2020 NBA Lottery Mock Draft V1
2020 NBA TrueFan Mock Draft 2.0
Written By Kyle Crabbe
Follow on Twitter: @KthetruestKnick , @PaceofSportsTks
In what has been a wild and novel 2020 calendar year we can still be excited for the great young basketball talent entering the NBA in the 2020 NBA Draft. As we are less than a week away from the 2020 NBA draft we can get a good idea of what prospects will possible go where. I will also try to give a little bit of background for fans to appreciate the next wave of NBA players with the Pro Player Comparisons.
The Pro Player Comparisons I estimate come in the format of what I believe the player can become with a perfect combination of two established NBA veterans / former stars. I take into consideration the prospects and the players in comparison’s Overall Basketball Game, Physical Size, and Potential NBA Role as main points of criterion. Now with that explained here’s is my 1st edition of 2020 NBA Mock Draft.
Check out the Great Scouting Video’s on the NBA Draft prospects done by Hoop Intellect YouTube Channel.
Check out the Great Scouting Reports on these NBA Draft prospects on the great NBA Draft Room Website.
1) Minnesota Timberwolves
Select Anthony Edwards
Position: Shooting Guard
College: Georgia
HT: 6–5”(Wingspan 6–9”)
WT: 225 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
The Timberwolves are is a excellent position in the 2020 Draft as they already have a great young 1–2 Combination in Guard D’Angelo Russell and Big Man Karl Anthony Towns to build around. LaMelo Ball might be the best prospect in this Draft and arguably the best choice here but given what’s the best fit with Towns and Russell, Georgia’s Anthony Edwards is the ideal draft selection.
Anthony Edwards has the skill set, size, and rare mentality to become a member of the next wave of elite NBA Shooting Guards of the likes of James Harden, Bradley Beal, and former’s like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady. LaMelo Ball or James Wiseman are both talented enough to go Number One in this year’s draft but Edwards is the better fit for the Minnesota T’Wolves.
2) Golden State Warriors
Select James Wiseman
Position: Center
College: Memphis
HT: 7–1”(Wingspan 7–4”)
WT: 247 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
James Wiseman is hands down the perfect prospect to extend the Golden State Warriors Championship dynasty. Drafting Wiseman could be similar to the San Antonio Spurs drafting and developing Tim Duncan while having David Robinson or drafting and developing Kawhi Leonard behind the Duncan-Parker championship teams. The Warriors are set at all their positions with the Splash Brothers returning in the backcourt with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and they have a formidable and talent combination at the forwards with former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green and former #1 Overall Pick Andrew Wiggins at the other forward spot.
Wiseman is your prototypical high talent modern Big Man similar to reigning NBA Champion Anthony Davis. If the Warriors are able to swing this pick Wiseman no doubt gives Golden State the opportunity to be a team without weaknesses and a annul Championship contender for the next 5 years plus.
3) Charlotte Hornets
Select LaMelo Ball
Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard
College: International
HT: 6–7”(Wingspan 6–10”)
WT: 190 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
Pete “ Pistol” Maravich / Jason “ White Chocolate” Williams
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
LaMelo Ball is the top prospect in the 2020 Draft and has been primed for basketball greatness since childhood. Ball would give the Michael Jordan led Hornets a True Urban Superstar similar to the likes that Dallas treasures currently in Luka Doncic.
If Ball is still there when the Hornets choose third in the 2020 NBA Draft this would be a homerun pick for not only the Hornets but Charlotte the city and the NBA pairing the Jordan brand with the internet sensations of the Ball basketball Family.
Ball is a truly special basketball servant that the Hornets had once before with a player in the likes of Chris Paul. LaMelo is a gifted wizard with the ball in his hands and a player that he most resembles is iconic baller “Pistol” Pete Maravich. Ball is a once in a generation kind of prospect that any team would be blessed to draft.
4) Chicago Bulls
Select Killian Hayes
Position: Point Guard
College: France
HT: 6–5”(Wingspan 6–7”)
WT: 215 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
Manu Ginobili / Damon Stoudamire
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
Killian Hayes has the potential to become a multi-time All-Star with his high level skills and international professional basketball experience at such a young age. Hayes fits well with the Bulls overall roster and could become a real gem in the windy city. The Bulls have talent at all positions except Point Guard with PG Kris Dunn set to become a free agent. Hayes could potentially from a supreme backcourt with Bulls Star Guard Zach LaVine.
