The 2020 NBA Draft picture continues to shape up.
The basketball world is on pause, and in the meantime, we here at TSS have ramped up our coverage of the 2020 NBA Draft which, for now, is still scheduled for June. Expect that to change in the very near future.
At this point, our understanding of the 2020 class is as clear as ever. The college basketball season is over, and International prospects will not return to basketball courts for a while. The COVID-19 pandemic has, in a strange way, altered the playing field. Rather than focus on in-person workouts and interviews, teams will need to lean more heavily on film and in-season evaluations. The same things we, the writers, lean on. It could bring our consensus closer to the teams than ever before.
The Philadelphia 76ers currently hold the 22nd overall pick, courtesy of the over-performing Oklahoma City Thunder. Expect the Sixers to pursue more help on the perimeter, either in the form of a 3-and-D wing or (finally) a backup point guard.
In accordance with recent tradition here at TSS, we have DETERMINED THE LOTTERY ORDER USING THE WONDERFUL LOTTERY SIMULATION SITE, TANKATHON. That means we have simulated the lottery. We figured the real NBA holds a lottery, so why shouldn’t we? Please do not leave a comment asking why the Phoenix Suns are picking first. It’s because they won our lottery.
The Suns win the game of luck and receive their second No. 1 pick in a three-year span. Unlike more recent classes, 2020 bears no consensus top prospect. Phoenix will need to weigh upside, fit, floor, and more. A reasonable outcome is LaMelo Ball.
Teams are likely torn on Ball, who is a divisive prospect in many respects. He’s not much of a defender, he has inconsistent shooting mechanics, and he’s still rail-thin despite a solid 6-foot-6 frame. On the other hand, it’s difficult to argue against his ceiling. Ball has several star qualities, which in this class, could earn him the No. 1 slot.
Phoenix needs a point guard to play alongside Devin Booker in the backcourt. While Ball doesn’t solve the Suns’ defensive woes, he does give the Suns a top-level playmaker who can push the pace and make his teammates better. Ball has some self-involved tendencies, but he’s the best in the 2020 class when it comes to improving those around him. He could take the Suns’ burgeoning offense to the next level.
A home-grown Georgia product, Anthony Edwards gets to stay in-state to begin his NBA career. The Hawks don’t have a clear “position of need” — the young core is fairly well-rounded — but Edwards is the top prospect on many draft boards, and it’s easy to picture his fit next to Trae Young and company.
A strong, powerful athlete, Edwards emerged as one of college basketball’s elite wing scorers. He can bludgeon smaller defenders en route to the basket, or he can use his shot-making creativity to exploit less agile opponents. He can, with relative efficiency, get his own at all three levels.
The Hawks are an ideal setting for most prospects. Edwards wouldn’t have the burden of primary creation duties — Young can create plenty for everyone — and the supporting cast is full of high-end shooters and rim-runners. Not to mention, a Clint Capela–Cam Reddish-Edwards trio is a good starting place for an Atlanta team in need of a defensive turnaround.
The Pelicans luck out for the second consecutive summer. Despite a late-season surge upon Zion Williamson‘s arrival, they end up with a top-three selection. New Orleans has a fairly deep rotation at the moment, and playoff aspirations are on the horizon. It makes sense to pick the most NBA-ready talent.
Enter Deni Avdija, who has contributed in a legitimate capacity to an elite European club. While far from perfect as a prospect, Avdija harbors a lot of traits the NBA presently deems valuable. He’s 6-foot-8 and fairly mobile on defense. He’s an elite wing playmaker, he can swap between positions, and he’s a versatile scorer.
Avdija isn’t ready to operate as the primary star, partially due to his athletic limitations. He wouldn’t need to, however, in New Orleans, where Williamson is a budding superstar. Not to mention Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday, who are a more-than-apt playmaking engine on their own. Avdija would be asked to fit in, not stand out, which could do him good.
The reigning National Player of the Year, Obi Toppin‘s sophomore season was a revelation. He has now embedded himself in the top-five on many draft boards. The Bulls are caught awkwardly between a rebuild and the next stage of evolution. There is enough talent in Chicago to start competing sooner than later. Toppin is prepared to contribute to winning.
