With the 2020 NBA draft positioning set, questions are abound at the top. Are the Minnesota Timberwolves completely sold on dynamic SG Anthony Edwards at No. 1 overall? Should the Golden State Warriors, a title threat with all their stars healthy, trade the No. 2 pick for an established star to help their road back to contention? What does any of this mean for the Charlotte Hornets at No. 3 and the Chicago Bulls at No. 4?
Here’s my mock NBA Draft, based on the NBA Draft lottery results:
1 – Minnesota Timberwolves – Deni Avdija, SF, Israel.
Quite a shocking selection on my behalf, but this is a low-key perfect fit for this team. The T-Wolves could (and likely should) trade this pick for Bradley Beal or Ben Simmons, but staying put and taking Avdija over Edwards will pay dividends down the road. As well as D’Angelo Russell has played at point guard, he’s an even better two-guard. Avdija, a point forward with a three-point stroke, can create serious mismatches at the forward spots. The forward position is a weak one in Minnesota; Avdija’s presence as a Hedo Turkoglu-type of threat can make scoring even smoother for Russell and franchise big man Karl-Anthony Towns. While Edwards is a star in the making, it’ll feel like another version of Anthony Wiggins if Minnesota takes him: a lot of scoring, but not much else. The T-Wolves don’t need scoring; they need a playmaker, which is what Avdija will do early and often for them.
2 – Golden State Warriors – Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia.
Another pick that could be traded (Bradley Beal, Joel Embiid?), but if push comes to pick, Edwards is what they need, and where he needs to be the most. The core of Golden State’s superstardom is with the Splash Brothers (Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson). Edwards provides a different dynamic, as he’s an attack-first guard, but he has room to improve in shooting and defense. The Warriors can provide tutelage in both, paving way for a bright future for Edwards in San Francisco.
3 – Charlotte Hornets – James Wiseman, C, Memphis.
For Michael Jordan’s sake, trust me: this is no Kwame Brown. Wiseman is far more talented in any way possible, and he could be a franchise star in this situation. Despite Kemba Walker’s presence in previous years, Charlotte was abysmal in the frontcourt, as they have been putting out Cody Zeller for far too long. They need a big to elevate the play of their solid backcourt of Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier. Wiseman can stretch the floor and play stellar defense in the paint. His lack of tape in college is a miniscule issue; he was built to play in the pros.
4 – Chicago Bulls – Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn.
With Otto Porter Jr. likely heading out of Chicago, small forward has a drastic void. Okoro fills that void and more, providing a defensive prowess that Porter couldn’t. At just 19 years old, Okoro has much to develop on the offensive end, but he’s a jammer and can bring an edge to a young Bulls team that can put up points, but need to learn how to put up resistance. Most of all, this will help the backcourt of Coby White and Zach LaVine, who will love feeding this dunker on offense and watching him work on opposing guards on defense.
5 – Cleveland Cavaliers – LaMelo Ball, PG, USA.
This is the first repeat pick-match from my last mock draft, and there’s plenty of reason. The Cavaliers have guards, but they don’t have a point guard. Ball is the man to take the Cavs to a next level; considering how low their level has been post-LeBron James, this is a miracle pick. Ball, an extremely talented passer and attacker of the basket, would play very well with shoot-first guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, finally creating a balanced backcourt, while also making life easier for an (for now) even better frontcourt in Kevin Love and Andre Drummond. Cleveland needs star power to get them back in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference. Ball’s as high profile as it gets in this draft.
6 – Atlanta Hawks – Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC.
My last mock draft had Wiseman landing with the Hawks, but Okongwu makes for a perfect consolation prize. He’s an excellent pick-and-roll big who can create havoc defensively. Atlanta does have quite a frontcourt in Clint Capela and John Collins, but this squad, last in scoring defense this past season, needs all the defense it could get. Okongwu will make his presence known on that side of the ball, while providing another series of future alley oops from franchise star Trae Young.
7 – Detroit Pistons – Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton.
