By With the NBA offseason happening when the season normally starts, everything is out of whack again unique time, unique circumstances. With the NBA draft this week this could a lot like 2020 a complete wild card! No real clear cut stand out prospect that teams are fighting over but no awful regrets think of this draft class like the 2013 draft class where Anthony Bennett was the #1 pick but there is no one like that is this class from what I watch, looked at or have read to this point.
Everything and every prospect is all over the page with guys capitalizing the playing other countries for experience which is a mixed bag of reviews, to the college guys who were supposed to take the nation by storm that didn’t live up to those expectations to the usual weary reviews of the international players that seem to have not change over the years. So, I am going to give my projection for this 2020 draft, possible draft night trades, sleeper picks and big fall offs.
#1 Detroit Pistons (Via Minnesota Timberwolves): Well might as well come out of the box with a hot take, the T’wolves are in the no win spot ironically with the #1 pick. If they pick Memphis big man James Wiseman or guard phenom LaMelo Ball it gives Minnesota fans (if there is any left) flashbacks of the Ricky Rubio/Johnny Flynn draft when both point guards were drafted in the same class.
Yes the pick has value to bring a solid player but not the player Minnesota expects, unless you’re the Detroit Pistons who are trying to move Blake Griffin’s expensive contract or cash in on the high value of big man Christian Wood and going for the total and complete tear down rebuild the Pistons need. With all that said the Wolves and Pistons in this “Misery loves company” find hope in this trade where the Pistons now have a second chance to build a potential once in a generation playmaker and pick LaMelo Ball number 1.
Now Ball is sort of a lightning rod because of his family with his obnoxious dad and sort underwhelming brother Lonzo finding his way along with his own internet buzz while setting his own paths playing in Lithuania and Australia on his journey to this point. The size, shoot, dedication to defense and ”attitude” which seems to be just rumors seems to all points to not take Ball but he is the ultimate high risk, high reward move and in this draft could be the best move so why not do it if you’re the Pistons.
#2 Golden State Warriors: NO this is NOT where the Warriors make some lopsided and unacceptable trade to steal Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee and put back on the fast track to the top sorry folks. Unfortunately they will have to wait until the following off season to compete the Heat and Raptors for that dream, so they’re on the clock here at #2 which isn’t a bad thing because a miracle falls to their lap ironically helping their rebuild be a little bit quicker with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson returning.
The choice is obvious for the Warriors the Memphis center James Wiseman is the big they need to bridge the past, present to their future while be competitive in the west that seems to only be getting tougher.
#3 Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets have had some bad luck to say it nicely and need this pick to be good one to begin some good fortune. Now recently they have been mentioned in the Russell Westbrook trade rumors but I don’t believe and hope this pick will not be included in that potential trade so the Hornets will select USC big man Onyeka Okongwu here hoping good times are ahead in the queen city.
#4 Chicago Bulls: The Bulls have a fresh start with new coach Bill Donovan to work a group of young promising talent like Coby White, Wendall Carter Jr and Zach LaVine this pick will only add to the riches of talents being collected in Chicago to build a bright future or to possibly bring get a big star player potentially. Georgia’s Anthony Edwards has been the top pick on most mock drafts for months and well deserved but for me this seemed to be the better spot for him and the Bulls get one of many steals of this drafts with Edwards being at 4.
#5 Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavaliers are one of the sad and forgetful teams in the NBA, this draft doesn’t have that savior that this franchise/city needs desperately needs but it has a player who could give some home state hope and team flexibility to move some players to contending situations like Kevin Love and Tristian Thompson possibly. The Cavs often need to pick a home state choice to restore the faith of the fans and this situation is no different so Dayton forward Obi Toppin is only choice for Cleveland to select here and could be a good future pairing alongside Darius Garland.
#6 Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks last season were a team on the fringe in the eastern conference playoff picture, with young superstar Trae Young leading the way the future is bright in the beautiful city of Atlanta. The Hawk can go a bunch of ways here frankly but I’m going to stick with they will keep the pick and select the first international man of mystery with Deni Avdija for Israel going alongside Young with the space and pace style offense.
