2020 NBA Mock Draft 1.0 (Lottery)

Today, I will be giving my lottery picks for the 2020 NBA Draft. These are my opinions on what would be the best for each team.

Note: The draft order is based on the standings, no draft lottery

Pick 1: Golden State Warriors
SG Anthony Edwards: Georgia

Although the Warriors need a big guy, I just don’t see them taking one here. There are not too many big guys in this draft, and none of them are worthy of the #1 pick. Anthony Edwards has been increasingly enticing to teams with his great scoring ability. Edwards also has the potential to be a 2-way star in a few years. He is by far the best player in this draft. But, if the Warriors select Edwards, they might have a problem.

With Curry and Thompson, Edwards will be the 3rd guard on the team. I doubt they would want Edwards on the bench, so they could look to trade Andrew Wiggins for a lottery pick later in the draft and select a big guy, or they could trade Wiggins for some big guys after the draft. If the Warriors select Edwards, the Warriors front office will have to make a choice, either it’s Edwards on the bench, or it’s trading Wiggins for some better big guys.

I think that the Warriors should stay at pick 1 and select Anthony Edwards. They then have one of two options, either keep Edwards off the bench next season or trade Andrew Wiggins. My suggestion is to keep Edwards in a starting role with Steph and Klay and trade Wiggins for some big guys. Other than James Wiseman, there are no great big guys in this draft, so they might have to wait to trade Wiggins until after the draft.

Pick 2: Cleveland Cavaliers
PG Lamelo Ball: Illawarra Hawks, Australia

The Cavs have chosen two guards in the last two drafts, selecting Collin Sexton in 2018 and Darius Garland in 2019. Sexton has been good for the Cavs, while Garland has been ok so far. They also have two veteran big guys making lots of money in Kevin Love and Andre Drummond. The Cavs could go in many directions in this draft. They could take James Wiseman or Obi Toppin and try to get a younger front-court for Sexton and Garland, trying to get a young core for the future.

But, I think that they should take one of the most intriguing players in this draft, Lamelo Ball. A few years ago, Ball was hated by most people and not taken seriously when being considered to be an NBA player. Now he is a top-5 pick. Ball has drawn comparisons to Magic Johnson, with his great passing and playmaking ability at 6-8. The Cavs could get Lamelo and have him and Sexton in the backcourt, with Garland off the bench. I think Ball is a box office guy that will bring attention to Cleveland, something they have not had since Lebron James departed in 2018. Ball could be the next great point guard, with his scoring and playmaking abilities.

Ball is probably the most exciting player in this draft, and the Cavs could use him as a cornerstone for their rebuild in the next few seasons.

Pick 3: Minnesota Timberwolves
PF Obi Toppin: Dayton

The Timberwolves have Karl-Anthony Towns and they have D’Angelo Russell. When healthy, the two could be a pretty good duo, but they will need some help. Towns is not great defensively, and they could use some help in the interior. The Wolves ranked in the bottom 10 in the NBA in terms of defensive rating. If the Wolves select Obi Toppin, they are getting a PF down low to help KAT and their entire defense. Toppin is a pretty good defender, but he a chance to be an elite shot blocker with his jumping ability. On the offensive side of the ball, D-Lo and Toppin in the pick and roll could be lethal. Toppin has shown the ability to knock down 3’s and long 2’s along with a variety of post moves. This will help him a lot in the NBA. If Toppin can develop into a good catch and shoot shooter then Russell and Towns will have more space to operate.

The Timberwolves need somebody like Toppin who can play on both sides of the ball. He will help with their defensive interior, and than because he is versatile and could be a lethal weapon for the Timberwolves.

Pick 4: Atlanta Hawks
PG/SG Tyrese Haliburton: Iowa State

The Hawks have lots of good young pieces to build around. They have Trae Young, Cam Reddish, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, and Clint Capela. But, they are lacking another guard to go with Trae Young. Young is not a good defender at all. The Hawks defense, in general, is not great as they were the 3rd worst defense in the NBA this season. With Haliburton, you are getting a great defender with longs arms to try and hide Young on defense. Haliburton has an awkward-looking 3-point shot, but he can still shoot the ball pretty well. Haliburton is a box score menace, like Draymond Green in the fact that he can do it all. He is a good passer and rebounder for his position and he will fit in nicely with Trae Young. Haliburton does not need to score for the Hawks, he just needs to help Trae Young with defense. Haliburton is perfect for Trae Young, making the Hawks backcourt a combination of offense and defense, with playmaking coming from both of them.

