A fresh look at the 2020 NBA Draft class.
The 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled for October 16. For the first time since this pandemic began, there’s some normalcy — some certainty — around the pre-draft process. A date. We know — at least we think we know — when the whole shebang will happen.
Of course, every team is already months (or more accurately, years) into scouting these prospects. Teams can interview remotely and, at some point, players are bound to come in for individual workouts. The NBA seems to have the testing capacity, even if workouts are fewer and farther between than we’re used to. Safety remains paramount, but there’s a lot of money tied to the draft. Teams will want to have the fullest picture possible.
This year’s class is an enigma. There’s no Zion Williamson or Ben Simmons. No prospect who screams No. 1 pick, nor even a clear top-2 or top-3. Who goes first overall could come down to which team wins the lottery.
Naturally, we have conducted our own lottery simulation using Tankathon. The No. 1 pick goes to… the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This is not a big board. This is not who I believe each team should pick. It is a projection — a series of picks based on team needs, insight from other reporters, and general expectations. Of course, my personal opinion does factor in as well.
The Philadelphia 76ers currently possess the 22nd overall pick, but change is inevitable once the season resumes in Orlando. The Sixers own OKC’s first-round pick, which is top-20 protected. So fans have a vested interest in the Thunder’s Disney World success.
For prospect rankings and more analysis, you can read our latest big board.
The Cavs strike lottery gold and get the No. 1 pick. The favorite in this scenario in Anthony Edwards, who lived up to high expectations in his lone season at UGA. While probably not the best top pick in recent years, Edwards delivers another scoring punch to Cleveland’s guard-heavy rotation.
At 6-foot-5, Edwards is built like a tank. He’s an aggressive slasher who embraces contact at the rim, and he’s a crafty scorer who can create his own shot along the perimeter. Edwards has a tendency to fall into bad shots, but he can certainly make them. And with more grooming and a decreased burden to score, he could thrive as a bucket-getter on the wing.
Cleveland needs someone to play next to Darius Garland and Collin Sexton. While Edwards would round out a rather small triumvirate, the Cavs could survive with him at the three. Both Garland and Sexton are good shooters who can survive off-ball and allow Edwards room to work.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 3
Wheeeeew, boy. On paper, this is a mess defensively. The Wolves already have two stars compromised on the defensive end in Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, both of whom are in it for the long haul. LaMelo Ball’s track record of “trying” on defense is not a great one.
And yet, this feels like a natural fit. Russell was a great off-ball scorer at Ohio State, and while the Golden State experiment didn’t work out, he’s still someone who can thrive next to another playmaker. Ball isn’t a traditional lead guard, and at 6-foot-7, he has plenty of size to defend two-guards. He also has the physical tools and intelligence to develop into a good defender down the road, assuming he wants to.
Ball is a whip-smart decision-maker who flings the ball over the court with unsurpassed ease. He sees every angle and is the most inventive passer to enter the league since his brother. He will help make things easier for Towns and Russell, while also providing real star-power to the Wolves’ rebuild. He’s the top prospect on my board, and even if the defense is a concern, he’s tough to pass up.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 1
The Warriors are shallow at the center spot, in that the center spot is the only position not set in stone for next season. Golden State has the chance to add young firepower next to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green. Wiseman is absolutely the favorite here.
Some expect Wiseman to go No. 1, but this one of the rare draft classes without a clear-cut top prospect. The Cavs just invested in Andre Drummond and presumably want to keep it going. The Wolves have KAT. The Warriors get a hulking 7-footer who can score efficiently at the rim and, with proper development, become a formidable rim protector.
Wiseman has a lot of room left to grow, and he only played three games at Memphis, so his exposure beyond high school is limited. Even so, his physical tools are impossible to ignore, and he has a fairly impressive bag of offensive skills. He needs more development, but what better place to develop than Golden State, where he needn’t press himself and where his workload is both small and manageable.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 12
The Knicks need a point guard of the future, and while Deni Avdija isn’t a point guard, he could help fill the void. At 6-foot-8, Avdija is a uniquely gifted playmaker out of Israel. He uses his size to his advantage, peering over defenders and making advanced reads. He can run the pick-and-roll, initiate sets, and push the tempo in transition.
The biggest concern for Avdija is his shooting. He has struggled from the free-throw line his entire career, so despite recent improvements from beyond the arc, some still question the sustainability of his success. But if you buy the shooting — as I do, since his mechanics are clean — then he’s probably a top-five prospect.
