The Philadelphia 76ers have five picks in the 2020 roundtable pre-lottery mock draft.
During this hiatus, some of The Sixer Sense staff thought it would be a good and fun idea to do a roundtable mock draft. The Philadelphia 76ers came out pretty well in this mock draft considering that they had five picks.
Before getting into the draft, it’s good to establish the rules and guidelines that were apart of this draft. This was not a timed draft, so it took over a day to complete. We also established the order fo the draft based on current rankings.
We started with the first pick and worked our way down to the 60th pick. There were no trades in this draft either. It kept things simple that way and kept the draft moving at a steady enough pace.
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Staff members were assigned to certain teams. This made more sense rather than doing a snake because, in a snake style draft, different people would be selecting for the same team. Assigning staff members to teams keeps continuity in a particular team’s draft strategy. Each staff member made close to the same number of draft selection and that was all in the name of fairness.
Below is a key for each staff member and which teams they drafted for.
- Co-Site Expert Lucas Johnson: Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, and Denver Nuggets.
- Co-Site Expert Christopher Kline: Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Milwaukee Bucks.
- Contributor Adam Gilbert: Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, and Brooklyn Nets.
- Contributor Jonathan Geib: Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Detriot Pistons, and Dallas Mavericks.
- Contributor Matt Plesco: New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Utah Jazz
Without any further delay, Let’s start with the first pick!
1st pick: Warriors- James Wiseman
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Most mock drafts have Anthony Edwards going first overall, so this is a bit of an untraditional pick. I like what Edwards brings to the table as the best scorer in college basketball at such a young age, but I’m in love with the mystery and physical gifts of James Wiseman. I selected him first overall not because of what he is, but of what I believe he can become.
Wiseman has size and basketball ability that reminds me of Joel Embiid at Kansas. He is bigger than everyone on the court, demonstrates advanced footwork from the post, has shown touch from the outside, and is a gifted rebounder. With the addition of some muscle and years developing his game at the next level, there is no reason to believe Wiseman can’t become as dominant as Embiid.
It is important to take the Warriors position in the league into consideration as well. They will likely strongly consider trading the first overall pick to reload with proven talent. Tack another borderline star onto a team with the greatest shooting backcourt in NBA history, and Golden State will once again be a frontrunner to win the NBA title.
However, if they choose to keep the pick the same logic makes Wiseman the logical selection. Curry and Thompson have the backcourt locked down. The Warriors need young talent in their frontcourt, and that’s exactly what Wiseman would provide.
2nd pick: Calavliers- Anthony Edwards
Plesco-
The decision for the second pick was an easy one. If the Warriors take James Wiseman, the Cleveland Cavaliers take Anthony Edwards and vice versa. Despite having Colin Sexton and Darius Garland, the Edwards decision is a no brainer. The Cavs are in desperate need of talent and that’s what Edwards provides.
The “Ant-Man” is a 6-foot-5 bruiser who is able to create his own shot whenever he wants. Edwards is young and raw and has the potential to be a star player in the league for years to come. Think Dwyane Wade, Victor Oladipo, and Donavon Mitchell. Edwards will be an impact player for years to come.
3rd pick: Timberwolves- LaMelo Ball
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The Timberwolves are going through a major retooling right now. They traded small forward Andrew Wiggins for point guard D’Angelo Russell at the trade deadline, but the roster is far from a finished product. Selecting point guard LaMelo Ball makes a lot of sense for Minnesota despite the fact that they already have Russell.
Ball is not only the best player with the highest ceiling still on the board at this point, but he can also help Russell orchestrate the up-tempo offense that head coach Ryan Saunders is trying to implement. Russell has a good history of playing alongside other point guards like Spencer Dinwiddie, so adding Ball shouldn’t be a problem. At 6-foot-7, Ball has the size and skills to make a big impact with the T-Wolves for many years to come.
4th pick: Hawks- Killian Hayes
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On paper, this is a strange fit. Hayes provides little as a catch-and-shoot threat — at this stage in his career, at least — and the Hawks already have a dynamic lead guard in Trae Young. However, Hayes is the No. 2 prospect on my board and someone who, on talent alone, is difficult to pass up.