The Hawks need Haliburton to finish out their lineup, and with Haliburton, the Hawks are getting a more complete lineup, with a balance of offense and defense.

Pick 5: Detroit Pistons
C James Wiseman: Memphis

The Pistons don’t have a lot going for them. Derrick Rose has been playing well, and so has Christian Wood. Other than that, they have lots of pieces. Blake Griffin has been plauged with injuries, and they traded away Andre Drummond. I think that the Pistons should take James Wiseman to fill out the center postion for the Pistons, replacing Andre Drummond. Wiseman is by far the best big guy in the draft, with his elite post moves and shot-blocking ability, he could be very good for the Pistons, who are looking for a cornerstone in their rebuilding stage. The Pistons still need a lot more help with their lineup, but if they can get their hands on James Wiseman, then they will be getting one step closer to where they want to be.

Wiseman is by far the best big guy in this class, and he will help Derrick Rose and Christian Wood out. Wiseman’s two-way ability will come in handy for the Pistons, who ranked in the bottom 10 of both defensive and offensive ratings last season.

Pick 6: New York Knicks
PG Cole Anthony: North Carolina

The Knicks have been trending in the right direction as of late. They found their center in Mitchell Robinson, their PF in Julius Randle and their SG/SF in RJ Barrett. But, the Knicks have been in search of a PG for a long time. Anthony would be the perfect guy for the Knicks. He has the ability to score from all 3 areas of the floor, but he could be a lot better around the rim. Anthony has lots of flaws in his game, but you can see that he is very talented. Anthony has been overlooked by many during his one year at UNC. First of all, the UNC team that he was on was bad. Anthony was not getting any good looks. Secondly, Anthony was hurt for the majority of the season. But, Anthony has shown the ability to be a really good PG, and he would be perfect for the rebuilding Knicks.

Anthony has the scoring and playmaking ability that the Knicks need, and he could vault back into contenders.

Pick 7: Chicago Bulls
SF Isaac Okoro: Auburn

The Bulls have some really good pieces for rebuilding. They have Coby White at PG, who burst onto the scene as of late with his scoring ability. You have a borderline All-Star in Zach Lavine. You have Otto Porter Jr, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr, all of whom have been injured for the Bulls. Now, with Porter and Markkanen being injured so much, people have been saying get some help at the SF/PF postion becuase they get hurt so much. There are a few options for the Bulls here, either Deni Avdija or Isacc Okoro.

I would have to think that the Bulls take Okoro here. Okoro is a great defender and has potential to be a threat on offense. The Bulls already have lots of scoring weapons and it would be nice to have a defensive stopper like Okoro. If Okoro could develop a nice 3-point shot, then he would be the perfect 3&D guy for the Bulls. The only reason why I would take Okoro over Deni Avdija is because Avidja is a huge risk. Some people Avdija is the next great thing, while others saying he is overhyped.

The Bulls could really use the defensive minded Okoro, as their SF in Otto Porter has been plagued by injuries all season. Even if Porter remains healthy and retains his starting job, Okoro would be a very good bench piece for the Bulls in the future.

Pick 8: Charlotte Hornets
C Onyeka Okongwu: USC

The Hornets have found their lineup for the future. They have Rozier and Graham in the back-court. Miles Bridges has been a pleasant surpirse as he has taken a big step this season into turning a nice SF for the Hornets. PJ Washington has been great for Hornets, filling out that PF role. But, the center postion has been one of question for the Hornets. They have had guys like Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo playing center I think that they should take Onyeka Okongwu. Okungwu is undersized at 6-9, but he uses his great streangth to conted down low with other bigs. Okongwu is alos a great shot-blocker, and that should help the Hornets, who ranked in the bottom 6 in the NBA in defensive rating. Okongwu is also elite in the pick and roll game, getting to the rim with ease. He reminds me of Montrezl Harrell, undersized, but a very good player.

Okungwu will be a great pick for the Hornets. He is great defensively and can be a pick and roll threat.