A burly 6-foot-9, Toppin has some positional versatility in the frontcourt. He’s not a full-time center by any stretch, but Toppin is a versatile offensive piece who should fit amicably in numerous lineup combinations. He can spread the floor, attack in straight-line drives, and even create for others in spurts.
The Bulls have a solid frontcourt quartet in Wendell Carter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Thaddeus Young, and Daniel Gafford. Still, given Toppin’s readiness and the Bulls’ desire to compete, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bulls pull the trigger on someone this accomplished.
The Warriors don’t seem particularly high on James Wiseman, and understandably so. The Warriors, however, are slotted No. 1 in most hypotheticals — not fifth. If the lottery deals Golden State a rotten hand, it’s difficult to imagine Wiseman falling much further than this.
Golden State doesn’t have a clear area of need when healthy. This is a bonafide title contender. Center is, however, the Warriors’ weakest position, and Wiseman would have a non-zero chance of joining Steve Kerr‘s loaded starting five.
Wiseman has a lot to prove on both ends, but he’s a skilled interior scorer and a dynamic 7-foot-1 athlete. On paper, Wiseman should have no trouble developing into a high-end rim protector. He will need to develop the fundamentals and patience necessary to acquire such a label, but from an athletic standpoint, few prospects are more tantalizing than Wiseman. He’s a specimen.
The Cavs have a lot invested on the perimeter. In the event Andre Drummond and Tristan Thompson leave this summer, Cleveland could be looking for a long-term solution in the frontcourt. Kevin Love‘s presence is also temporary, one would expect.
Onyeka Okongwu was a surprise to many this season. He’s one of the less-heralded prospects to crack the top-10, but his new status is well-deserved. Okongwu quickly became one of college basketball’s most efficient, explosive frontcourt players. He’s a productive rim-runner and, despite his smaller 6-foot-9 frame, should have no trouble finding a home in NBA offenses.
Where Okongwu shines most is defense. He can both protect the rim — arguably better than anyone in this class — and slide his feet on the perimeter. Okongwu is built to anchor a modern defensive scheme. The Cavs are an abysmal defensive team in need of such an anchor.
The Timberwolves have more than enough firepower between Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Malik Beasley. The next step in rounding out the rotation with solid defenders and complementary talents. Isaac Okoro profiles as a perfect fit.
While there are legitimate concerns about Okoro’s ability to produce in a professional offense — he’s not much of a shooter, nor a playmaker — his defense on the wing is top-rate. He can shuffle seamlessly between positions and cover a lot of ground on that end of the floor. Defense alone should keep Okoro on the floor.
Offensively, Okoro will need to find ways to leverage his athleticism in creative ways and score around the rim. At 6-foot-6, he’s still young and has plenty of room to grow. The Wolves, in this instance, are a solid fit. The floor will be plenty spaced around him. Russell plays a good set-up man, to boot.
Cole Anthony‘s season was widely considered a disappointment. He was plagued by injury and inconsistency, and his advanced statistics do little to improve the picture. Still, he flashed the quick-twitch athleticism and scoring upside that led so many to fall in love with him before the season. Pedigree alone will probably keep Anthony in or around the top-10.
Detroit happens to need a point guard. In fact, Detroit needs star power to move the franchise forward, and there’s a strong argument to be made that Anthony has the highest ceiling of any prospect left on the board, even as his slightly advanced age.
There is a good chance Derrick Rose is moved before the 2021 trade deadline. At that point, Anthony can step in as the lead playmaker for a Pistons team on the verge of a long rebuild. He should have no shortage of opportunities here.
Strongly in the race for No. 1 on my personal board, Killian Hayes in a steal at this point in the draft. The Knicks desperately need a point guard, and while New York doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to their reception of lesser-known foreign prospects, Hayes would turn negative press around fairly quickly.
At 6-foot-5, Hayes fills a strong athletic profile at the point guard position. He can operate as the solo playmaker or slide to more of a two-guard role if needed. The Knicks, of course, don’t have a ton of playmaking firepower to lean on at the moment.