Hayes is an endlessly smart playmaker. He thrives in the pick-and-roll, he can make every pass in the book, and he’s a creative shot-maker to top things off. He may not fit seamlessly next to Young, but Young can operate off-ball successfully and the Hawks should have no issue staggering point guard minutes. At 6-foot-5, Hayes has the size and the skill to make the dual-pronged backcourt work.
5th pick: Pistons- Obi Toppin
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“Ain’t no stoppin, Obi Toppin!” The National College Player of the Year is an athletic power forward from the University of Dayton. Toppin plays the type of stretch-four position that is thriving in today’s NBA. His midrange game keeps defenders honest and his explosiveness almost guarantees a poster dunk whenever a defender is in his way.
The Detroit Pistons recently moved on from Center, Andre Drummond. The move appeared to be as much a salary dump as it was moving on from a player who, as undoubtedly talented as he is, is becoming a relic in today’s NBA. Toppin provides more flexibility for a young Pistons lineup and will be a contributing factor from day one.
6th pick: Knicks- Cole Anthony
Geib-
Cole Anthony had the potential to challenge Obi Topping for College Player of the Year had he not suffered a mid-season knee injury. The injury does not appear to be of long-term concern as Anthony’s draft stock has remained relatively unchanged. He was the one silver lining in an otherwise dumpster fire of a season for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
As the son of former NBA player, Greg Anthony, Cole Anthony knows the importance of playing at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks have been nothing short of an embarrassment in recent year and the turnaround could start with Cole Anthony. Even though the Knicks drafted PG, Frank Ntilikina in 2017, Anthony is a must draft being the best available player remaining on the board.
7th pick: Bulls- Devin Vassell
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The Bulls have some really solid young players already on the roster. Coby White has star potential and Zach LaVine is a tier below a star. Young bigs Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen have real potential as well. What they need is a solid 3-and-D player on the perimeter and Devin Vassell can be that for them.
Vassell is 6-foot-6 and proved to a legit two-way player during his two years at Florida. This season, he averaged 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks, while converting 41.5 percent of his 3-pointers. There’s no player that has for sure star potential at this point in the draft so adding a bonafide 3-and-D player makes sense at this point for Chicago.
8th pick: Hornets- Onyeka Okongwu
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The Hornets need a lot. The team is a mix of young raw players and savvy veterans. At guard the team has promise, but the forward and center positions are a different story.
Onyeka Okongwu starred at USC and because of West Coast bias people don’t know much about him. He’s a dominant post player with insane athleticism. A terrific rebounder and inside scorer Okongwu excelled in the PAC-12. He can more than hold his own on the defensive end. Okongwu has incredible upside.
9th pick: Wizards- Isaac Okoro
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The Wizards struggled defensively this past season, despite their impressive offensive numbers. General manager Tom Sheppard needs to fix that asap. Washington has a nice core of John Wall (when healthy) and Bradly Beal (assuming he doesn’t get traded). They need to add a defensive stopper on the wing to complement two offensive stars.
Isaac Okoro is arguably the best defensive player in this draft. At 6-foot-6 he’s a versatile defender. Now the downside to Okoro is that he’s limited offensive, especially outside fo the paint, but the Wizards don’t need another offensive star, they need defense and he can provide that easily. If they develop him correctly, he should be passable on offense soon enough.
10th pick: Suns- Tyrese Haliburton
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After the Suns traded Eric Bledsoe a few seasons ago, the team had been in search of a quality point guard. Ricky Rubio was able to fill the gap well enough, but at 29-years-old he doesn’t fit the timeline of Phoenix’s young stars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. The Suns still need a franchise point guard of the future and Tyrese Haliburton could be the answer.
At 6-foot-5, Haliburton has great size at the point guard position and can play off-ball for when Booker takes over the offense. Last season, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 steals, while making 41.9 percent of his attempts from downtown. He’s a steal with the 10th pick.
11th pick: Spurs- RJ Hampton
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There was a discussion of RJ Hampton being a top-5 player in the draft when he was coming out of high school. However, Hampton made the decision to forgo playing college basketball in the United States last season in exchange for the opportunity to play professional ball in New Zealand.