At this very moment, the Pistons’ top star is an injury-prone Blake Griffin who has a player option after next season. In other words, time to move in another direction. Griffin will likely either be traded by the trade deadline or walk during the offseason, so a new budding star must be had at this pick. Toppin can be considered a younger version of the founder of Lob City. Toppin came on the scene last season, averaging 20 points per game while providing a highlight reel of spectacular dunks. He can also hit the three when needed (39 percent last season) and makes for a great small ball frontcourt option moving forward. Improvement on the defensive side is needed, but Toppin has the makings to be the biggest Pistons franchise cornerstone since Grant Hill.
8 – New York Knicks – Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State.
The Knicks may very well still pursue Fred VanVleet or maybe Chris Paul (with Carmelo Anthony in tow), but something must be done at a wildly inconsistent point guard position. Elfrid Payton nor Frank Ntilikina are the long-term answer, while Dennis Smith Jr. is likely on his way out. Haliburton has drawn Lonzo Ball comparisons (good and bad), but Ball’s a better point guard than any that’s on the roster right now. Haliburton can score and distribute efficiently and has the wingspan to be quite a disruptor on the perimeter. With more bulk to his frame and continued improvement on his jumper, Haliburton can bring some life to Madison Square Garden with his spectacular passing and knack for getting to the basket.
9 – Washington Wizards – Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis.
Another repeat pick from my last mock draft, as the Wizards need rebounding and defense. Achiuwa’s the perfect small-ball big, notching double-doubles with ease at Memphis. Improving his jumper is a must for him to play big minutes down the stretch, but Achiuwa’s talent is right for this squad. As the Wizards try to get back into form with their All-Star backcourt in John Wall and Bradley Beal, they need all the help they can get in the frontcourt.
10 – Phoenix Suns – Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt.
Despite a late 8-0 bubble outing to finish the year, the Suns’ glaring problem never went away: the forward position. Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson were a bit underwhelming last season. All-Star Devin Booker’s patience has to be running thin at this point, and Nesmith may be the man to help calm him just a bit. Nesmith’s arguably the best three-point shooter in this draft, proving to be quite a difficult man to defend off screens, where his bread is mostly buttered. Booker needs another marksman to play off of; Nesmith can be an instant upgrade over Bridges at the 3 spot.
11 – San Antonio Spurs – Patrick Williams, SF, Florida State.
This pick, again a repeat from my last mock draft, is more fit for player instead of fit for team. Williams has a ton of athleticism and ability, but he just needs the right coach to hone his skills. There’s nobody better than Gregg Popovich in this scenario. In due time under Popovich’s tutelage, Williams can become an impressive starting forward with jack-of-all-trades skill set.
12 – Sacramento Kings – Killian Hayes, PG, France.
Bogdan Bogdanovic is likely finding a new team in free agency, which will slide Buddy Hield into the starting lineup. From there, the bench needs new guard power. Hayes, a combo guard with good court vision and shooting, can anchor the Kings second team at either guard spot, while also spelling minutes for franchise point guard De’Aaron Fox. Hayes still needs polishing defensively, and he relies a bit too much as a lefty, but the sky’s the limit for this young, budding playmaker.
13 – New Orleans Pelicans – RJ Hampton, PG, USA.
The Lonzo Ball hype train is put on notice. After a lousy performance in the bubble, it’s time for the Pelicans to find a point guard who can put a consistent stamp on the game. Unlike Ball, Hampton is more of a scoring guard, but he already has the athleticism and skill to find the hoop with ease. With more experience, he can be an efficient distributor who should be a headache to defend on pick and roll.
14 – Boston Celtics (via Memphis Grizzlies) – Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky.
There’s no way but up for these rising Celtics. Maxey, a capable scorer and solid on-ball defender, is a step upward. As dynamic the Boston backcourt has been, it could use more scoring beyond Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart (and at times Jaylen Brown, when he switches to the two-guard spot). Maxey could easily fit as a sixth-man type who can lead scoring surges with the bench unit. He’ll need to improve from the three-point line (29 percent), but the scoring prowess is already there.
15 – Orlando Magic – Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina.