Hayes is a quick-twitch athlete and a demonstratively intelligent passer. He has produced well overseas, and at a young age, there’s still room for Hayes to improve as a perimeter scorer — his shot mechanics are a tad inconsistent. He’s one of the better playmakers in this class, full stop. The Knicks could use that.
Devin Vassell has been a constant riser all season. The Hornets are set at point guard, and the center options are fairly sparse at this stage in the draft. Vassell is a logical choice — someone who can fit into just about any rotation.
A long 6-foot-5 wing, Vassell fills the ever-coveted 3-and-D to an absolute T. He was one of the more proficient three-point shooters in college basketball last season. He could find plenty of spot-up opportunities next to Devonte’ Graham, a talented playmaker who demands attention from opposing defenses.
Vassell also has great promise as a defender. His 6-foot-10 wingspan offers a great deal of versatility, and his counting stats — in the steal and block categories — point to a knack for creating havoc. He can disrupt passing lanes, rotate crisply on the weak side, and generate turnovers at a high rate.
The Wizards are still hanging on to false hope of a John Wall–Bradley Beal pairing. At some point, it will be time to move on — probably from Beal, given his status as an immensely tradeable asset. When the rebuild inevitably starts, Tyrese Haliburton would be a useful piece to have.
Haliburton spent his entire sophomore season rising up draft boards. He’s not an explosive playmaker, but he is both highly efficient and highly intelligent. Haliburton is a patient, measured creator who can fit next to a more dynamic playmaker, such as Wall or Beal.
Washington is a strangely constructed roster without a ton of real, proven NBA talent. Haliburton doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but he has a high floor and a skill set designed to impact winning. He wouldn’t have any issue endearing himself to D.C. fans.
The Spurs were atypically messy this season. Not necessarily from an execution standpoint, but from a roster construction standpoint. San Antonio simply lacks the personnel to contend in a modern league, even if Gregg Popovich is the coach. Precious Achiuwa is a step in the direction of a true rebuild.
Achiuwa is not the most Spursian prospect. His appeal is rooted more in athleticism and upside than it is in basketball I.Q. and impact on winning. He’s a hulking 6-foot-9 forward who can terrorize opponents in transition. He has some serious appeal as a small-ball center too.
San Antonio’s frontcourt is set at the moment, but Jakob Poeltl could leave this summer and LaMarcus Aldridge is drafting further and further from his prime. Achiuwa profiles as a strong long-term successor to Aldridge at the four.
The Kings may lose Bogdan Bogdanovic this summer, which could increase the need for another scoring punch on the perimeter. If not, the case for Tyrese Maxey in this slot is still strong. He’s arguably the best player available, and he was one of the most prolific guards in college basketball this season.
Maxey is on the short end of the two-guard spectrum at 6-foot-3, but he has the girth and length necessary to accompany De’Aaron Fox. He’d fit comfortably in a sixth man role, where his pull-up shooting and general nose for the basket would be put to good use.
Sacramento has stalled after a promising 2018-19 campaign. The path forward is unclear, but they are in no position to prioritize fit over talent here. Maxey is an undeniable talent, and as far as need goes, there aren’t many better fits either.
The Blazers have remained steadfast in their commitment to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Despite a down season of sorts, one should expect Portland to hover around the playoffs again next season — especially if Jusuf Nurkic is back to 2018-19 form.
Aaron Nesmith is a perfect complement to just about any star-powered core. He’s one of the best shooters — maybe even the best shooter — in the 2020 rookie class. There are concerns about his injury history, but if the doctors give the all-clear, Nesmith has a real chance at the lottery.
The Blazers have prioritized potential over readiness in recent seasons — Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little are prime examples — but in this instance, on the back of a relatively disappointing season, it makes sense to select someone with an elite, bankable skill. Nesmith has it.
Injuries cut R.J. Hampton’s season short in the NBL. He wasn’t terribly effective in his first professional season, but Hampton harbors the NBA tools and the pedigree necessary to garner top-15 consideration.
