skipped his final year of high school (finished by taking online courses) to play overseas for more pro experience. His play in New Zealand hurt his stock a bit, as his shooting was subpar all over the place (40 percent from the field, 29 percent from three, 67 percent from the line for New Zealand). Still, his ability to attack the hoop belongs in the NBA, and developing his shot behind Russell is a nice start.
17. Boston Celtics – Jaden McDaniels, PF, Washington.
Jayson Tatum has rose to the top of the Celtics franchise being a tweener forward. He’s spent plenty of time at both small and power forward, depending on tempo and situation on the court. But his natural spot is at small forward. McDaniels, a slender, yet versatile power forward at 6’9″, 200 pounds, can slide right in at the four. He can bring talent to a position that’s lacking it off the bench. He can score inside and out, creating various mismatches for his position by creating his own shot on most possessions. He can defend on the perimeter, while displaying some shot blocking ability. He definitely needs to bulk up to be able to bang with the others in the paint when things slow down. But overall, McDaniels can be a great addition to this rotation, which does a nice job of playing small and big on a consistent basis, opening opportunities down the road for McDaniels to play three spots (small forward and center).
18. Milwaukee Bucks – Josh Green, SG, Arizona.
This is a match made in draft heaven. Green’s play screams Bucks and head coach Mike Budenholzer, who highly covets players who can defend multiple positions. Green is still developing his three-point shot, but at 6’6″, he has a nice court vision to play point guard, while also being able to handle the small forward spot. He’s a pickpocket on the floor, averaging nearly two steals a game at Arizona last season. His three-point touch can be helped in the pros, and when that comes to fruition, the Bucks may have a diamond in the rough.
19. Brooklyn Nets – Cole Anthony, PG, Duke.
This pick is a response to the question marks surrounding Kyrie Irving’s future in the league, as well as Spencer Dinwiddie’s popularity. Irving has been very vocal in his stance on racial inequality amidst the George Floyd murder back in May, and he seems to be on a full-fledged campaign to ensure a restructuring of the league, salary-cap and social justice-wise. Dinwiddie, meanwhile, has a player option after next season, and he could be trade bait that the Nets couldn’t afford to consider when the offers roll in. Anthony is an Irving disciple on the court, scoring at will from anywhere and everywhere for a Duke team that underachieved. The team needed his points to get through the season, and his accuracy struggled as a result (38 percent from the field, 34 percent from three). He needs to become more of a distributor on a pro level, but his knack for finding the basket will quickly land him in the rotation, and maybe more.
20. Philadelphia 76ers – Robert Woodard II, SF, Mississippi State.
Ben Simmons may be sizable at the power forward spot, but he’s a point forward, and the Sixers need a banger inside that’ll strictly handle rebounds and defense behind and alongside Joel Embiid. Woodard II, albeit a bit undersized for a four (6’6″, 230 pounds), can work very well inside, shooting 49 percent from the field while nabbing nearly seven rebounds per game last season. He can take on forwards and guards, averaging at least a block and steal per game. He’s a poor free throw shooter at 61 percent for his career with the Bulldogs, but dirty-work gus always have a place in the league. Woodard II has a feel of an Andre Roberson, which will give him longevity in this league because of his ability to disrupt on the defensive end.
21. Dallas Mavericks – Leandro Bolmaro, SG, Argentina.
Tim Hardaway, Jr. is facing a player option next offseason, and the shooting guard position is already lacking depth. The Mavericks are loaded with shooters and attackers at both two-guard and small forward. Bolmaro provides a different dynamic. He’s a point-forward who can play alongside franchise star Luka Doncic, who’s coming into his own as a dominant scorer. He definitely needs bulk to his 185-pound frame for both ends of the court, but his diverse skillset is a good match in the backcourt to take pressure off Doncic’s distributor load, as well as feed very hungry role players.
22. Memphis Grizzlies – Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington.
Led by star point guard Ja Morant, this Grizzlies team is trending upward, and this pick is more about depth and talent being added to a lineup that could use more able bodies in the paint (behind Jonas Valanciuncas, alongside Brandon Clarke). Stewart had a monster season in Washington, averaging 17 points and near nine rebounds per game while establishing himself as an overwhelming big man offensively and defensively. His 2.1 blocks-per-game average made him one of the true bullies on the Pac-12 block. Stewart also shoots very well from the line at 77 percent. He does have a lack of stretch on the court, often being a paint producer, but his tools that he displays in that paint will paint a future starting position soon.
