2020 NBA Mock Draft: Saturday Down South’s full Round 1 projections
The 2020 NBA Draft has been delayed a couple of times, but it will take place Wednesday night, coming to us live from the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut. Unlike in recent years, there was no NBA Combine, no real in-person workouts, nothing.
Because of those pandemic-induced restrictions, no one is sure what will happen in Round 1. A few different players are in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick, and there could be lots of trades impacting the first round, too.
That said, there are plenty of guys who could be impact players from Day 1. So, let’s take a look at the official Saturday Down South mock draft projections:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: LaMelo Ball, G, Illawarra Hawks
The buzz around LaMelo Ball has been consistently getting louder. He’s not necessarily a great fit alongside D’Angelo Russell in the Timberwolves’ backcourt, but if Minnesota believes Ball is the best player, he has to be the pick. Ball can do everything on the court. He’s an elite passer, can get to the rim and score, and can also rebound well for a guard. Anything can happen with this pick, but for now, I’ll slot Ball into the No. 1 spot.
2. Golden State Warriors: Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia
If Edwards drops to No. 2 and the Warriors still have this pick, they should scoop him up immediately. I believe Edwards is the top player in this draft class. Adding him to a team that already includes Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green would put the Warriors back into the category of title contender. Edwards still has to become more consistent on defense and needs to work on his jump shot, but he can do that on the Warriors’ second unit while working with a team full of champions.
3. Charlotte Hornets: Patrick Williams, F, Florida State
The Hornets need more talent across the board. Hey, that should come as no surprise since they’re picking No. 3 overall. Williams was the sixth man at Florida State last year, but that doesn’t do him justice. He’s an energetic athlete who has an outstanding offensive game. He can knock down 3s and get to the rim. He’s only begun to tap his potential, and that’s a scary thought moving forward.
4. Chicago Bulls: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
The Bulls are entering a new era under coach Billy Donovan. They’re seemingly trying to trade guard Zach LaVine, but aren’t getting any takers as of Monday night. If LaVine stays, Wiseman is a great pick here. Many have Wiseman in the mix at No. 1 or No. 2, but if he falls, the Bulls should take the Memphis big man with a smile on their faces.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Cavaliers have plenty of guards and big guys, but they’re thin on the wings. Avdija fills that slot nicely. He isn’t a great shooter yet, but he can make plays, find open teammates and isn’t a liability on defense. And, at only 19 years old, he has plenty of upside.
6. Atlanta Hawks: Isaac Okoro, F, Auburn
Okoro’s offensive game is still developing, but that’s fine for the Hawks. Trae Young is going to have the ball in his hands a ton anyway, so all Okoro needs to do is stand in the corner, set screens and hit open jumpers. Okoro’s defense is elite, and that’s why the Hawks will nab him with the 6th pick.
7. Detroit Pistons: Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
The Pistons have many needs, but one of the biggest is a post guy to pair alongside Blake Griffin. Okongwu has a developed defensive game. He’s also only 19, so he can work on his offensive skills as he continues to grow. He’s a perfect fit for the Pistons.
8. New York Knicks: Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State
The Knicks can’t keep trotting Elfrid Payton and Frank Ntilikina out at point guard and hope to turn things around. Haliburton is the Day 1 starter and can get the ball to the Knicks’ other playmakers, like RJ Barrett and Kevin Knox.
9. Washington Wizards: Devin Vassell, F, Florida State
The Wizards need to load up with talent on the wings, and Vassell is an intriguing option. He’s an elite defender and also shot 41.5% from 3-point range for a deep, talented Florida State squad last year. He pairs alongside Bradley Beal nicely.
10. Phoenix Suns: Killian Hayes, G, Ulm
Some analysts consider Hayes to be the best player in this draft class. I am not one of those analysts, but he is a guy who has no business being as good as he is at only age 18. The Suns have Devin Booker (and now Chris Paul, too), but getting another playmaker who can light up the scoreboard is never a bad thing.
11. San Antonio Spurs: Aaron Nesmith, F, Vanderbilt
The Spurs could use more talent across the roster. The best player left on the board here is Nesmith, who has all the athleticism and scoring ability to become a key piece of the next phase of the Spurs. Put him with a coach like Gregg Popovich, and he can really flourish.
12. Sacramento Kings: Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
Toppin, the 2020 National College Player of the Year, isn’t a true big, but he can run the court and score at the rim, which pairs well alongside PG De’Aaron Fox. He could find a long-term home in Sacramento.
13. New Orleans Pelicans: Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova
The Pelicans will likely try to surround Zion Williamson with scorers as they enter the first year under coach Stan Van Gundy. Bey can knock down 3s over defenders with his quick release and get to the rim. The ball will be in Zion’s hands a lot this coming year, so having a guy like Bey to spread the floor and make plays when Zion passes it to him will be key.
14. Boston Celtics: Precious Achiuwa, F/C, Memphis
The Celtics are set at the wings and guard positions, with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart and Gordon Hayward fighting for playing time. Yes, the team could use an upgrade at backup point guard, but that doesn’t need to be addressed with the No. 14 pick. Instead, expect Boston to go for size. Achiuwa averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. That’s exactly what the Celtics need.