The Magic have, hopefully, found a point guard of the future in Markelle Fultz. He’s still far from perfect, but considering the circumstances, Fultz’s emergence as Orlando’s undisputed starter qualifies as a major success. Even so, Hampton and Fultz are big enough to share the court, and it’s time for Orlando to diversify a forward-heavy roster.
Hampton is a quick-twitch athlete who can aptly score at all three levels. He’s also a solid playmaker, and at 6-foot-5, has some versatility on defense. He can add variety to a sometimes stagnant offense, and there’s a decent chance he outperforms his placement at 15.
The Timberwolves pound the wing again, this time adding another strong fit. Saddiq Bey is a formidable athlete at 6-foot-8, and he profiles as such on defense. Bey can defend all over the floor, something Minnesota should greatly value.
While not the most well-rounded offensive talent, Bey is a 40+ percent shooter from deep. He should thrive as a standstill shooter next to Towns and Russell, which could help offset Isaac Okoro’s lack of spacing earlier in the draft.
Bey has all the tools of a successful NBA role player. He can contribute to winning immediately, and he’s the type of player who, next to Okoro, Jarrett Culver, and Michael Beasley, could establish a solid group of wings in Minnesota.
The Celtics have three first-round picks and have lamented the excessive youth on the roster. There’s no guarantee Danny Ainge holds onto this pick. In this instance, he dips into the international waters, but Bolmaro is someone who could, given his mid-first round projection, come over immediately.
If so, the Celtics get a crafty wing who fits the profile of who Boston has traditionally valued. While there are real concerns about Bolmaro given his limited role in Barcelona and his shaky three-point shooting, his skill level at 6-foot-8 has natural appeal.
Bolmaro has real flashes of playmaking on the wing. He can create in pick-and-rolls, both for himself and others, and he has the size to potentially fill a couple different roles on defense. The Celtics get a relatively strong value in the mid-first round, plus the outside chance Bolmaro is a stash they can wait on.
Luka Doncic has established himself as the de facto point guard in Dallas. The Mavericks thus decide to bulk up on the wing. Josh Green didn’t have the best freshman campaign at Arizona, but by no means was it bad. He’s one of the best pure athletes on the board, and his physical gifts alone have resulted in many top-20 projections.
Green has shown the ability to hit open threes, and while his mechanics aren’t perfect, indicators would suggest a reasonably solid projection at the next level. He doesn’t provide much else on offense — not yet, at least — but as a freak athlete who can hit open shots, he should find utility in a Doncic-led offense.
Where Green shines most is defense. He leans into his frame and athleticism, and has hustle NBA execs are bound to love. He can defend all over the floor and is especially strong on-ball, where his 6-foot-10 wingspan can suffocate the point of attack.
The consensus is split on Nico Mannion. Some view him as a the type of high-I.Q. playmaker who is too smart to fail at the next level. Others view him as a terminally lackluster athlete who lacks the explosiveness necessary to operate as a lead guard in the NBA.
Milwaukee is a good starting point. Mannion, lack of burst and all, is a skilled shooter and passer who moves the ball and understands how to orchestrate an offense. In Milwaukee, he would have the unique benefit of playing next to (and off of) Giannis Antetokounmpo on a regular basis, which places less offensive weight on Mannion’s shoulders.
If he can operate as a ball-mover and a complementary piece, Mannion’s high skill level and intelligence should shine through. The Bucks play a smart, numbers-oriented brand of basketball. Mannion would have an opportunity not only for open looks on the perimeter, but to expand his horizons as a player, most notably in off-ball situations next to Giannis and Khris Middleton.
One of the most physical athletes in the 2020 class, Patrick Williams could fill a need in Brooklyn. The Nets are without a clear long-term option at power forward — to call Taurean Prince underwhelming is an understatement. He’s not a starting four on a title contender. This is a necessary depth move for Brooklyn.
Williams probably won’t contribute in a major capacity right away. He’s raw by most standards, and Brooklyn is expected to contend in the Eastern Conference next season. Most of Brooklyn’s moves in free agency and on the trade market will be geared toward winning.