One of the best fits in this draft, the Magic would be blessed to have what could be their franchise point guard. Anthony can score from anywhere because he had to as the main option at North Carolina. He’ll do the same in the pros, but with an All-Star in Nikola Vucevic to work with. As a pure point guard, he needs time to develop, along with his shot selection, but the star power is evident in Greg Anthony’s son. The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree.
16 – Portland Trail Blazers – Saddiq Bey, PF, Villanova.
The Blazers sorely missed Trevor Ariza during the bubble. But with Ariza near the end of his deal, his replacement will be sorely needed. Bey is one of the most underrated prospects in this draft, shooting 45 percent from three while being an excellent defender. Besides, the forward spot is an old one in Portland (35-year-old Ariza and 36-year-old Carmelo Anthony). Alongside the shooting and defense, Bey provides youth and a look into the future of this franchise.
17 – Minnesota Timberwolves (via Brooklyn Nets) – Devin Vassell, SG, Florida State.
After filling a playmaking void with Avdija at No. 1, the Timberwolves add defense and shooting with this pick. Vassell is an explosive player with great athleticism. He also displays 3-and-D potential with a 41 percent clip from beyond the arc and 1.4 steals per game with the Seminoles. The T-Wolves find themselves with two major additions at the end of this draft, becoming very nice complements to the one-two punch in Towns and Russell.
18 – Dallas Mavericks – Josh Green, SG, Arizona.
Luka Doncic needs as many shooters around him as possible, and he may just need one more star to take this Mavericks squad to another level. But most of all, he needs defense. Green is a good 3-and-D wing with a keen eye for steals (led Arizona with 1.5 per game). He doesn’t do anything great, but he’ll do enough for Doncic and crew.
19 – Brooklyn Nets – Theo Maledon, PG, France.
With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the picture next season, this pick should be amassing talent for a currently loaded lineup. Besides, Irving’s backup point guard Spencer Dinwiddie’s entering what could be the final year of his deal (player option after next season), and based on his elevated play, teams could come calling with larger deals and roles. Enter Maledon, a 19-year-old prodigy with good basketball IQ. He has to limit his turnovers, but he’s an excellent distributor with more to come down the road.
20 – Miami Heat – Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Serbia.
The hot-shooting Heat need more floor-spacing bigs. With Jae Crowder entering free agency, there will be a big void at the 4 spot. Pokusevski is a 7-foot stick figure right now (just 200 pounds), but he can shoot, pass and defend, all things required of an Erik Spoelstra squad. With some bulk and development, Pokusevski can be a monstrous asset for Miami.
21 – Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City Thunder) – Leandro Bolmaro, SG, Argentina.
The Sixers should be swimming in the trade market this offseason due to the plethora of loaded contracts tied to talents, along with the fact that they are seemingly going in circles at this point. But, if this pick is going nowhere, they could use it for a stash talent like Bolmaro, a ball-handling two-guard with pickpocket ability. He’s only 19, but with a year of tutelage, he can be quite a factor for a Sixers squad that needs some distributors beyond Ben Simmons, provided he’s not traded.
22 – Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets) – Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland.
Mike Malone would salivate at this pick as he gazes at a potential frontcourt of the up-and-coming Michael Porter Jr., All-Star Nikola Jokic and hidden gem pick Smith. All three can stretch the floor and score at will. Smith can be a double-double man in the pros with shot-blocking prowess. The Nuggets would be committing absolute robbery landing this talent, who may not be there at this point.
23 – Utah Jazz – Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona.
Jordan Clarkson’s potential departure via free agency, along with Mike Conley potentially entering the final year of his deal (if he picks up his player option) creates serious depth issues at guard for the Jazz. Donovan Mitchell can’t be on an island by himself in the backcourt, and someone like Mannion could be a huge boost. The former Arizona Wildcat makes for a quality point guard in the pros. He doesn’t dazzle, but he makes threes and can definitely find teammates in their sweet spots. A blue collar franchise like Utah could use a lunch-pail point guard like Mannion: high basketball IQ who will play the point guard position effectively.