As a secondary playmaker, Avdija could provide some finesse to New York’s stagnant offense. He’s a willing ball-mover and a smart player — someone who can help involve more scoring-minded players like R.J. Barrett and Kevin Knox. The Knicks have swung on big-name European prospects in the (recent) past, and Avdija could mark another hit.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 4
A local product who has been linked to Atlanta on several occasions, Isaac Okoro is a natural fit here. He’s one of the best defenders on the board, and the Hawks desperately need to build a defensive identity. Okoro, Clint Capela, and Cam Reddish is a good starting point.
Beyond his defense, Okoro is a generally impressive athlete on the wing. He has tremendous hops at 6-foot-6, he has long arms, and he’s on the younger end of the spectrum, which means more time to develop. He does all the little things offensively, he doesn’t command the basketball a ton, and his motor runs hot. There’s a lot to like from Atlanta’s perspective.
Where Okoro falls short is his shooting. He’s not much of a 3-point threat, which could compromise his effectiveness on offense. Even if he’s a great cutter who smartly moves the ball, defenses are likely to sag off and make him work for points. The Hawks can hopefully offset that in the form of Trae Young, but it’s something Okoro will need to work on.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 8
The Pistons are in full rebuild mode, minus the aging Blake Griffin, who will probably stick around because no one wants his contract. Removing Griffin from the equation, the Pistons will probably seek the best player available. Most consider Toppin a top-five pick, so in this instance, he’s the likely candidate.
Toppin won college basketball’s top honor this season while leading Dayton to national prominence — no small feat. He’s a do-it-all forward on offense, with great vertical athleticism at the rim and a bevy of skills on the perimeter. He can face-up, post-up, rim run — he will find ways to contribute to the cause.
The issues for Toppin lie on defense, where his vertical athleticism doesn’t quite translate. He’s slow-footed laterally, and therefore struggles to defend in space. He has a high center of gravity, hasn’t really proven he can defend bigs, and may find himself lost positionally. Even so, he’s too accomplished and too talented to ignore. He’s someone Detroit can maybe build a team around.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 11
The Bulls are both on the precipice of contention and painfully far from figuring it out — whatever it is. They’re stuck in a weird bad-but-not-super-bad purgatory. They have a ton of promising young talent, Zach LaVine is a bonafide lead scorer, and it just hasn’t mattered up to this point. Maybe change the coach.
Alas, Devin Vassell is someone who can contribute to the cause — someone who can aid the Bulls’ pursuit of something greater. He’s one of the top defensive wings on the board and he can bury 3-pointers at a high clip. If nothing else, his value as a 3-and-D wing is bankable.
Chicago’s biggest area of need is defense. Vassell is a long and rangy defender who can make plays, create turnovers, and help sure up that end of the floor. He fits snuggly into the rotation at the three, and he’s someone the Bulls can depend on beyond Otto Porter. This is great value.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 6
The Hornets have a ton of guards, a ton of forwards, and a glaring hole at center. Cody Zeller won’t last forever. Enter Onyeka Okongwu, the best big man on the board (in my humble opinion), and one of the biggest risers in this year’s draft class.
A relative upon coming into the season, Okongwu became one of the most productive centers in college basketball as a freshman. He doesn’t have the broadest repertoire, but he’s an elite rim-runner who scores efficiently inside despite his somewhat slight stature at 6-foot-9. He’s an elite vertical athlete who can convert lobs in exhilarating fashion. He’s fun to watch.
Though a bit undersized for the center position, Okongwu’s athleticism, mobility, and strength should help him survive. He’s listed at 245 pounds, he stays vertical at the rim, and he can comfortably switch on the perimeter — an attribute that continues to increase in importance each season. He’s a big who can survive in the playoffs, and one who can help sure up a wobbly Hornets D.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 9
The Wizards will either be gunning for the playoffs next season or back in basketball no-mans land, and it all depends on the health of John Wall. If he’s even 70 percent of his former self, the Wizards have enough offense to compete for one of the East’s eight playoff spots.
Regardless of Washington’s path, the current iteration of the roster is unsustainable. Wall is as unreliable as the narration in Shutter Island, Bradley Beal seems destined to ask for a trade, and there’s no discernible future in which this version of the roster transforms into a contender. Therefore Tyrese Haliburton, despite being another guard, makes a lot of sense.