Still, Williams has unique versatility on defense and the potential to contribute in a complementary role on offense. He’s a bare-minimum shooter, but he can shoot, and his defensive statistics at Florida State were impressive. He makes a lot of sense for a Nets team fond of hard-nosed competitors.
The Nuggets are atypically deep and lack a clear and pressing “need” in the 2020 class. That means best player available, which at this stage, is likely Theo Maledon. The French point guard has received lottery valuations on some boards, and at 6-foot-4, he has enough size to fit in any number of guard combinations Denver could concoct.
Maledon was a productive 18-year-old in Europe, which is generally a good sign. He’s not a top-tier athlete, but skill-wise, it’s clear why Maledon has gained traction despite a wealth of point guard talent in the upcoming rookie class. He’s a whip-smart playmaker with NBA craft. Denver is a good spot for him to grow and develop slowly, with plenty of help.
Some have projected Maledon as high as the lottery. He has intense competition at his position, and in Denver, he would not project as a year-one contributor. That’s not always a bad thing, though. The Nuggets have earned quite the reputation for player development. This is a good spot for him.
The Sixers tend to settle for less exciting prospects, but Kira Lewis Jr. is a special talent who could provide essential services to a stagnate Philadelphia offense. Few teams need speed, quickness, and creativity like the Sixers. Lewis happens to provide all three in plentitude.
Maybe the fastest end-to-end play in the 2020 class, Lewis is a truly gifted athlete. His thin frame is a cause for concern on some fronts, but his ability to get in transition, push the tempo, and pressure the defense is unmatched by most in this draft. The Sixers would benefit greatly from said ability to pressure defenses, whether next to Ben Simmons on the fast break, or in a halfcourt offense, where he’s adept at darting inside and creating for others.
Lewis has undeniable limitations, both as a defender and as a scorer, but in the end, he’s the quickest of quick-twitch athletes, and his playmaking chops are undisputed. The Sixers need firepower at the point guard position, whether the front office admits it or not. He will probably end up top-15 on my personal board.
This feels very much like a Heat pick. Most projections have Cassius Stanley floating somewhere in the second round, but the Duke product has the intangibles Miami perpetually prioritizes. Given the departure of Justise Winslow and the ensuring disappointment of Andre Iguodala, Stanley could be tabbed to fill a similar role.
Stanley is an easy fan favorite. He’s an explosive athlete who’s quick to find himself above the rim. He’s also a glue guy in the traditional sense — not the most skilled, but someone who will defend all over the floor, move the ball, and do everything in his power to better his teammates.
If nothing else, Stanley projects as an NBA-level defender who can dash inside and score effectively at the rim. He fits comfortably in Miami’s system. Stanley will need to show he can shoot consistently from NBA range, but he feels too much like a #HeatCulture guy to ignore.
The Jazz have run into a problem. The Rudy Gobert–Donovan Mitchell rift is real, and while Gobert has voiced his commitment to fixing it and to winning a championship in Utah, such overtures are often superficial. There is a non-zero chance the Jazz end up trading one this offseason, and Gobert is the most likely casualty given Mitchell’s youth and marketability. Not to mention, it was Gobert who started the locker room fracture in the first place.
In the event Gobert is on or near the chopping block, the Jazz could look for a replacement at center. If not, it wouldn’t hurt Utah to add depth anyway. Isaiah Stewart is higher than this on most boards, and he makes a great deal of sense for Utah’s slower, grind-it-out style.
Stewart is a hulking 7-footer. He does have some traditional big man tendencies modern front offices tend to frown upon, but he’s a physical interior presence who has no problem scoring at the rim. He has also flashed promise as a shooter, and his rim protection skills are well documented. Odds are he won’t fall much further than this.
OKC is a wild card franchise this offseason. Many expect Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, and Steven Adams to end up on the trade market. There’s no point in chugging along in the middle of the pack while CP3 and Gallo loose value and demand. On the other hand, the Thunder are fun, and Paul has undeniably benefited Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a leader. There’s a chance OKC does ride it out. There’s also a chance nobody trades for CP3, and they have no choice.
All that to say, no one has a clear picture on what OKC’s draft-night needs will be. One can then expect them to follow traditional OKC philosophies, which tend to involve high-upside wings who can defend and do the dirty work.