15. Orlando Magic: Kira Lewis Jr., G, Alabama
The Magic need a point guard who can shoot. Enter Lewis, who knocked down 36.6% of his 3s at Alabama last year. Orlando’s only real 3-point threat at this point is Evan Fournier. Lewis would give them a dynamic playmaker and a guy who can get the Magic out and running a bit more. Orlando finished No. 24 in points per game last year and No. 27 in effective field goal percentage.
16. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford
The Blazers need a third guard to rotate with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Terry — one of the biggest risers in this class — is a good fit. He’s a lights-out shooter, even though he’s a bit undersized. His size will make him a liability on defense, but he plays with enough energy to be decent on that end of the floor.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Aleksej Pokusevski, C, Olympiacos B
After snagging Ball with the first pick, the Timberwolves will take a flyer on a big man out of Serbia. Pokusevski is 7-feet tall and has court vision like Denver big man Nikola Jokić. He needs to bulk up a bit, but he’s worth the risk at No. 17.
18. Dallas Mavericks: Josh Green, F, Arizona
The Mavericks are just trying to fill out their roster behind Luka Dončić and Kristaps Porzingis. Green is an ideal 3-and-D guy, and that would be a perfect fit with those 2 superstars. Green’s athleticism will especially help the Mavs on the defensive end, where Dončić isn’t exactly elite.
19. Brooklyn Nets: Jalen Smith, C, Maryland
Who knows if the Nets are even going to have this pick by draft night? There are rumors surrounding the Nets and Houston Rockets superstar James Harden. If the trade is made, this pick will almost certainly be involved. But, if not, adding a big like Smith alongside scorers Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant wouldn’t be the worst thing for Brooklyn.
20. Miami Heat: Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky
Someone is going to have to drop a bit on draft night, and my bet is that it will be Maxey. Maxey is the perfect successor to Goran Dragic, though, so landing in Miami is an ideal situation. He can run the Heat’s second unit and make it much more dynamic. This is a team that just lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals. Maxey is a piece that will help them make another deep playoff run this coming season.
21. Philadelphia 76ers: RJ Hampton, G, New Zealand Breakers
The 76ers are another team that will likely face some major upheaval after hiring Doc Rivers. No matter what happens, though, a guy who can score like Hampton. He can get to the basket in creative ways but does need to develop his jump shot a bit more.
22. Denver Nuggets: Cole Anthony, G, North Carolina
The Nuggets need to develop some depth behind Jamal Murray and Gary Harris Jr. in the backcourt. Anthony didn’t have a great year at North Carolina, but he’s still an elite ball-handler and a guy who can get to the rim and score. He is also a decent 3-point shooter. He needs to cut down on his turnovers, but he won’t have the ball in his hands as much in Denver, so he has time to develop that skill.
23. Utah Jazz: Zeke Nnaji, F/C, Arizona
Utah big man Rudy Gobert is in the last year of his contract, and there are some rumblings that the Jazz could be ready to move on. Nnaji isn’t the rim protector that Gobert is, but he’s a good rebounder. And, he’s a way better shooter than Gobert, and that is a more valuable skill in today’s NBA.
24. Milwaukee Bucks: Desmond Bane, G, TCU
Bane is a guy who you might not have heard much about, but he is an outstanding defender and hit 44.2% of his 3-point attempts last year. The Bucks need more energy and defense out of their backcourt, so Bane can become a rotation guy on Day 1.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder: Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington
Stewart is kind of a throwback big man — strong, solid rebounder, great low-post offensive moves. Sounds a lot like Steven Adams, right? Well, this is the last year of Adams’ massive contract in OKC, and he probably won’t be back after this season. Stewart would be a great pick here to build for the future.
26. Boston Celtics: Xavier Tillman Sr., F/C, Michigan State
A bruising big man who can hold his own in the post and also knock down open 3s on offense? Yeah, that’s exactly the piece the Celtics need to get over the top in the Eastern Conference. Tillman provides that skill set and a lot of mental toughness, too.
27. New York Knicks: Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington
The Knicks used a rotation of several lackluster forwards last year. They need more athleticism and potential at the position, and that’s what McDaniels provides. The versatile forward out of Washington is a good fit here at No. 27, especially after the Knicks snagged their point guard at No. 8 overall.
28. Los Angeles Lakers: Malachi Flynn, G, San Diego State
The Lakers will likely lose Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and perhaps Rajon Rondo, this offseason. Flynn can slide into either spot, as he is a smart ball-handler, strong defender and decent scorer.
29. Toronto Raptors: Theo Maledon, G, ASVEL
Maledon has yet to turn 19, but the Raptors can afford to take a chance on a high-upside guy here toward the end of Round 1. He’s strong in the pick-and-roll game, so he can work with the Raptors’ second unit to get comfortable at the pro level.
30. Boston Celtics: Killian Tillie, F/C, Gonzaga
Tillie has the skills and scoring ability to be a lottery pick. However, his injury history will cause him to drop on draft night. Still, the Celtics can afford to take a flyer on the talented scorer here at the end of Round 1.