At 6-foot-5, Haliburton has tremendous size and length on the perimeter. He’s also one of the smartest players on the board — the kind of playmaker who avoids turnovers and doesn’t stick with the ball too long. He can contribute to a fruitless playoff run, or he can helm a rebuild. Get you someone who can do both, Washington.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 7
The Suns finally get their point guard — and man oh man, this one’s a steal. Killian Hayes is the No. 2 prospect on my board, and he fits too cleanly in the mold of other star guards around the NBA to ignore. He’s a skillful passer, a lightning-bolt scorer, and a sturdy athlete at 6-foot-5.
Phoenix has long needed another creator to help Devin Booker should the load. Hayes is a crafty pick-and-roll guard who can effectively spray passes all over the court. His vision is special, and he pairs with crafty handles and a knack for pull-up shooting.
While Hayes doesn’t contribute much as a spot-up shooter — his mechanics are admittedly unorthodox — he has no trouble shooting off the dribble, which is promising. He has a divine lefty step-back in his arsenal, and he’s equally adept at driving the lane and finishing in traffic. He’s a major get this late in the lottery.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 2
The Spurs are on track to miss the postseason for the first time in eons. As the shining star of Gregg Popovich fades, the future of DeMar DeRozan hangs in the balance, and the prime years of LaMarcus Aldridge drift gently into the past, it’s time for San Antonio to angle for a rebuild.
Precious Achiuwa addresses the potential need for frontcourt reinforcements once the Aldridge days are over. The Spurs have other talent up front — Jakob Poeltl most notably — but Achiuwa is a top shelf athlete who presents more upside on paper.
There’s a lot Achiuwa must prove at the next level. He’s certainly athletic, and should emerge as a rangy, multi-positional defender because of it, but he’s also raw. Luckily San Antonio has one of the best developmental records in recent history. This is as good a spot as any for him.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 24
The uncertain future of Bogdan Bogdanovic could lead Sacramento to target more depth in the backcourt. Tyrese Maxey is a savvy choice — a hard-nosed winner who hails from the same alma mater as team leader De’Aaron Fox.
Maxey’s freshman campaign was a bumpy ride, but he’s still a talented shot-maker and a capable secondary creator on the perimeter. At 6-foot-3, he’s on the shorter end of the spectrum for two-guards, but he defends the point of attack well and is never short on hustle. He’s not an elite athlete, but he’s crafty and possesses a wealth of touch inside the arc.
Shooting is a swing skill for Maxey — he hit roughly 29 percent of his 3-pointers this season — but his success in high school, coupled with his comfort scoring inside the arc, bode well. I’m a believer in his jump shot, and the intangibles are hard to pass up — especially for a Kings organization high on culture-setters.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 10
The Pelicans’ main focus for the foreseeable future is building around Zion Williamson. The most effective manner of doing so is littering the roster with shooters. Aaron Nesmith might be the best shooter on the board, even if his recent injury history is a concern.
Nesmith hit over 50 percent of his triples this season before succumbing to a foot injury. He will need to provide a clean bill of health to prospective employers, but assuming there are no long-term worries, he should have a spot in the lottery discussion. He thrives as an off-movement shooter. The kind who could learn a lot from J.J. Redick.
He may not provide a ton on defense, or even elsewhere on offense, but Nesmith is the kind of gifted shooter who always has a spot in the league. He would fit seamlessly in the New Orleans’ second unit — another on-the-move sharpshooter to create havoc, off of which Zion can feast.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 13
The Blazers are in a tricky spot. Not in position to compete, yet too immediately talented to opt for a rebuild. Until something forces the needle one way or the other — such as a Damian Lillard trade request — Portland will remain on the fringe of Western Conference contention.
That in mind, Patrick Williams makes a lot of sense. The Blazers have some holes on the wing — holes Rodney Hood cannot adequately fill long-term. Williams is a talented scorer who has earned comparisons to Danilo Gallinari for his craft and creativity. He’s a smooth finisher at the rim, a capable pull-up shooter, and a fairly smart all-around player.
Williams does a lot of little things well. He can screen and roll, he passes unselfishly, and in time, he should improve as a long-distance shooter. On defense, he’s built like a semi truck and plays hard. He doesn’t have a ton of vertical pop, but the tools are impressive still.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 17
This is a long fall for Cole Anthony, who ranks top five on my board. He entered the season as a hot topic in the No. 1 conversation, but quickly faded due to injuries and inconsistency. His shooting percentages were not great at UNC, but Anthony’s quick-twitch athleticism, scoring upside, and pedigree leave a lot to like.
