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The NBA Draft 2020 is right around the corner. Thanks to the extended break after the 2019-20 NBA regular season, lottery teams face a tough task, as they try to identify the best talent on offer. Ultimately, not every player fits a team's needs. Here is our NBA Mock Draft 2020, where we predict the top 10 picks in this season's draft.
NBA Mock Draft 2020:
With a variety of players declaring for this year's NBA Draft 2020, team must decide which rookie will merge seamlessly into their style of play. Some teams require playmakers, while others require big men. Defensive wings are high in demand, as always. With that in mind, let's jump right into the NBA Mock Draft 2020.
No. 1 Pick - Minnesota Timberwolves - Anthony Edwards
19.1 PPG | 2.8 APG | 5.2 RPG | 0.6 BPG | 1.3 SPG | 29.4 3P% | 77.2 FT%
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the coveted 1st overall pick and can decide to go in any direction as they have the luxury of choosing from the entire draft class. Anthony Edwards is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard who displays versatility in scoring and defending.
Edwards is extremely athletic and powerful while driving to the rim, which could see him excel in transition situations. There is also the potential for improvement in his distribution and passing aptitude. Scouts compare Anthony Edwards to Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo and he would complement D'Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns brilliantly.
No. 2 Pick - Golden State Warriors - James Wiseman
19.7 PPG | 0.3 APG | 10.7 RPG | 3.0 BPG | 0.3 SPG | 76.9 FG% | 70.4 FT%
The NBA's worst kept secret is that the Golden State Warriors are interested in acquiring a center. With Warriors guard Stephen Curry recently revealing that they are looking to add 'size' to their roster, several analysts predict James Wiseman to suit up for the Bay Area franchise.
Averaging 3 blocks per game, he is the best rim protector in this year's NBA Draft 2020 class and would be a good fit on the Warriors. A 7-foot-1 big man with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, he is excellent at boxing out opponents and grabbing rebounds. Wiseman has shown an aptitude for coming off screens and finishing lobs.
No. 3 Pick - Charlotte Hornets - Onyeka Okongwu
16.2 PPG | 1.1 APG | 8.6 RPG | 2.7 BPG | 1.2 SPG | 61.6 FG% | 72.0 FT%
The Charlotte Hornets are probably targeting a big man and are heavily linked to Okongwu by multiple league sources. Okongwu is one of the best shot-blockers in this year's NBA Draft 2020 behind Wiseman. He led the Pac-12 conference for USC in field goal percentage with 61% and is a versatile defender.
Okungwu rebounds well on both ends of the floor and has decent handling skills with occasional crossovers and rip-throughs. He usually pops up in the right spot at the right time, and his positioning, timing, and instincts lead to efficient shots.
No. 4 Pick - Chicago Bulls - LaMelo Ball
The Chicago Bulls need a playmaker to take the offensive load off their star shooting guard, Zach LaVine. Scouters have described LaMelo Ball as 'an ambidextrous passer with pinpoint accuracy and omnidirectional vision'.
LaMelo Ball manipulates defenders and has superior court vision, with which he creates opportunities for his teammates and gets them involved. He is an excellent ball-handler with a soft touch and is also a great rebounder. There is enormous optimism around his shooting ability as well.
No. 5 Pick - Cleveland Cavaliers - Deni Avdija
7.7 PPG | 0.9 APG | 4.1 RPG | 0.2 BPG | 0.3 SPG | 33.6 3P% | 60.0 FT%
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in serious need of a defensive wing player, which would make Deni Avdija ideal for this team. Avdija's greatest skill is his playmaking which is something the Cavs are sorely lacking. The forward is savvy in pick-and-roll situations and is fantastic at picking out cutters and shooters.
His impressive playmaking skills and finishing prowess pushes him ahead of most forwards in the NBA Draft 2020. He has a developed offensive game and multiple tricks in his arsenal along with the ability to score with either hand.
No. 6 Pick - Atlanta Hawks - Devin Vassell
8.4 PPG | 1.1 APG | 3.2 RPG | 0.6 BPG | 1.0 SPG | 41.7 3P% | 72.0 FT%
The Atlanta Hawks need forwards on their team who can relieve the pressure off their star guard Trae Young, who led the league in ball possession. Devin Vassell has taken many teams by surprise, with rumors linking him to the Golden State Warriors among other teams.
Vassell is a great team defender who is alert on rotations, disrupts opponents’ actions with timely digs, and deters shooters from firing with fundamental closeouts. The Hawks were poor defensively in the 2019-20 NBA season and Vassell could bring about a positive change.
No. 7 Pick - Detroit Pistons - Killian Hayes
7.4 PPG | 3.4 APG | 2.0 RPG | 0.2 BPG | 0.9 SPG | 44.5 FG% | 84.0 FT%
According to multiple league sources, the Detroit Pistons have shown significant interest in playmakers and are hoping to draft one in this upcoming NBA Draft 2020. Killian Hayes' best skill is his playmaking and he can whip passes off the dribble with accuracy and hit cutters or rollers with precision.
He is creative in pick and roll situations and would be a serious boost for the Detroit Pistons, who could be looking to rebuild and need an injection of youth.
No. 8 Pick - New York Knicks - Tyrese Haliburton
15.2 PPG | 4.7 APG | 4.4 RPG | 0.8 BPG | 1.9 SPG | 42.6 3P% | 77.5 FT%
The New York Knicks' dearth of playmakers is well documented. NBA trade rumors surrounding the team suggest the Knicks are looking to acquire a point guard. With the 8th overall pick in the NBA Draft 2020, we could see the Knicks draft Haliburton to fill that position.
He is an in-control playmaker, with extraordinary vision and ambidextrous handles, who can deliver passes at all angles. The young guard is also a great finisher and looks comfortable driving to the basket.
No. 9 Pick - Washington Wizards - Obi Toppin
20.0 PPG | 2.2 APG | 7.5 RPG | 1.2 BPG | 0.8 SPG | 63.3 FG% | 70.8 FT%
Toppin reminds NBA scouts of Pheonix Suns legend Amar'e Stoudemire due to his brilliant athleticism, explosive power, and ferocious dunks. The Washington Wizards have John Wall and Bradley Beal running the frontcourt and the addition of some size to the roster would be of huge help.
Toppin is an excellent shot-blocker and can switch on the defensive end. Marked as a decent playmaker with great leaping ability, the 6-foot-9 Brooklyn native is versatile enough to play either Center or Power Forward.
No. 10 - Phoenix Suns - Isaac Okoro
12.9 PPG | 2.2 APG | 4.4 RPG | 0.9 BPG | 0.9 SPG | 51.4 FG% | 67.2 FT%
The Phoenix Suns' main priority is to build around star guard Devin Booker and compete in the difficult Western Conference. Okoro is a superb defender with the perfect skill set for the modern positionless game.
His offensive game is refined and he is a great finisher who delivers through contact, draws fouls, and displays a soft touch with both hands. Booker's and Okoro's partnership could flourish in Phoenix and would also improve the rookie'ss game.
Guess the Lakers players!