Jahmi’us Ramsey isn’t a noted defender, but he’s a talented shooter who has come on strong as a scoring threat at Texas Tech. He has shot up draft boards all season, and he could give OKC a needed punch in the second unit.
Another voyage to international waters for Boston. This time, it’s someone who is more likely to stay overseas. The Celtics probably won’t keep all three picks, but if they do — which is what happened in 2019 — expect some effort to draft-and-stash.
The appeal with Pokusevski is obvious. He’s a skilled 7-footer who can move his feet and shoot from the perimeter. Any floor-spacing big is going to draw NBA eyeballs. His slight frame and limited feel are red flags, but as a long-term project who spends another season or two in Europe, he makes a lot of sense.
The Celtics need help at the center position. Daniel Theis is more than serviceable, but he’s not special. Enes Kanter is certainly not the answer, and the rest of the rotation is fairly well balanced. An investment in the frontcourt seems inevitable.
The Knicks have a potential hole at center beyond Mitchell Robinson. In this instance, they use their second first-round pick to resolve the issue. Daniel Oturu emerged as one of college basketball’s top centers this season, and he did so on both sides of the ball.
At 6-foot-10, Oturu has the size and length to hold up as a rim protector at the next level. He rejected over two shots per game this past season, and he’s a fairly mobile athlete for his size. On the other end, Oturu is not only an efficient finisher, but he’s a burgeoning three-point threat. A lot of boxes are checked.
Oturu will need to improve his basketball I.Q. in New York. He’s currently a bit of a turnover machine, and his instincts as a passer are, frankly, not good. The Knicks are in the middle of a rebuild and can bank on Oturu’s obvious potential.
A top-10 prospect coming into the season, Jaden McDaniels disappointed many at Washington. For all his talent as a silky 6-foot-10 scorer, a lack of effort and consistency have dragged McDaniels down. Similar issues plagued him back in high school too.
There are concerns over McDaniels’ so-called “love for the game.” That’s normally a pretty lame insult to lob at a future NBA player, but it’s a question NBA teams have or will have when McDaniels hops on a Zoom call in July. He will need to prove his desire to improve, and eventually, to win.
The Raptors are a perfect destination. He’s still a top-end talent, and Toronto has both the resources and the time to bring McDaniels along slowly. He would have the benefit of veteran leadership, as well as a world-class organizational structure behind him. He has a good chance to outperform his placement here.
If the Lakers have one position of need, it’s point guard. Not for the minutes LeBron James is on the floor, but for the minutes he’s not on the floor. Rajon Rondo is a nice thought, but he’s too far gone. Alex Caruso is next in line, but L.A. would be wise to add another capable playmaker to the second unit.
At this point, many would consider Tre Jones the best prospect on the board. He’s a proven high-I.Q. playmaker who minimizes mistakes and defends his position. He’s also a good shooter who can thrive in a less ball-dominant capacity next to LeBron and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers will want someone who can come in and produce on a championship-contending roster. Jones is very much that. He’s not a top-tier athlete, nor is his ceiling overwhelmingly high, but his floor is. He’s the type of high-floor, positive-impact-on-winning player the Lakers will covet.
The Celtics end the first round with an investment at the point guard position. Boston presently lacks a long-term option behind Kemba Walker, and Carsen Edwards seems increasingly unlikely to fill the void. Pritchard isn’t the most exciting prospect, but the Celtics are focused on winning, and Pritchard has all the intangibles of a serviceable NBA role player.
Pritchard has been a staple of winning basketball at Oregon. He’s a hard-nosed competitor and a complete gamer. His effort is there constantly, and he’s a big-time shot-maker on the perimeter. He effectively distributed the ball in Oregon’s offense, and his three-point stroke projects exceedingly well at the next level.
The Celtics add an accomplished prospect who can run the offense in spurts and provide a shot-making lift off the bench. There are other upperclassmen point guards in this range — Cassius Winston is a popular name — but Pritchard provides some extra spunk and spark as a scorer. He gets the nod.