2020 NBA Mock Draft
2020 NBA Round 1 Mock Draft Selections
1.Minnesota Timberwolves
Nick: Anthony Edwards--I am intrigued by the rumor about the Pistons moving up here to take LaMelo, but I don’t know if they have the pieces to get that trade done. Edwards was phenomenal last year, and he appears to have the least question marks of any of the #1 pick options (LaMelo, Wiseman)
Sam: Edwards-- Quite honestly, the Pistons are a lot more than one player away. It’d be exciting, but they aren’t trading up. I think LaMelo is the better player, but Edwards is probably the better fit in Minnesota.
2.Golden State Warriors
Nick: James Wiseman--Again, I could see the Warriors making a trade. With LaMelo on the clock, the Pistons could possibly trade up to secure a guard ahead of Charlotte. That being said, if the Warriors do make a pick, I think it has to be Wiseman. They have solid guards, they could use a center.
Sam: James Wiseman-- This one seems too good to be true.. Wiseman has a pretty good motor and is great in the pick and roll and defending the rim. The low block game certainly needs some work, but we are talking about a 19 year old who has crazy upside. Too good to pass up on.
3.Charlotte Hornets
Nick: LaMelo Ball--This is why the Pistons would need to trade up if they’re serious about LaMelo. I think that LaMelo will be gone if he slips to Charlotte, and the Hornets pick up a great guard to go along with Devonte’ Graham and PJ Washington.
Sam: LaMelo Ball-- I promise, we will differentiate eventually. But, as the great Mel Kiper Jr always says, “I’m projecting what the team will do, not what I personally would.” I love Ball. I think he’s the best player in this draft. He can really shoot it and could give a suddenly exciting Charlotte team another good weapon.
4,Chicago Bulls
Nick: Obi Toppin--I think that he could be the fun and exciting playmaker that Billy Donovan needs to excite the Chicago fans.
Sam: Deni Avdija-- I think Toppin is much better, but I think the Bulls will be the Bulls.
5.Cleveland Cavaliers
Nick: Deni Avdija--The Cavs seem likely to pick either Toppin or Avdija in this spot, and with Toppin going #4 to the Bulls, Avdija is the clear choice.
Sam: Obi Toppin-- I love everything about this guys game. He can jump out of the gym and can really shoot it. Yes, he has his limitations, but at some point college production has got to count some, no?
6.Atlanta Hawks
Nick: Onyeka Okongwu--I think that the Hawks will not end up making this pick on Draft Day. That being said, I think someone slides up and makes a play for Okongwu.
Sam: Tyrese Haliburton-- I would love for him to drop to Detroit but this just makes too much sense. Not only can he play the backup point, but he could slide to the 2 and play alongside Trae Young with how well he shoots the ball.
7.Detroit Pistons
Nick: Tyrese Haliburton--I think the Pistons need a guard in this draft. Many reports have them taking Patrick Williams, but I just don’t like the potential pick for the Pistons. They have a need at guard and Haliburton could fill that void with size and a shooting ability. Opting for Haliburton over Hayes due to the Darko trauma still lingering in this franchise’s mind.
Sam: Patrick Williams-- Haliburton(If available) definitely has a higher floor and will make a more immediate impact, but there’s no question that Williams is just oozing with potential. His shooting is questionable and is rather raw offensively, but he can really defend. I wouldn’t mind this pick one bit.
8.New York Knicks
Nick: Killian Hayes--The Knicks also need a guard to go along with RJ Barrett. Hayes is a natural passer and he has the ability to immediately play in New York.
Sam: Isaac Okoro-- This guy can flat out defend. Not a great shooter but can certainly grow into it. I’d like the fit here alongside RJ Barrett.
9.Washington Wizards
Nick: Isaac Okoro--At this point in my mock draft, Okoro is the best player available. This makes the Wizards choice a little easier.
Sam: Onyeka Okongwu-- This guy did nothing but produce at USC. Really good motor and can rebound.
10.Phoenix Suns
Nick: Saddiq Bey--I was thinking that the Suns would select a guard, but then they acquired Chris Paul. Needing a wing more than a guard at this point in the draft, Bey is the best choice. He shot 45% from three last year, providing great wing scoring ability.
Sam: Saddiq Bey-- The NBA absolutely loves 3 and D guys. Bey defines that.
11.San Antonio Spurs
Nick: Patrick Williams--Add the Spurs to the list of teams that make a Draft Day trade. If they are stuck making a pick, look for someone like Williams with a lot of potential.
