2020 NBA Mock Draft

In attempt to guess on every draft pick in the 1st round ahead of the NBA Draft, I’m putting on my GM hat. Assuming no trades as that’s impossible to guess, I’m selecting the best player for every team by order according to tankathon.com.

#1 Minnesota Timberwolves: James Wiseman

7’1 big man that can sprint with smaller players in transition. Elite physical measurements with the mobility to deter everything in the paint. Sets great screens, capable roll man with incredible lob catch radius. Confident shooter with good free throw percentage. Capable driver on straight line drives with potential on dribble hand offs on the perimeter. Athletic bigs with perimeter skills and elite size just never happen, so when it does happen its a no brainer.

With KAT’s versatility on the perimeter, yet lacking roll man gravity and rim protecting skills, Wiseman is drafted to tie up the loose ends. D’Angelo Russell is elite as a pick and roll ball handler and needs an elite partner as a roll man.

#2 Golden State Warriors: Deni Avdija

6’9 Point Forward with passing skills on drives or out of the post. Has the athleticism to play fast in transition. Capable of switching on multiple positions, even some small bigs. Shooting is a work in progress but form looks good and should translate with more repetition. Very young but has experience playing with grown men in a professional 5 out system so that should help with transition into the NBA.

#3 Charlotte Hornets: LAMELO BALL

Most talented playmaking PG with positional size to fit any lineup. However must improve shooting mechanics and strength to compete at the highest level which will take some time, but a young team like the Hornets has nothing but time.

#4 Chicago Bulls: Anthony Edwards

The Bulls get the most talented scorer and potential ROY. Edwards might be too similar to Zach LaVine but the Bulls also had a gaping hole when Lavine was on the bench last season so Edwards could bring some much needed scoring from day 1.

#5 Cleveland Cavaliers: Aaron Nesmith

Every team is in desperate search for the next Duncan Robinson and Nesmith should be thankful for it as he shoots up the draft. Nestmith brings elite shooting off movement and has the size, 6’6 215 pounds, to potentially bring some D too.

#6 Atlanta Hawks: Devin Vassell

The best 3&D wing with emphasis on defense that could fit with last years’ draft class. With Vassell, Hunter, and Reddish, the Hawks should have enough wing defenders to hide Young, hopefully.

#7 Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes

The Pistons get the second best PG prospect with possibly the best step back 3. Hayes is compared to D’Angelo Russell for his shooting off the bounce and passing skills in the pick and roll.

#8 New York Knicks: Cole Anthony

Frank Ntlikina took a step forward offensively but still doesn’t look like a great first option. Same with RJ Barrett. Dennis Smith seems like a professional dunker only. Anthony can take over with his pull up shooting and slashing ability.

#9 Washington Wizards: Precious Achiuwa

Achiuwa is a small ball Center with roll man ability and can switch onto any player defensively. This was a close call with Okongwu, but the difference is Achiuwa can actually switch 1-5 and shows more versatility on offense with shooting and driving ability. Achiuwa is just different athletically compared to other players his size. If he weighed 10 more pounds he would be the one with the Bam Adebayo comparisons.

#10 Pheonix Suns: Tyrese Haliburton

Haliburton is a perfect compliment to Devin Booker and Ayton, being a great passer and spot up shooter. In a way he is a lot like Ricky Rubio. With Rubio being under contract for two more years, he will get a chance to learn and develop into a starter in time.

#11 San Antonio Spurs: Isaac Okoro

Once upon a time the Spurs got a talented wing defender and turned him into a star. Okoro needs to improve his shooting but Jimmy Butler has shown that shooting isn’t everything. If Okoro can improve his driving and playmaking, the Jimmy Butler comparisons will not be far fetched.

#12 Sacramento Kings: RJ Hampton

Hampton has the speed and athleticism to spell Fox off the bench. Hampton also has enough size to start on the wing. Once Hampton gets an NBA body, he could mold into anything.

#13 New Orleans Pelicans: Leandro Bolmaro

Big PG at 6’7 that loves to pass and play defense. A lot like Lonzo Ball on paper but looks to have more confidence on ball, attacking the paint.

#14 Boston Celtics: Josh Green

One of the best POA defenders in this class. Green plays with energy and athleticism that’s unmatched in this class. If Tatum and Brown continue their improvement on ball, there is a world where Walker’s defensive liability is no longer needed.