Previous players to have made similar decisions skipping college include Brandon Jennings and Emmanuel Mudiay. Additionally, LaMelo Ball played this last season in the New Zealand league as well, prior to the upcoming draft.
Players that do not play American college basketball tend to have questions surrounding their talent and draft stock. New Zealand has fairly competitive basketball, but it is nothing like the United States. Regardless, Gregg Popovich has a great eye for international talent and will be eager to draft Hampton if he falls out of the top-10.
12th pick: Kings- Aaron Nesmith
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I believe Aaron Nesmith is the best shooter in the draft. There is a difference between him and Anthony Edwards. Edwards is a scorer with the unique ability to get his own shot off the dribble, while Nesmith is more of a catch-and-shoot player. Though he only played 14 games of his Sophomore season, Nesmith averaged 23.0 points shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 52.2 percent behind the line.
The Kings have some great young talent on their roster in De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield. Nesmith could be the perfect compliment to those budding stars as the starting small forward. Hield and Nesmith would be a deadly shooting combination and De’Aaron Fox is the perfect point guard to get them the ball. Shooting could not be more important in today’s NBA making Nesmith an invaluable pick-up for any team.
13th pick: Pelicans- Deni Avdija
Plesco-
It’s surprising Avdija fell this far. He’s one of the best players in the draft and has incredible upside. Many have him projected as a top-5 pick so grabbing him at 13 is an absolute steal. He’s not the perfect fit for New Orleans but he’s simply too good to pass up.
He’s drawn comparisons to Luka Doncic which, personally, I don’t see. He’s a creative offensive player who thrives off the bounce. His 3-point shot is shaky, but if that becomes consistent Avdija will be a star in the league.
14th pick: Blazers- Patrick Williams
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I love this pick for the Portland Trail Blazers. This is a team with a dynamic backcourt and an array of individual talent at the center position in Jusuf Nurkic and Hassan Whiteside. They are a starting stretch four away from being a complete team. Carmelo Anthony was a great pick up this year, but he is only getting older and his role should therefore eventually be reduced to a scorer off the bench if he decides to re-sign. Insert Patrick Williams out of Florida State University.
Williams averaged 9.2 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 45.9 percent from the field in his freshman campaign. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but the skills are there. He is an athletic defender with the ability to guard in the post and out to the 3-point line.
Williams has a little bit of a handle, rebounds well, can finish around the rim, and has a jump shot. That last part is crucial. He can stretch out to the 3-point line and knock down an open look. That’s why you can’t pass on Patrick Williams as the Blazers. He can grow into the stretch four of the future.
15th pick: Magic- Saddiq Bey
Plesco-
The Magic have holes all over the roster. In a relatively light draft of forwards, Bey is a steal for Orlando. He perfectly fits the Magic, who are in desperate need of defense and 3-point scoring.
Bey is the quintessential NBA small forward. He shoots the ball extraordinarily well from deep and plays stone-wall defense. Think Khris Middleton. A great 3-and-D prospect who will contribute right away.
16th pick: Timberwolves- Precious Achiuwa
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After selecting point guard LaMelo Ball with the third pick, the Timberwolves need to address their big man situation. Outside fo Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota lacks any proven big men on the roster. With Precious Achiuwa still on the board in this mock draft, picking him just makes sense for the T-Wolves at this point.
Achiuwa is a 6-foot-9 defensive monster. He needs to add a little more strength but last season he averaged a double-double with 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks, while shooting 32.5 from deep. His defense can help out the Towns how struggles on that end and he has potential as a stretch big, which should make him an interesting prospect for Minny.
17th pick: Celtics- Nico Mannion
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Nico Mannion grew up playing basketball in Italy and only played one year of college basketball at the University of Arizona, prior to declaring for this year’s NBA draft. Manion is a high-flying point guard with the ability to score from all over the court. He finished the season second on the team in scoring for the Wildcats.
Boston has a solidified starting point guard in Kemba Walker, but Manion can complement Walker’s playing style. Both Walker and Manion have great court vision, but they thrive on scoring as well. Neither would be classified as a “pass first” point guard. Therefore, both have the ability to play off the ball in the shooting guard role. It is more likely though, that Manion will run the second unit in Boston due to the current roster construction.