23. Denver Nuggets – Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Serbia.
Very straightforward reasoning with this pick. Paul Millsap is 35 and set to be a free agent after the season, and Jerami Grant is reportedly opting out of player option after said season. That leaves a huge hole at power forward. Michael Porter Jr. is far better at small forward, prompting Denver to go with someone Jokic-like from a floor general standpoint. Pokusevski is a talented point-forward, towering at 7″ while very good on the boards. He’s very slim at 200 pounds, but with more bulk, the Nuggets have something interesting brooding here.
24. Miami Heat – Theo Maledon, PG, France.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is all about defense. Maledon echoes that with his feisty on-ball defense. He’s a combo guard who likes to be uptempo. He can find the hoop with ease and his best days may be ahead of him. Maledon could use some bulk and strength to his 180-pound frame, but he should find a role quickly on a Heat team that’s about creating offense from defense, leading to a fastbreak frenzy, which is right down Maledon’s alley.
25. New York Knicks – Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona.
Circling back to that topic of upgrading point guard for the Knicks, enter Mannion, a hidden gem of this draft. Mannion’s an underrated shooter with a natural feel for the point guard spot, knowing when to attack the basket and when to dish off pick-and-roll. He’s very good at working off the ball and finding open shots. He’s not a great athlete, which creates limitations on the defensive end. However, Mannion is a stable prospect who may have a trick or two up his sleeve because of his born ability to play point guard.
26. Boston Celtics – Udoka Azubuike, C, Kansas.
The Celtics are in need of a difference-maker at center. With all due respect to Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter and even Tacko Fall, no center on the team really creates havoc on the court. Azubuike, easily one of the most imposing presences in college basketball last season, is a shot-blocking, rebounding extraordinaire, making at least 70 percent of his shots in each of his last three seasons, with a double-double and nearly three-block-per-game senior season. He’s built for Lob City, finishing mostly at the rim off the generous passes of others. He has the old-style look and style of the NBA big man, as the league is veering seriously into small-ball play. Despite the change of pace, Azubuike can still hang and then some. His dominance in the college ranks can’t be ignored, and his defensive prowess will not be overlooked in the NBA.
27. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland.
Danilo Gallinari is in the final year of his contract, and the Thunder will be at a huge loss if he doesn’t return. Luckily, Smith is in this draft as proper insurance. Smith is a spectacular find this late in the first round. He averaged a double-double for the Terps last season, shooting 53 percent from the field, 36 percent from three and 75 percent from the line. Those are NBA-ready numbers from the get-go. He’s also a stout defender, averaging over two blocks per game last season.With small-ball play becoming more and more the norm, he may need to add some strength to display some ability at center. Smith, however, is ready to play in the pros, and the Thunder will be a great starting point.
28. Toronto Raptors – Vernon Carey Jr., C, Duke.
The Raptors face a major hole at center with both Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol entering free agency. Carey, the son of former NFL player Vernon Carey Sr., is a scoring big man who makes his full mark in the paint. Despite not attempting many threes, he can hit them when needed, shooting 38 percent last season. Defensively, he lacks impact and is considered a liability by some critics. But today’s NBA is about putting points on the board, and Carey has the skillset to bring that to Toronto.
29. Los Angeles Lakers – Tyler Bey, PF, Colorado.
As a former Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Bey can easily find himself on LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ good sides day-in and day-out. Frank Vogel teams are defense-first, and Bey can be a major contributor to that system. He can also rebound well at 6’7″, nabbing nine boards a game last season. Bey presents a Trevor Ariza presence with his ability to be a 3-and-D player, shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc last season. He still has much to learn to become a more dependent offensive asset. Bey, overall, can bring an NBA team a lot of versatility. Landing on the Lakers would only strengthen his strong defensive prowess and playmaking excellence.
30. Boston Celtics – Kira Lewis, Jr., PG, Alabama.
Beyond Kemba Walker, the Celtics have no effective point guard (with all due respect to Marcus Smart, who’s been utilized more at shooting guard). Consider this a major steal at the end of the first round, especially noting how high Lewis’ ceiling is. Running an uptempo, fast-break offense with the Crimson Tide, Lewis is a score-first guard who averaged 18.5 points per game, along with 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest. He can and will put up threes at will, while displaying solid free throw shooting (at least 80 percent last season). Lewis is very lanky at 165 pounds, with dire need of bulk. Pro ball will force him into that, and the sky’s the limit for this sure thing.
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