The Daily Cutlure 2020 NBA Mock Draft
It’s finally time for the 2020 NBA Draft. The long-delayed night has been on the minds of many since the end of the collegiate basketball season. With the NBA restart, things got a bit hectic with an exact date for the first-year selections. And now that the night is upon us, who’s going where?
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
LaMelo Ball, PG, USA
It feels like the 1 pick is ever-changing. Ball has the upper hand. Minnesota is reported to be highly interested in drafting him. It could just be a smokescreen to get interested in a trade. This isn’t a wise pick for Minny. Pairing Ball with D’Angelo Russell is disastrous for defensive purposes.
2. Golden State Warriors
James Wiseman, C, Memphis
GSW has reportedly been fascinated by Deni Avdija. However, they will take the big man from Memphis. They need a big that can hold his own against the likes of the Lakers, Clippers, and Nuggets. This is the pick that gets them back to the playoffs.
3. Charlotte Hornets
Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
This is simply a best on the board move. Charlotte would love to get Wiseman, however, with him gone, they’ll take Edwards. The Hornets already have a solid backcourt, so this is purely a depth move and a hope he develops into a superstar.
4. Chicago Bulls
Killian Hayes, PG, INTL
The Bulls have a collection of guards. None have superstar potential. Hayes is the one that will change that. Your typical international mystery man, he’s the ideal choice for a team that needs star power.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Israel
If Avdija is there, and he probably will be, this is the lock of the draft. Cavs need help at the SF position, a place Deni will likely slot in at the NBA level. He’s got a great feel for the game.
6. Atlanta Hawks
Issac Okoro, SF, Auburn
Atlanta needs a defensive stopper. Grabbing the best wing defender in the draft makes a great deal of sense.
7. Detroit Pistons
Patrick Williams, SF/PF, Florida State
The SF/PF out of FSU has been getting a lot of buzzes. More a defensive player, he’s got the potential to develop a strong offensive game. Detroit is sold on Williams, despite my belief they need a franchise PG.
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8. New York Knicks
Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
Knicks need a PG. This is obvious. No other explanation is needed.
9. Washington Wizards
Oneyka Okongwu, C, USC
Supposedly Washington is higher on Okongwu than any other team. A big who can step right in and play meaningful minutes. This is a dream scenario for the Wizards who need the defense he’ll bring
10. Phoenix Suns
Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
The replacement for Ricky Rubio, Terry will step into the starting PG role at some point in the next 2 seasons. One of the best shooters in the draft. This is a good pick for the Suns.
11. San Antonio Spurs
Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
The Spurs draft for the best available. A likely replacement for LaMarcus Aldridge, Toppin is the most NBA ready player in the draft. San Antonio won’t be deterred by the age and low ceiling.
12. Sacramento Kings
Devin Vassell, SG/SF, Florida State
With Buddy Hield at a crossroads in Sacramento, Vassell is a guy who can step in and play the main scorer role. An effective shooter, he’ll play well in the uptempo Kings offense, whether or not Hield is still a member of the team or not
13. New Orleans Pelicans
Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
A pure shooter, Nesmith is the perfect choice for a team that needs to surround themselves with scorers around Zion. If Brandon Ingram leaves, this is even more of a priority.
14. Boston Celtics
Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis
An athletic big, Boston goes for best on the board. They can afford to have him develop into a Jae Crowder-like defender with a knack for scoring.
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15. Orlando Magic
Kira Lewis, PG, Alabama
Orlando has a few areas to address. Taking Lewis gives them the fastest player in the draft at a position that rewards speed. Not the most polished PG prospect, but a lot to build on.
16. Portland TrailBlazers
Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova
Portland will go with one of the more explosive players in the draft. A trio of Lillard, McCollum, and Bey would be extremely exciting to watch.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves
Jalen Smith, PF/C, Maryland
With Ball already locked up, Minnesota will look to prove insurance for Karl Anthony-Towns. Smith isn’t going to be NBA ready, however, he’s a good backup to have in a few years given the possibility of Towns leaving. At the very least he can develop into a serviceable backup.
18. Dallas Mavericks
Aleksej Pokusevski, C, INTL
Dallas has been locked into the international market. Pokusevski might not be ready for the start of the NBA season. Dallas may choose to stash him overseas. In a few years, we could be seeing the best big man in the draft class.
19. Brooklyn Nets
R.J. Hampton, SG, USA
The Nets want to surround Durant and Kyrie with scoring. With the likely departure of Joe Harris, Hampton offers some of the highest-scoring upsides of the 2020 class. This is a no-brainer if still on the board.
20. Miami Heat
Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky
The Miami and Kentucky connection continues. A very rare prospect, Maxey, like so many others this year, offers a high upside. And with the Progress the Kentucky alumni on Miami have shown, they’ll gladly take the chance.
21. Philadelphia 76ers
Desmond Bane, SG, TCU
Philly will look to add some scoring punch and outside shooting with one of the more experienced players from the draft pool.
22. Denver Nuggets
Cole Anthony, PG, UNC
Anthony works here because he’s simply the best on the board. He may be taken much earlier, but Denver would swoop in on him at this pick.
23. Utah Jazz
Theo Maledon, PG, INTL
Jazz will look to add a potential franchise PG. Maledon isn’t close to being a consistent contributor at the NBA level, however, Utah has some time to wait on him.
24. Milwaukee Bucks
Josh Green, SG, Arizona
The Bucks want to add some punch to their lineup. Green, a very underdeveloped player, can be a sparkplug in a few years. Milwaukee can bide their time with Green, giving him a lot of time to learn the NBA.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder
Tyler Bey, SF/PF, Colorado
Bey is the perfect player for today’s NBA. He’s able to play in small lineups and big lineups and not miss a beat. He won’t be a star, although, a team like OKC can afford to have someone like him on the roster.
26. Boston Celtics
Leandro Bolmaro, SF, INTL
Draft and stash for the Celtics. With 3 first-round picks in the 2020 draft and little roster flexibility, they’ll be going this route for the final 2 picks they have.
27. New York Knicks
Jaden McDaniels, PF, Washington
Lottery tickets are the name of the game at this point in the draft. None bigger than McDaniels, a once-heralded prospect out of high school. This could be a winner for the Knicks.
28. Los Angeles Lakers
Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State
Lakers need a PG with a winning pedigree. Winston will never be a superstar. With LeBron and AD, he doesn’t need to be. A player who plays the game the right way. He’ll fit right into the Lakers’ locker room.
29. Toronto Raptors
Jahmius Rhamsey, PG, Texas Tech
Toronto needs to replace Fred Van Vleet (assuming he leaves in free agency). Kyle Lowry is a bit long in the tooth. Ramsey is another late-round lottery ticket. Huge boom or bust potential.
30. Boston Celtics
Yam Madar, PG, Israel
Boston with another draft and stash. Madar is known for his defense. He’d play the Marcus Smart role well. I fully expect Boston to trade this pick or the one before this selection, however, they’ll look Madar’s way if they opt to keep this pick.
Image Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