18th pick: Mavericks- Tyrese Maxey
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Tyrese Maxey was this year’s on-court leader for the perennially young Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. Maxey can put up points, but his most desirable attribute is his defense. He can guard multiple positions with his length and quickness.
The Mavericks are on the precipice of becoming a true NBA title contender. The combination of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis has proven successful. Tyrese Maxey could be the final piece to help the Mavericks put together a deep playoff run. Doncic and Maxey would an intimidating backcourt in a talented, guard-heavy Western Conference.
19th pick: Bucks- Tyrell Terry
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This is one of the better fits on the board. Milwaukee needs shooters and guard help, especially with the long-term functionality of Eric Bledsoe constantly in question. Terry is a lightning-rod shooter from deep, but he’s also a slick playmaker who can run pick-and-rolls, probe the defense, and create for others.
A small (and painfully thin) frame will limit Terry on defense, but the Bucks have the personnel to cover him. Terry would benefit greatly from the constant pressure Giannis Antetokounmpo puts on the rim — not to mention Giannis’ ability to help shoulder the playmaking load.
20th pick: Nets- Jaden McDaniels
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This Brooklyn Nets team is going to be mean next year. Kevin Durant is returning from his Achilles injury to join Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan, and a litany of young talent on a team that could very well be the favorite to come out of the East. There’s not a lot missing from this team which means the main priority of the Brooklyn Nets should be adding versatility. That makes Jaden McDaniels out of Washington University the perfect selection.
McDaniels is a long, skinny forward with shooting and scoring abilities reminiscent of a lesser Kevin Durant. If McDaniels develops the Nets could have two lanky scoring forwards playing both forward spots in Durant and McDaniels. This selection maximizes the versatility of their roster.
Let’s say the Nets decide to go small. They could put McDaniels on the bench and give Spencer Dinwiddie the start at the two spot, placing Joe Harris at the three and Durant at the four. However, if the Nets want to go big, they could overwhelm an opponent with length by having Durant play the two, McDaniels the three, Jarrett Allen the four, and Jordan the five. Drafting Jaden McDaniels makes the Nets better from a strategic and basketball perspective.
21st pick: Nuggets- Josh Green
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The Nuggets need to bulk up their depth on the perimeter, especially after trading away Malik Beasley at the trade deadline. Lucky for them, there is an athletic wing with two-way potential still on the board at this point. Josh Green could be a steal for the Nuggets at the 21st pick.
During his one year at college, he averaged 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals, while converting 36.1 percent of his 3-pointers. He’s probably not going to be a star, but he has solid 3-and-D potential with athleticism. He could become a solid bench player for Denver for years to come.
22nd pick: 76ers- Kira Lewis Jr.
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“Lewis will put pressure on the rim and liven up the Sixers’ often stagnant halfcourt offense.”- Kline
The Sixers could stand to spice things up in a rather stale rotation. Enter Kira Lewis, potentially the fastest end-to-end player on the board, as well as a skilled all-around playmaker at the point guard spot. He can pair nicely with Ben Simmons, or lead the second-unit charge.
Lewis will put pressure on the rim and liven up the Sixers’ often stagnant halfcourt offense. He needs to be more assertive as a finisher, but his advanced handles and instincts as a passer should make him an effective lead guard. He’s also a good shooter and should have no issues playing off-ball for long stretches.
23rd pick: Heat- Jalen Smith
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The Heat could end up losing Meyers Leonard and Kelly Olynyk in free agency. They also don’t have another young big man to pair their young All-Star big man Bam Adebayo. With that in mind, Jalen Smith makes sense for the Heat with the 23rd pick.
Smith is an impressive two-way prospect that Miami has missed at the power forward position. This season, the 6-foot-10 big man has averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks, while making 36.8 percent of his shots from downtown. He seems like a solid complimentary big man to pair with Adebayo.
24th pick: Jazz- Jahmi’us Ramsey
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Top to bottom Utah has a solid roster. They are a few pieces away from contending in the west. While they can’t get another star in this draft, they can solidify their back up guard spot.