24 – Milwaukee Bucks (via Indiana Pacers) – Jaden McDaniels, PF, Washington.
This pick is a development one, but one that could prove fruitful if the Bucks can get the most out of this lanky, yet talented forward. At 6’10”, McDaniels has great versatility and a good jumper. He has a guard’s weight (185 pounds), and he’ll a lot of time in the gym to improve upon that. His near 7-foot wingspan could come in handy on the defensive end, but he’ll need to reduce his sometimes-reckless habits (turnover and foul-prone) to see major minutes on the court. Giannis Antetokoumpo may or not be around for the future of this franchise, but McDaniels, whose brother Jalen plays in Charlotte, has the potential to slide in and become a major part of that future.
25 – Oklahoma City Thunder (via Denver Nuggets) – Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama.
With $44-plus million waiting for him in a player option, Chris Paul will answer that door and accept another year in Oklahoma City, but the Thunder will be compelled to trade him before he walks for nothing. In effect, they need his suitor, and Lewis Jr. is a perfect heir apparent for this lineup. Lewis Jr. played up-tempo at Alabama and excelled at it (45 percent from the field, 36 percent from three, 80 percent from the line last season), making his transition to playing alongside a similar approach under Billy Donovan a smoother one. He should jell with diamond-in-the-rough Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to create a lethal backcourt.
26 – Boston Celtics – Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington.
Amidst a triple perimeter threat (Jayson Tatum, Jaylon Brown, Kemba Walker), the Celtics need a banger in the frontcourt. Stewart is arguably the best of those bangers in this draft. Current starting center Daniel Theis could be let go after the season (Boston may keep him due to his buoyant play), but he doesn’t have the interior aggression on offense like Stewart, whose post play should immediately pay dividends in open looks for Tatum, Brown and Walker. He can get up and down the court in small-ball style, and his 57 percent percentage from the field and stellar rebounding and defense will only elevate this young Celtics team.
27 – New York Knicks (via Los Angeles Clippers) – Robert Woodard II, SF, Mississippi State.
This is a Tom Thibodeau pick to the fullest. Woodard II is an excellent defender with the ability to nail threes when needed. He’s also quite a highlight dunker. Thibodeau would utilize a forward with his length and defensive prowess extensively on the court. The Knicks need a lot of nastiness and attitude on the floor, and Woodard II is the man to provide it.
28 – Los Angeles Lakers – Tyler Bey, PF, Colorado.
Repeating this pick from the last mock draft, Bey just seems built to play Frank Vogel basketball. His ability to defend inside and out will garner some major minutes in crucial moments for this squad. He needs a lot of work as a shooter, but with coaching and a feel with the pro game, the sky’s the limit for Bey. Lakers have regained success with a commitment to defense; Bey is an extension of that commitment.
29 – Toronto Raptors – Jahmi’us Ramsey, PG, Texas Tech.
Fred VanVleet is entering free agency, and the price tag may be too high for the Raptors to keep him. With Kyle Lowry aging and nearing the end of his deal, major upgrading is needed in the backcourt. Ramsey’s a combo guard with a fine touch from three (42 percent from beyond the arc last season with the Red Raiders). He’s also a willing defender, which would put him in a nice position to fit Nick Nurse’s rotation. Ramsey’s free-throw shooting will have to improve (64 percent last season). If he can hone himself into a fully dependable threat, Ramsey should be a steal this late for Toronto.
30 – Boston Celtics (via Milwaukee Bucks) – Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State.
Completing a trifecta of first-round talent for the Celtics, they could use some point guard play leading the bench. Brad Wanamaker has been solid in the bubble, but he’s facing a qualifying offer this offseason, which puts his future in Boston in limbo if other teams come after him. Winston had a remarkable career at Michigan State, displaying leadership and efficiency at the point guard spot over four years. His athleticism is severely limited, which could hamper his play in the pros. But averaging 6.4 assists per game for his career, he knows how to elevate his teammates, while also being a marksman at the three-point line (43 percent career). He won’t be a scoring dynamo in the NBA, but he’ll be a serviceable point guard for 10-15 years.
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