Pick 9: Washington Wizards
SF Deni Avdija: Maccabi Tel-Aviv

The Wizards have some nice pieces. They have All-Star SG Bradley Beal and young PF Rui Hachimura along with Thomas Bryant and Davis Bertans. The Wizards could use some more playmaking as they only have Bradley Beal to do so. Deni Avdija is a big question mark in the draft. Avdija is only averaging 7.7 points, but he has shown signs of becoming very talented in the NBA. One major question is how his 3-PT shot will translate in the NBA. It could make or break his game. Avdija has shown signs of being a great passer with his court vision and size. Avdija has a lot of upside, but his offensive game, mainly his scoring, has been in question. Avdija is perhaps the riskiest prospect in this year’s draft, but the Wizards are in desperate need of another playmaker other than Bradley Beal, and I think Avdija is the perfect fit.

Avdija is a very risky pick, but I think that the Wizards need somebody like him, and if he is worth the risk, then the Wizards would have found a gem at SF.

Pick 10: Phoenix Suns
PG Killian Hayes: Ratiopharm, Ulm, Germany

The Suns had the chance last season to draft a young PG next to Devin Booker. They had pick 6 and oppurtunity to draft Coby White, but they traded down for Cameron Johnson. They did manage to pick up Ricky Rubio in free agency, but Rubio is 29 years old, and they could look for his backup/replacement for the future. Killain Hayes is very long and atheltic with great handles and court vision. He is very raw and has lots of time to grow. Hayes could be a project for the Suns as Ricky Rubio has two more years left on his contract.

Hayes, like Avdija, is a big question mark in the draft. Some say he has the potential to be the next great PG in the NBA, or he could fall into the category for guys like Frank Ntilikina, who have been wildly disappointing so far in their career. But, the Suns are in need of a PG, and Hayes could be the replacement for Rubio in a few years.

Pick 11: San Antonio Spurs
SG Tyrese Maxey: Kentucky

The Spurs have two aging former All-Stars in DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. DeRozan is 30 and Aldridge is 34. The Spurs have a plethora of PG’s like Derrick White, Bryn Forbes, and Dejounte Murray. It may be time for the Spurs to get a replacement SG, and Tyrese Maxey is just that. Maxey is a great scorer, and he will likely play SG for the Spurs off the bench. After DeRozan and Aldridge leave the Spurs, they will be in full rebuilding mode, and Maxey will be a nice piece for them in the future.

Maxey has the possiblity to be a very dangerous scorer for the Spurs, and they will be using him alot as they try and rebuild their team.

Pick 12: Sacramento Kings
SG Devin Vassell: Florida State

The Kings have all the talent to be a good team with De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Marvin Bagley III, and Richuan Holmes. Now, they might need some more talent to fill out their roster. Devin Vassell is a great shooter and defender and will be a great bench role for the Kings this season. The Kings are already a very good shooting team, and now with Vassell, they will be a great shooting team.

Vassell will be a great role player for any team that selects him, but the Kings will greatly benefit from his 3&D mold.

Pick 13: New Orleans Pelicans
PF/C Precious Achiuwa: Memphis

The Pelicans have so many weapons. At the guard positions, they have Josh Hart, Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. In the front-court, they have Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Jaxson Hayes, and Derrick Favors. But, the Pelicans could use some more frontcourt help. Precious Achiuwa is a smaller big guy, but he will help sure up the front line for the Pelicans. Achiuwa is an explosive, above the rim player with a developing jump shot. Achiuwa will be a nice bench guy for the Pelicans, giving energy to the team. And, in a few years, he might be able to be a starter with all the potential that he has.

Achiuwa is an explosive, undersized big guy for the Pelicans, and he might be able to give the Pelicans more help down low next season.

Pick 14: Portland Trail Blazers
C Vernon Carey Jr.: Duke

The Blazers were disappointing this season, mainly because of their frontcourt injuries. They lost Jusuf Nurkic last season, and Zach Collins got hurt early on in the season. Hassan Whiteside will likely leave, and they still need some help to the frontcourt. Although there are not many great big guys in this draft, Carey is the man that the Blazers desperately need, even if they are reaching. Carey is a big guy, but he is surprisingly fast and well-coordinated. He has a variety of paint moves and can shoot the mid-range jumper. Carey is very versatile, but the Blazers just need some more big bodies down low.

The Blazers might be reaching, but they need some front court help with all the injuries that they have had. With the addition of Caery, and barring any other injuries to the team, the Blazers might be back in contention next season.

I hope you have enjoyed this mock draft. Please leave a comment on any changes that you would make to this mock draft. I will be making a revised mock draft when the draft lottery has been announced. Remember, stay safe during these difficult times. We all miss sports, but for them to come back, we need to stay safe.