Ramsey is a great fit for Utah. He plays high energy basketball and always seems to find the ball. Ramsey can play at the point guard or the shooting guard spot and provides exactly what Utah needs.
25th pick: Thunder- Vernon Carey Jr.
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Vernon Carey Jr. led the Duke Blue Devil’s in points, rebounds, and blocks this past season as a freshman and solidified himself as a first-round draft pick. Carey is an all-around player with professional offensive and defensive tools. He will need to attempt more shots outside the paint at the next level, which should not be a big ask considering he has proven he has the ability during his time at Duke.
Oklahoma City surprised everyone this year finishing fifth in a stacked Western Conference, in a year many thought would be a disappointment after trading Russell Westbrook. Chris Paul has taken the young players under his wing and been a mentor in their development. Carey should fit into this system well and benefit from being drafted by the Thunder.
26th pick: Celtics- Tre Jones
Geib-
Tre Jones will follow his Duke teammate Vernon Carey Jr. in the draft and land with the Boston Celtics. With the Celtics drafting Nico Manion earlier and having Kemba Walker this may seem counterintuitive, but Jones is simply the best available prospect on the board at 26. Boston does not necessarily have to keep all three-point guards on their roster going forward but passing on Jones here would be a mistake.
Jones finished the season second in the ACC in assists per game and sixth in steals per game. He is a gritty player who makes up for his lack of size with effort. An appropriate NBA comparable is T.J. McConnell. Jones will most likely bring energy off the bench and help motivate a second lineup. Additionally, whereas Walker and Manion have the skills to play off the ball, Jones is a pure point guard.
27th pick: Knicks- Zeke Nnaji
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Zeke Nnaji made the most of his one season at the University of Arizona and deservedly moved up draft boards as the season went on. As a relatively strong recruit coming out of high school his game needed polishing prior to entering the NBA. Nnaji did just that and finished the season leading the Wildcats in points and rebounds.
The New York Knicks, as stated before, have been in a perpetual state of disappointment. By pairing a large paint presence like Nnaji, with an athletic guard in Cole Anthony, the 2020 draft might plant the seeds for a return to relevance for the Knicks.
28th pick: Raptors- Daniel Oturu
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Let’s face it, the Raptors big men aren’t getting any younger. Marc Gasol will turn 36 next season and Serge is turning 30. Though they are both effective players in the late stages of their careers, the Raptors are going to need some youth in the frontcourt to pair with Pascal Siakam.
Coming out of Minnesota University, Daniel Oturu, is a walking double-double. He averaged 20.1 points and 11.2 rebounds per game shooting 56.2% from the field. He is 6-foot-10 with range, a post-game, and a nose for boarding the basketball. Given the opportunity to learn from players like Gasol and Ibaka, Oturu and Siakam could grow into a frontcourt duo feared league-wide.
29th pick: Lakers- Aleksej Pokusevski
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Philadelphia 76ers
The best player left on the board, it’s easy to envision Pokusevski’s fit in LA. As a 7-footer, he’s one of the smoothest shooters available. He can curl around screens, hit jumpers on the move, and score in ways more akin to a wing than a big. He’s a special and exciting talent on offense.
For Pokusevski, the issues lie in his frame. He’s comically thin and will need to improve his frame to survive in the NBA. There’s a genuine chance he’s physically incapable of NBA success, which will keep him out of the lottery on most boards. Even so, his size, mobility, and skills provides a rare combination of attributes.
30th pick: Celtics- Isaiah Stewart
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Isaiah Stewart rounds out the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft. Stewart was the only reason the underperforming Washington Huskies received any national attention. He dominated the Pac-12 and finished seventh in scoring, second in rebounds, and third in blocks in the conference.
The Celtics could use some help in the frontcourt as Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter currently alternate at the center position. Both are serviceable big men, but Stewart could provide a young, athletic body to help defensively against opposing centers. The Celtics are already a contender in the Eastern Conference, but the savvy Danny Ainge has compiled three first-round picks in the 2020 NBA Draft.
31st pick: Mavericks- Leandro Bolmaro
Geib-
Leonardo Bolmaro is a European prospect with several question marks surrounding his game. However, having begun his professional career in 2017, the 19-year-old has had close to four years of experience playing against Europe’s best professionals. Bolmaro’s future teammate Luka Doncic is another European player who began his professional career at a young age. I am not saying Bolmaro is the next Doncic, but the Mavericks undoubtedly see the upside here.