#15 Orlando Magic: Malachi Flynn

The Magic need better shot creation with Markelle Fultz still being a hesitant shooter. Flynn brings the pick and roll creation and pull up shooting ability that’s needed to compete at the highest level. Defensively he is really good for his size. He has great lateral quickness and hands, and does an excellent job helping his teammates.

#15 Portland Trailblazers: Saddiq Bey

Whether Carmelo Anthony returns, the Blazers need a little more on defense while maintaining the shooting, which is exactly what Bey can provide.

#17 Minnesota Timberwolves: Tyrell Terry

The sharp shooter is coming back home, because one thing is for sure, the Wolves will continue to shoot the most 3s from above the break, whether it goes in or not.

#18 Dallas Mavericks: Obi Toppin

Dwight Powell was really good as a roll man and now recovering from a devastating injury to the achilles. Instead of rushing Powell back, Toppin can spell Powell offensively with his unique blend of pick and pop or roll ability. Defensively Toppin needs to improve, but with Porzingis being the rim protector, Dallas can hide him like they hide Luka.

#19 Brooklyn Nets: Onyeka Okongwu

The Nets will be looking to make a deep run in the playoffs next year with Durant, Irving, Levert, and Dinwiddie. The question remains with the Center position with thinner than optimal, Jarrett Allen, and the aging Jordan as the only bigs. Okongwu can provide much needed depth.

#20 Miami Heat: Jalen Smith

The Heat need more size to help Bam protect the paint. Jalen Smith can space the floor on offense much like Meyers Leonard, but has more mobility on the defensive end to not be played off the floor in the playoffs.

#21 Philadelphia 76ers: Desmond Bane

The Sixers need spacing around Simmons and Embiid. Bane provides off ball shooting, even off movement. And his arms will provide the physical intimidation factor for one of the biggest starting lineups in the league.

#22 Denver Nuggets: Paul Reed

Paul Millsap is probably not coming back unless he agrees to return for a fraction of his previous contract. Regardless Reed is a great defender and would fit well next to Jerami Grant to cover up for Jokic. If Reed can learn to hit wide open 3s like Grant, the sky is the limit for this Nuggets team for the foreseeable future.

#23 Utah Jazz: Tyrese Maxey

Mike Conley might not be good any more. Joe Inglis is even older. Donovan Mitchell needs some help. Tyrese Maxey is already a strong combo guard that isn’t afraid of contact like Mitchell. If Maxey learns to shoot like Mitchell its going to be a fun duo to watch.

#24 Milwaukee Bucks: Markus Howard

Teams are building a wall to stop Giannis. Its needs to crumble! The Bucks just need to draft the best shooter remaining regardless. Howard is a knock down shooter in every way and has proven it his whole college career. At 5’11 Howard is definitely a liability on defense but with Giannis and Lopez the paint is covered.

#25 Oklahoma City Thunder: Grant Riller

Riller is a 3 level scorer and would benefit learning from Chris Paul before he is traded. OKC dominated with SGA, Schroder, and CP3 in the lineup. The three guard lineup shall go on.

#26 Boston Celtics: Kira Lewis Jr.

Incredibly shifty PG with speed and acceleration. Capable of putting even the best perimeter defenders on skates like Isaac Okoro. If he only had the vertical explosiveness, the Fox and Morant comparisons wouldn’t be far fetched.

#27 New York Knicks: Abdoulaye N’Doye

Athletic PG at 6’7″ with 7’2″ wingspan. That is some freaky Kawhi like measurements. He is probably not going to be that high usage PG in the NBA but that size and length will make him versatile enough to play 1-4 positions on both ends of the floor.

#28 Los Angeles Lakers: Tyler Bey

6th man, big wing, Kyle Kuzma is going to get paid soon. Bey, the Pac-12 DPOY could earn starter minutes if he can just shoot spot up wide open corner 3s.

#29 Toronto Raptors: Patrick Williams

One of the youngest players in the draft is coming into a great situation in terms of player development and coaching. The physical tools are there but he is just not ready on both ends of the floor. Needs to work on his lateral mobility to not be exposed on an island defensively.

#30 Boston Celtics: Xavier Tillman

Switchy defender and one of the best short roll passers in college. Not as athletic as Theis or Robert Williams but the toughness and IQ reminds me of Al Horford.