NBA 2020 Mock Draft

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: LaMelo Ball (PG, USA)

The Timberwolves win the NBA lottery for the second time in 6 years and basically the 3rd time in 7 years when you consider the trade for Wiggins. KAT has turned into a high tier Center and Wiggins was flipped into the young rising star, DeAngelo Russell. I think they take the 6'7" point guard because it's about time the T-wolves have a player with some clout. There's not enough excitement in MN and the youngest Ball brother will bring plenty of that. Oh yeah, and he's a dawg on the court too. Don't screw this up, Timberwolves.

2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman (C, Memphis)

The Warriors dynasty was cut short by some major injuries this season. More or less, it was put on hold for a year. Next year, Steph and Klay return, and Draymond Green's bum ass couldn't play any worse than last season. With the addition of Wiggins in the middle of the season, they've put together a team that'll be similar to the 15'-16' team. (Wiggins is arguably a better Harrison Barnes, just wants more touches.) The only thing the Warriors have been missing is an elite rim protecting center. James Wiseman will provide for the Warriors what we all feared DeMarcus Cousins would bring to that super team in 2018. Except Wiseman will enter his prime with GS, rather than regress. 

3. Charlotte Hornets: Anthony Edwards (SG, Georgia)

I'm definitely tweaking for having someone this good fall to no. 3, but I seriously don't think this draft class has a clear cut no.1 pick like previous classes have had. The Hornets need literally everything. They've been directionless for years, and unfortunately I don't know that anyone in this class is changing or saving this organization. But I do think that Anthony Edwards is a good start. With a Donovan Mitchell floor and a D-Wade ceiling, I'm exited to see Edwards' career pan out.

4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija (SF, Israel) 

Congrats to Chicago for jumping out of the purgatory that is the 7th pick in the NBA Draft. Hiring Karnisovas as the new VP of basketball operations and firing Jim Boylen is a good start for Chicago digging its way out of their situation. We'll see what other moves they make, but drafting 4th helps. Deni Avdija is a lot like Toni Kukoc in the way that he plays big but is also a playmaker. He would compliment Lavine well. We'll probably see the Bulls projected 7th in the 2021 NBA Draft too.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Onyeka Okongwu (PF/C, USC)

Onyeka is everything I thought Cam Lard was at Iowa State. Wait my readers aren't familiar with CAMERON LARD?? Whatever, undersized centers with explosive offensive abilities. He doesn't stretch the floor too much, but he has the ability to get himself to the rack with ease. Cleveland's situation is similar to the Hornets. I'm sure they're still riding the high of the days with LeBron. I don't blame them, but eventually they'll have to bring in some new talent that can make a run in the east. I like their combination of young pieces and vets, but they still have a ways to go.

6. Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Haliburton (PG, Iowa State)

I'm so fuckin biased lmfao. I haven't seen a mock draft with him going above 9th, but no please bare with me here, hear me out... Haliburton is the second best guard in this draft. Lamelo is the flashy pick, Tyrese is the SAFE pick. One thing Haliburton does exceptionally is protect and distribute the rock. His A/TO  ratio at ISU was near 5/1. A 6'5" playmaker to play alongside an elite scoring point guard in Trae Young could be a nasty combo. It's optimistic, but this is MY mock draft jerks. 

7. Detroit Pistons: Cole Anthony (PG, UNC)

I don't even think Cole Anthony is good but here we are. Pistons: you're stuck with him. He's short and ugly. I actually know two people who had that same take on Trae Young and look how wrong they were. I assume I'm wrong about Cole too. 

8. New York Knicks: Killian Hayes (PG, France)

I, like many other NBA scouts, have seen very little of Killian Hayes. Apparently he only played in ten games this year and there isn't much footage of him. Except the reason I haven't seen him is because I'm too ignorant to watch guys not playing in NCAA basketball games and also I'm not a fucking scout. But I have read that he averaged 7 ppg in a professional league at 17 years old. He's also a 6'5" ball handler and idk he just screams Knicks to me. I wanted to mock up the Knicks taking a PF so bad, but alas, I'll give them a guard.

9. Washington Wizards: RJ Hampton (PG, USA)

I wonder when the Wizards will move on from their all star duo of Beal and Wall. I definitely think this draft will find them at least a temporary point guard replacement. It's hard to guess what John Wall's career will look like once he returns, so whoever Washington drafts could find themselves being a longterm solution. From watching highlights, RJ is noticeably faster than everyone on the court fwiw. He's also young and tall. The NBA loves young and tall.

10. Phoenix Suns: Isaac Okoro (SF, Auburn)

Okuru is a bit undersized for a forward but he might be the most athletic player in this class. I'm probably sleeping on his potential a little bit to have him falling to 10, but I like his fit in Phoenix. He'd be a solid role player right away with some Derrick Jones Jr. potential. Maybe not THAT explosive, but that play style. 

11. San Antonio Spurs: Obi Toppin (PF, Dayton)

Obi will not fall to 11th. I don't even know how this happened in my mock. BUT IF HE DOES, Spurs are taking best available. 

12. Sacramento Kings: Precious Achiuwa (PF, Memphis)

The Kings are so close to escaping the lottery. DeAaron Fox and Buddy Hield are such a solid back court, and with some solid role players they are a legit threat to sneak into the west playoffs. Unfortunately, the west is stacked per usual, and even the young teams are starting to come together. Will be interesting to see who makes the developmental jump between Sacramento, Phoenix, New Orleans, and Memphis. 

13. New Orleans Pelicans: Tyrese Maxey (SG, Kentucky) 

Ditto to my Kings analysis. Maxey would fit nicely as a scoring guard with more of a Lou Williams role. 

14. Boston Celtics: Devin Vassell (SG, Florida State)

How the hell is Boston in the lottery every single year. I feel like we're living in someone's 2k simulation.