32nd pick: Hornets- Theo Maledon
Plesco-
The Hornets got the big man they needed in Okongwu and it’s time to turn attention to the backcourt. Maledon should have been selected in the first round. He’s a terrific athlete with great size. He has all the physical tools to succeed. At 6-foot-8 Maledon is a fantastic point guard prospect.
“Tillie is arguably the most skilled big in the draft.”-Kline
33rd pick: Timberwolves- Tyler Bey
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So far in this draft, Minnesota has addressed the point guard and the big man positions. With the 33rd pick, they need to add some depth on the perimeter and Tyler Bey is a solid value at this pick. He’s a great rebounder at 6-foot-7 averaging 9.0 rebounds per game last season. Tyler Bey has potential as a defender and 3-point shooter, but there are some questions around his shooting as he didn’t show consistent shooting during his three years in college.
34th pick: 76ers- Killian Tillie
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The Sixers’ crop of bigs behind Joel Embiid and Al Horford isn’t particularly exciting. Tillie is arguably the most skilled big in the draft. He’s a honey-sweet shooter, a smart passer, and a quick decision-maker. Frankly, he’s a lottery talent. He has major injury concerns, but if Tillie can stay on the floor, he’ll probably outperform expectations.
35th pick: Kings- Ayo Dosunmu
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Ayo Dosunmu out of Illinois University is a slashing shooting guard. Statistically, Dosunmu is not one of the better shooting guards in the draft. He averaged 16.6 points shooting 48.4 percent from the field and an abysmal 29.6 percent from the 3-point line. He turned the ball over 3 times a game and saw virtually no improvement in his rebounding or assist numbers from freshman to sophomore year.
With all that being said I am a strong believer in Ayo Dosunmu. The dude wants the ball in the big moments and most of the time he comes through. He hit a game-winner against Michigan and put the finishing touches on games against Penn State, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Shooting can be improved, but Dosunmu’s killer instinct can’t be taught.
36th pick: 76ers- Immanuel Quickley
“Add in an impressive three-point percentage on high volume, and there’s a lot to like from Philadelphia’s perspective.” – Kline
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Another guard who can spice up the rotation, Quickley is both an elite shooter and an enticing athlete. He, too, is a speedster who can pressure the rim and get out in transition. Add in an impressive three-point percentage on high volume, and there’s a lot to like from Philadelphia’s perspective.
37th pick: Wizards- Grant Riller
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The Wizards have to start thinking about developing quality back behind Wall, considering his injury history. They already choose Isaac Okoro with the ninth pick so targeting a point guard in the second round makes sense. Grant Riller isn’t a great playmaker but is a legit scoring threat and that’s ok to have in a backup point guard.
38th pick: Knicks- Elijah Hughes
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Elijah Hughes has drastically improved year over year at the collegiate level and is ready to showcase his game at the next level. In his three years in college, two at Syracuse and one at TCU, Hughes has yearly increased his points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, blocks, and steals. His 19 points per game led the ACC this past season and will be a welcome addition to the New York Knicks.
39th pick: Pelicans- Cassius Stanley
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Right now the Pelicans struggle with outside shooting. Stanley can drain the open 3-pointer. The Pelicans have insane athleticism, so does Stanley. He fills that backup guard spot behind Lonzo and Jrue perfectly.
40th pick: Grizzlies- Desmond Bane
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The Grizzlies have found success on draft night the past few years with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson, and Brandon Clarke. Memphis struggles with 3 point shooting, however. That’s where Bane comes in, he is a deadly 3-point shooter. Although he lacks athleticism Bane is a great help for the Grizzlies shooting troubles.
41st pick: Spurs- Udoka Azubuike
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Udoka Azubuike was an incredibly dominant player at Kansas and ended his senior season winning the Big 12 Player of the Year Award. His paint presence was something not seen in the college game in decades and was the main reason the Jayhawks were a favorite to win the 2020 NCAA Tournament, prior to its cancellation.