#7 Minnesota Timberwolves (Via Detroit Pistons): Now to the other part the LaMelo Ball trade basically, the 7th pick where the Timberwolves select who were #1 but traded down to get the player that fits their roster better without the pressure of the #1 pick. Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell need a 3rd man to make their trio, ideally in their mind they would want their friend Suns Devin Booker but we deal in reality so with the #7 pick the T’Wolves select Auburn’s Isaac Okoro who would work or balance well with Russell in the backcourt.
#8 New York Knicks: My joy of laughing at the Knicks failure is simply no longer fun but disheartening, and now that is embarrassing as native New Yorker the Knicks need something to be a positive. Now with people in management is hopeful but the same ole bad owner however this draft may not have the one in a generation player but there plenty of foundation building players who you can depend on.
Point guard is position that needs improvement in New York and the Knicks select and go with a wild card move by drafting a backyard kid in Cole Anthony for North Carolina who hasn’t high on many mock draft boards but his talents, presence and pedigree in the city could work in his favor adjusting to pressure of being on the Knicks.
#9 Washington Wizards: The Wizards are simply a mess and what the future holds depends on this season with Beal and his decision on staying or forcing his way out and what John Wall looks like coming back from a major injury that sidelined him for 2 years. Best Player on the board should be the plan here but that would Killian Hayes which does not fit so Washington Wizards continues stockpiling forwards by selecting Saddiq Bey from Villanova.
#10 Phoenix Suns: The Suns had an impressive performance in the bubble showing promise and giving hope and have a top 10 to add to it. Devin Booker saying he wants out does not help but landing a great pick here could stop those comments and make Booker happier to stay. Phoenix here gets probably the biggest steal of the night and takes Killian Hayes from France with 10th pick giving Booker a legitimate point guard, ball handler/ playmaker to make life easy for him on offense.
#11 San Antonio Spurs: This sounds and feels weird, but the Spurs are in the lottery, after a down season the Spurs must reboot. San Antonio seems to solid in the backcourt with Dejonte Murray, Lonnie Walker, Bryn Forbes and Derrick White so the direction is upfront especially if their moving on from LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs surprise some and take a “project” with a high upside with Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa who under the tutelage of Tim Duncan and the spurs will develop into someone special.
#12 Boston Celtics (Via Sacramento Kings): Another disappoint that keeps on disappointing is the Kings, so where do they go with the 12th pick? TRADE IT! Yes, the Kings listened to the Celtics call and accepted their offer of the 14th,26th and 30th pick in exchange for this. So, Boston at this spot has a chance to get the playmaker they had their eyes and select Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton who will fit in perfectly with that Celtics core.
#13 New Orleans Pelicans: The young upstart Pelicans had a promising season last year despite mega young star Zion Williamson’s season was plagued with injuries but were competitive in the bubble. With new coach Stan Van Gundy they still are on the right path so with the 13th pick the Pelicans select Patrick Williams from Florida State to add on to this promising group.
#14 Sacramento Kings(Via Boston Celtics): The Kings fall back 2 spots with the trade with Celtics, Sacramento really are in basketball limbo and purgatory at the same time as a franchise so with the 14th pick the Kings select Vanderbilt’s 3-and-D wing Aaron Nesmith.
#15 Orlando Magic: Another team on a strange odyssey is the Magic where they do not know what direction to go in it seems like. The same applies to their pick here who at start was a strong top 5 pick at the start of the 2020 draft talks and hype and now is a mystery completely, but this may be a solid for both the Magic and R.J. Hampton who is selected at 15 so is the last of the lottery picks but the high lottery picks he was excepted to be at first, but despite Hampton’s dimensioning performance hurt his stocks it’s his high potential that makes him worth taking the chance on.
Well that is my mock draft I only do the top 15 but this year’s draft will fit this year as the great unknown with potential crazy surprises and moves along with no absolute sure thing bank on. You may not have your one in a generation player, but you will have plenty foundation, quality building, high potential players who can have long successful careers.