5) Cleveland Cavaliers
Select Devin Vassell
Position: Small Forward / Wing
College: Florida State
HT: 6–6”(Wingspan 6–10”)
WT: 180 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
Devin Vassell is one of the more solid sound prospects in the entire 2020 NBA Draft. Vassell is a two-way player that is a playmaker on defense with a versatile reliable budding offensive game. In 2019 the Cav’s front office made a huge trade for Center Andre Drummond and in last year’s draft selected Point Guard Darius Garland out of Vanderbilt. Therefore Cleveland doesn’t project to draft one of the Point Guards or Centers that are available here in the draft.
Vassell’s game projects to fit very well alongside the Cav’s young backcourt of Darius Garland and Colin Sexton. Another player that the Cav’s could potential take here with all the same traits and similar skills as Vassell is Auburn’s Issac Okoro.
6) Atlanta Hawks
Select Tyrese Haliburton
Position: Point Guard
College: Iowa
HT: 6–5”(Wingspan 6–9”)
WT: 170 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
The Atlanta Hawks have compiled great young talent across the board and at all positions on their roster. The one glaring weakness that the Hawks have shown in not having a offensive playmaker and facilitator besides that of Star Trae Young. I believe similar to that of Golden State’s Steph Curry having Draymond Green; Trae Young could potentially benefit greatly from having another true offensive playmaking and elite passer on the court with him and on the Atlanta Hawks current roster.
To answer that problem almost perfectly would be by drafting Iowa State’s Point Guard Tyrese Haliburton. Tyrese Haliburton might be the best pure playmaker/passer/facilitator in the 2020 Draft and at almost 6'6” in height he can easily play in the backcourt with Trae Young.
Haliburton is the best fit in my opinion for the Hawks but making a potential trade for a more established Star to pair with Trae Young might be a better option if I was Atlanta’s General Manager.
7) Detroit Pistons
Select Onyeka Okongwu
Position: PF/C
College: USC
HT: 6–9”(Wingspan 7–1”)
WT: 220 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
Onyeka Okongwu is the best prospect that would be on the board at the 7th Pick. The Pistons could also look at a dynamic Point Guard of the Future here with prospects such as UNC’s Cole Anthony, Alabama’s Kira Lewis Jr, or International Prospect RJ Hampton.
I personally believe that after trading away All-Star Center Andre Drummond and the questions remaining around the health of Power Forward Blake Griffin, makes Onyeka Okongwu too good a prospect to pass on.
8) New York Knicks
Select Precious Achiuwa
Position: Power Forward
College: Memphis
HT: 6–9”(Wingspan 7–3”)
WT: 225 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
Andre Kirilenko / Shawn Marion
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
Precious Achiuwa is a former 5-Star Recuit and Mcdonald’s All-American that fits very well with the current New York Knicks. Achiuwa’s game and athletic ability matches greatly with the caliber of players and style of play that is promoted and coached by new Knicks head coach Tom Thibedeau.
Achiuwa is a Thibodeau-Type play that brings an intensity to the game, guards multiple positions, makes winning committed plays, and excels on defense in ways that has made him a winner on ever team he’s played for.
With the Knicks having 3 Points Guards that can all potentially play strong for Tom Thibodeau in Dennis Smith Jr, Frank Ntilikina, and Elfrid Payton there’s limited need for a Point Guard here. Knicks could also find a strong match at this spot and potentially take Auburn’s Isaac Okoro.
9) Washington Wizards
Select Deni Avdija
Position: Small Forward
College: Israel
HT: 6–8”(Wingspan 6–9”)
WT: 210 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
Deni Avdija is quickly rising up draft boards but still projects as a lottery talent in the 2020 NBA Draft. If Washington has the chance to take Deni, that would be a great fit and excellent draft choice.
Deni is a great young offensive talent that could become in time a player in the vein of Boston’s Gordon Hayward. I believe taking Deni for the Wizards, pairing with backcourt John Wall and Bradley Beal could in time give Washington their own version of the 90’s “ Run T-M-C” of Golden State starring Point Guard Tim Hardway Sr, Shooting Mitch Richmond, and Small Forward Chris Mullin.