Azubuike’s interior focused style of play is becoming extinct in an NBA where big men have developed skills to stretch the floor. Yet, if any coach can help adapt his game, it is none other than Popovich of the Spurs.
42nd pick: Pelicans- Ashton Hagans
Plesco-
Other than Ball the Pelicans lack a true point guard. Hagans is exactly that. A true point guard and court general, Hagans has terrific decision making and passing. He’s a bit undersized and needs to add muscle. Hagans isn’t going to contribute right now. But the Pelicans also aren’t looking to win right now.
43rd pick: Kings- Jordan Nwora
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Jordan Nwora is a proven winner and a hard worker. During his freshman season at Louisville, Nwora averaged 5.7 points per game, but was committed to the improvement of his game and led the Cardinals in scoring last season with 18.0 points per. He can step out and shoot the three, slash to the rim, finish around the basket, and has the size to be a great defender in the NBA. As a mid-second round pick, Nwora has the potential to be an effective 3-and-D player for a long time.
44th pick: Blazers- Mason Jones
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Mason Jones was the SEC scoring champion last season averaging 22.0 points per game for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He can put the ball in the basket every way imaginable. He can create his own shot off the dribble, fill lanes on the fast break, slash to the rim and lay the ball up, and knock down the catch and shoot 3-pointers.
As the Blazers, I would draft Jones in hopes that he would develop into my main scoring threat off the bench as a sixth man. Portland has a good bench, but I believe Jones could develop into a player like Lou Williams, Jason Terry, or Eric Gordon.
45th pick: Magic- Cassius Winston
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Winston is a prototypical guard. He makes smart decisions and runs an efficient offense. Orlando needs a point guard. While he doesn’t have star potential Winston is a fighter and won’t stop. He has an incredible story and will create out a career for himself in the NBA.
46th pick: Celtics- Malachi Flynn
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Another point guard? I know this seems imprudent, but I am trying to think like Danny Ainge. In reality, the chances the Celtics keep all their draft picks in the upcoming draft is extremely unlikely. Ainge is constantly shopping picks and cap space in order to maintain leverage in trade talks and free agency.
However, if for some reason, the Celtics do make all their own picks this year, I expect they will not make sense to the general public. Malachi Flynn is an elusive guard with great court vision that pushes the pace of play and could be a dark horse in this year’s draft.
47th pick: Bulls- Robert Woodard
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Chicago adds even more perimeter depth in this draft after selecting Devin Vassell and they pick Robert Woodard with the 47th pick. Woodard has a solid frame at 6-foot-7 and 230 lbs. He can develop on the Bulls bench and could become a nice role player for them moving forward. He has potential as a 3-and-D player and is worth the 47th pick at this point.
48th pick: Warriors- Lamar Stevens
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I’ll be upfront with this one. Selecting Lamar Stevens here may be slightly biased because I recently graduated from Penn State, but I went for it anyway. Even though some bias is present, there is no denying Lamar’s skillset.
“Dotson is better than this draft slot would indicate and he’s the kind of high-octane scorer who could crack Philadelphia’s roster.”- Kline
He proved it time and time again carrying Penn State to what would have been their first NCAA tourney birth since 2011. He is a scorer, defender, and leader that almost never came off the floor. Stevens does it all and is ready to contribute at the professional level immediately. I believe he would be the perfect bench addition for a contending team looking for an instant impact player.
49th pick: 76ers- Devon Dotson
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The Sixers are loading up on guards in this draft. While not everyone will make the roster, the beauty of five second-round picks is the optionality behind them. You can trade ’em, sell ’em, or stash ’em. Dotson is better than this draft slot would indicate and he’s the kind of high-octane scorer who could crack Philadelphia’s roster.
50th pick: Pacers- Xavier Tillman Sr.
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Indiana goes with the best player available and stocks up at center. Tillman has the talent to step in and immediately back up Myles Turner. He’s a skilled rim-runner and a heady defender. While not the most exciting talent, Tillman can score efficiently, better his teammates, and play within a structured system. This is a great value pick.
51st pick: Thunder-Luka Garza
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Luka Garza has been noncommittal on his decision to enter the NBA draft or return to Iowa for his senior season. It is most likely based on where he feels he will be drafted, and I would imagine he would return to school if he felt he would fall to 51.