Sam: Devin Vassell-- A wing who can really defend with shooting upside? Sounds like San Antonio to me.
12.Sacramento Kings
Nick: Devin Vassell--This seems like a safe pick at this place in the draft. He has wing size and shooting ability. A candidate for the Suns at 10 and Spurs at 11, Vassell finally goes off the board.
Sam: Jaden McDaniels: There’s a lot to like about McDaniels’ attributes but a lot left to desire about his game. His only year at Washington was a bit of a flop but he just has so much potential. I can’t see him lasting past 15.
13.New Orleans Pelicans
Nick: Kira Lewis Jr--The Pelicans need a point guard after trading Jrue Holiday. They could trade up, or be comfortable with Lewis at this point in the draft.
Sam: Kira Lewis-- Man this guy is crazy fast. I can already see him throwing lobs to Jaxson Hayes and Zion
14.Boston Celtics
Nick: Cole Anthony--Why does Cole Anthony just seem like the pesky guard that is going to play for Boston for 12 years and be a pain in the ass of every team in the NBA? This seems like a great fit.
Sam: Precious Achiuwa
15.Orlando Magic
Nick: Aaron NeSmith--The stock on NeSmith has gone up lately. He just misses out on the lottery.
16.Houston Rockets
Nick: Tyrese Maxey--If the rumors are true and Harden and Westbrook are on their way out, Maxey could be an immediate impact player for Houston. Perhaps it’s the recurring memory of him scoring 26 points in that Michigan State and Kentucky game though…
17.Minnesota Timberwolves
Nick: Precious Achiuwa--Achiuwa seems like a natural pair with KAT, and it would allow him to develop. I like this pairing for both parties.
18.Dallas Mavericks
Nick: Aleksej Pokusevski--The Mavs have had success drafting internationally. They would need to be patient with his development here, but I think they would be willing with Kristaps already in the lineup.
19.Brooklyn Nets
Nick: Jalen Smith--I love the stretch game of Smith that he displayed at Maryland. He started to play further away from the basket, and he could be a perfect compliment to Durant, Kyrie (and maybe Harden?)
20.Miami Heat
Nick: Tre Jones--Like the Celtics and Cole Anthony, I just see Tre Jones as a member of the Heat. He would be a good addition to this backcourt.
21.Philadelphia 76ers
Nick: Theo Maledon--The 76ers will need a future point guard and Maledon is a risky pick with some upside. Picking at 21st, it’s worth the risk on a young player.
22.Denver Nuggets
Nick: RJ Hampton--Adding another scoring option could take this offense to another level. Hampton can provide immediate value off ball.
23.Utah Jazz
Nick: Malachi Flynn--He has some shooting ability, and with Conley on the last year of his deal, they need to select a guard. Flynn can play point guard for this team in the future.
24.Milwaukee Bucks
Nick: Vernon Carey--After acquiring Bogdanovic and Jrue, the Bucks may look inside on this pick. Carey is a dominant post player, once again I think back to his fantastic contest against Michigan State.
25.Oklahoma City Thunder
Nick: Jaden McDaniels--The Thunder have been linked to McDaniels. He has potential but so many questions. With their continued ability to accumulate high-level draft picks, and the team far from competing, they can gamble on this pick.
26.Boston Celtics
Nick: Xavier Tillman--Tillman seems to be a natural fit for the Celtics. He is an old-school, high-IQ basketball player.
27.New York Knicks
Nick: Payton Pritchard--Much like my #29 pick, he was one of college basketball’s best players last year. The Knicks need shooting and positive culture players, and Pritchard checks both of those boxes.
28.Oklahoma City Thunder (planned trade for Schroeder)
Nick: Desmond Bane--I’ve seen mock drafts as high as #6 and as low as #47 for Bane. I think that his shooting ability projects him as a safe selection for this team and he can impact the team immediately.
29.Toronto Raptors
Nick: Cassius Winston--I thought that Winston as the backup guard for the Lakers was going to happen at #28. They then traded that pick away for Dennis Schroeder, so this allows the Raptors to make the same play at #29. Winston, as we all know as Michigan State fans, is a smart player that will serve as an ideal role point guard.
30.Boston Celtics
Nick: Leandro Bolmaro--This is a prospect who has work to do. He will spend time overseas in Spain. For that reason, Boston stashes him away for the future.
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