10) Phoenix Suns
Select Obi Toppin
Position: Power Forward
College: Dayton
HT: 6–9”(Wingspan 7–2”)
WT: 220 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
The young Phoenix Suns are a team no-doubt on the rise in the NBA. The Suns are on the cusp of developing into a post-season team in the Western Conference. Led by Star Shooting Guard Devin Booker, the Suns have great youthful talent at every position.
Drafting Obi Toppin could give Phoenix a potential Amare Stoudamire 2.0 if he fully develops. Toppin would be a great fit alongside the frontcourt of Small Forward Kelly Oubre and young Star Center DeAndre Ayton. Toppin has a nice perimeter shooting touch and shows Top Tier athleticism with great basketball finishes and energetic defensive presence.
11) San Antonio Spurs
Select Aleksej Pokusevski
Position: Power Forward
College: Serbia
HT: 7–0”(Wingspan 7–3”)
WT: 205 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
The San Antonio Spurs have good talent across their roster and can afford to take a chance on a high potential player with this draft pick. The Spurs have been known for uncovering and developing great international prospects such as Manu Ginoibli, Tony Parker, and Patty Mills. Aleksej Pokusevski could become the next one.
Pokusevski has the potential and rare skill set to possibly be the Giannis Antetokounmpo of the 2020 NBA Draft. I say that meaning not in terms of a potential NBA MVP and DPOY but a rare basketball prospect that under the right development and patience Pokusevski could be just as great as any player in this draft.
Pokusevski is a true 7 Footer with exceptional passing ability, offensive creativity, Basketball IQ, and he moves like a Guard despite his size similarly to Giannis. Aleksej is a very raw prospect with a very high ceiling but which ever team takes him will have to give him a couple years. This could be a great pick for San Antonio but also Auburn’s Isaac Okoro matches well with the Spurs at this draft position.
12) Sacramento Kings
Select Jalen Smith
Position: Power Forward
College: Maryland
HT: 6–10”(Wingspan 7–1”)
WT: 215 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
With the Kings two Big Men Harry Giles and Alex Len set to become Free Agents this off-season that in my opinion in the position the Kings most need to address. Maryland’s Jalen Smith is a prospect in this year’s draft that has a great opportunity to carve out a long impactful NBA career. Smith is a skilled Big Man that can do quite a few things well on the basketball court. Smith is a talented defender, that has NBA athleticism to match exceptional basketball IQ.
Smith checks all the boxes for a good modern Big Man in today’s NBA. Smith has a good stroke from 3-Point distance as well is a strong rim protector and shot blocker. Smith would be a great match and fit extremely well with the Kings young core of Guards De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, and Forward Marvin Bagley.
13) New Orleans Pelicans
Select Saddiq Bey
Position: Small Forward / Wing
College: Villanova
HT: 6–8”(Wingspan 6–11”)
WT: 215 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
Dorell Wright / Detlef Schrempf
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
The New Orleans Pelicans are a bright young team on the rise with great pudding talent at all positions. Under new Head Coach Stan Van Gundy the Pelicans should be a defense focused team that plays a open offense with shooters around Point Guard Lonzo Ball and Superstar Zion Williamson.
Villanova’s Saddiq Bey is an excellent prospect and fits very well with what the Pelicans are building. Saddiq is a very talented defender that uses his length and basketball IQ very well. Bey is a good but getting even better shooter where he excels at on-the-catch shooting already as a specialty. Saddiq Bey would be a excellent match and pick for New Orleans at 13.
14) Boston Celtics
Select Paul Reed
Position: Power Forward
College: Depaul
HT: 6–9”(Wingspan 6–10”)
WT: 210 Lbs
K Crabbe Pro Player Comparisons:
The Why
K Crabbe Pick Prognosis:
The Boston Celtics are another team that is in Championship Contender mode and have great talent up and down their current roster. In this draft the Celtics can look to add the best talent available or look to address a specific want to add to the depth of their team. In my opinion, I would say if the Celtics do have a area that could be addressed it would be adding a Big Man that could provide what Al Hortford did years ago for Boston.
In this draft I believe a player that could provide similar traits and skills is DePaul’s Paul Reed. Reed is a promising Power Forward who has all the potential to be an effective and impactful NBA defender. Reed plays with a high basketball IQ and rarely makes poor decisions on offense. I believe at 14 Paul Reed would be a great addition for the Boston Celtics.
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