However, should he remain in the draft, any team in the second round would benefit greatly by drafting Garza. He was a Wooden Award Finalist this past year and won the Big Ten Player of the Year while averaging around 24 points and 10 rebounds per game.
52nd pick: Hawks- Corey Kispert
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The Hawks grab a special shooter in Kispert. In the second round, it helps to have a readily apparent NBA skill, and Kispert certainly does. He will need to round out his skill set, but the Hawks would be wise to surround Young, Hayes, and John Collins with as much shooting as possible.
53rd pick: Kings- Chris Smith
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The Kings are a team loaded with talented young big men, which is exactly the reason I have chosen to draft a group of talented combo guards. Chris Smith out of UCLA is the icing on the cake to an incredibly talented draft class. He is a shooter and scorer with a long frame and a patient athleticism. Smith makes smart decisions with the basketball and should continue developing into a nice 3-and-D player for Sacramento.
He was particularly lethal against the zone catching the ball at the high post and either pulling up for a mid-range jump shot or taking one dribble and driving to the rim. His high basketball IQ will likely accelerate his development as a player, making him ready to contribute as soon as his rookie season.
54th pick: Warriors- Payton Pritchard
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Payton Pritchard is T.J. McConnell with range. He was named PAC-12 player of the year last season, he’s capable of running an offense, spotting up for the 3-pointer, and getting into the lane. However, the reason I love Pritchard as a late second round steal is the tenacity that he brings to the game. He plays with an edge that is only comparable to Philadelphia’s favorite son. Pritchard’s impact will be felt through his effort and long-distance shot-making ability.
55th pick: Nets- Jared Butler
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Out of Baylor, Jared Butler was the leading scorer on arguably the best team in college basketball last season. If that guy falls to you this late in the draft, you must take him regardless of team need. Butler is a massive sleeper with skills in every area of the game.
He can pass, shoot, create his own shot, finish around the rim, and is especially exceptional at prodding the defense for weaknesses to exploit. Even though his scoring average, size, and athleticism don’t jump off the page, he flourished in matchups with college players that are going to be drafted in the first round and therefore deserves his chance in the NBA.
56th pick: Hornets- Skylar Mays
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Mays is one of the oldest players in the draft at 22-years-old. He’s an inconsistent shooter, but when he gets hot he can’t miss. Mays is undersized for the two-guard spot but makes you for that with his physicality and hustle. He scores the ball well but needs to improve on the defensive end of the court.
57th pick: Clippers- Paul Reed
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Reed is a first round talent. At 6-foot-9 he’s incredibly agile, athletic, and can defend at the rim. Reed is a decent scorer but he thrives on the defensive end. He has the potential to be the best defensive player in this draft class. Reed is an absolute steal at this point in the draft.
58th pick: Raptors- Kerry Blackshear Jr.
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At the tail end of the draft, it becomes less important about finding the player with the most talent and more about finding a player with a combination of character and talent. Kerry Blackshear Jr. out of Florida has that combination.
I’m picking Blackshear because of his tenacity on the court; he is not the most skilled player, but always gives 110 percent. He has seen steady improvement advancing through college with his best season coming as a Junior at Virginia Tech. From there Kerry transferred to Florida to continue working on his game and I believe he would make a great addition as an aspiring back-up center on the Raptors.
59th pick: 76ers- Isaiah Joe
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The Sixers finish an eventful second round in strong fashion. Joe is a deadeye shooter — he has a genuine argument for the best shooter on the board. He has lingering injury concerns, but someone with good size on the wing who can shoot with Joe’s blend of volume and efficiency is too good to pass up on this late.
60th pick: Pelicans- Mamadi Diakite
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Diakite is an athletic center who doesn’t do anything great but does everything well. He’s a capable defender who will hustle down everything. As a potential two-way player, he would be able to develop his offensive game. He’s a project but could turn into something.
That finishes out our first roundtable mock draft. Our next roundtable mock draft will drop after the draft order is determined at the Draft Lottery. What did you think of the Philadelphia 76ers draft haul in this mock draft? Drop your thoughts in the comment section below.