The Magic technically have a “point guard of the future” in Markelle Fultz. But there’s still real concern over Fultz’s jumper, and if it doesn’t develop further, his ceiling is capped. It couldn’t hurt to add some insurance. Plus, Fultz is long and athletic enough to defend two-guards. He could easily pair with Anthony, who’s a good enough shooter to play off-ball.
Anthony needs to develop the playmaking side of his game more. He’s electric as a pull-up shooter, but he’s not the passer some of his counterparts in this class are. Another reason to like the Fultz pairing. Anthony can also defend well when he’s engaged, and despite his small stature, he’s built strong. This is a steal for Orlando.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 5
The hypothetical core of Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and LaMelo Ball is a ghastly trio on defense. The Wolves can ignore defense when the most star-powered prospect is available. They cannot ignore defense a second time. Saddiq Bey is the proper response at 16.
Bey is a sturdy defender on the wing at 6-foot-8, bringing both size and versatility to Minnesota’s rotation. While not a particularly impressive athlete, Bey’s sense of timing and positioning is impeccable. He’s a high-I.Q. defender, and someone the Wolves could instantly rely on.
He was also among the best spot-up shooters in basketball last season. Bey can put the ball on the floor and attack closeouts as necessary, but he’s at his best off-ball. That’s important when you consider the high-usage creators already on the roster. 3-and-D wings in Bey’s vein are always a bonus.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 18
R.J. Hampton managed to carve out a consistent role in Australia’s professional ranks, but his season was cut short by injury. He was also terribly inconsistent — not unexpected for a teenager in a man’s league, but still a red flag that could sink his draft stock. Hampton was universally top-10 before the season.
The Celtics pounce on the upside. Hampton has tremendous physical tools at 6-foot-5, and projects as a capable combo-guard, if not a full-fledged point guard. The Celtics need another playmaker to develop behind Kemba Walker, and Hampton in a viable option in light of Carsen Edwards’ brutal rookie season.
Hampton played inefficient basketball this season, and concerns about his shooting percentages will translate to the NBA. He’s a slippery ball-handler who can dart inside, pressure the rim, and create his own looks. But how efficiently he hits those looks — plus how far he comes along as a playmaker — will determine his success at the next level.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 19
The Mavericks could use another offensive threat to pair next to Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis — someone to develop into a third wheel once Tim Hardaway Jr. inevitably departs or declines. While I’m not the biggest fan of Jaden McDaniels, he’s a unique prospect who has captured the imaginations of plenty.
At 6-foot-10, McDaniels is a long and gifted scorer on the perimeter. He can comfortably shoot over the top of most defenders, and he’s a smooth ball-handler who can run pick-and-rolls or create in isolation. He’s also skinny, which meant premature (and inevitably ridiculous) Kevin Durant comparisons in high school.
Once billed as a top-10 prospect, McDaniels bombed as a freshman. He was wildly inconsistent, both in terms of effort and production, in his one season at Washington. Even so, he’s still expected to go in this range, and Dallas could buy into the upside of another jumbo-sized scorer.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 33
The Bucks have a pretty simple path to success: give Giannis Antetokounmpo has many shooters as possible, and let him wreak havoc on the interior. This makes Tyrell Terry an easy choice — even if this is a bit higher than most mocks seem to have Terry at this stage in the pre-draft process.
Terry puts a lot of stress on the nylon. He has a lightning-quick release and can pull up from just about any angle. He’s a persistent 3-point threat, whether it’s off-movement, spotting up, or out of the pick-and-roll. He can terrorize the nets at a high volume, and the Bucks need volume 3-point shooters. That alone makes this a nice pairing.
While there are concerns about Terry’s size — he’s 6-foot-1, 160 pounds — the Bucks have the personnel to hide him on defense and to place him on offense. Eric Bledsoe can comfortably defend two-guards, Terry has the point guard skills to survive, and there are few defensive backstops better than the Giannis-Brook Lopez duo.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 16
The Nets could use some help in the frontcourt — specifically at power forward — but the board doesn’t fall in a favorable way. Even so, there’s always value in a strong 3-and-D wing, which Josh Green certainly provides. He has the tools and feel to contribute right away.
At 6-foot-6, Green is one of the best athletes on the board. He’s vertically explosive, laterally quick, and his 210-pound frame has plenty of room to fill out. He should comfortably defend multiple positions at the next level, and he’s sneakily effective as a weak-side shot blocker. The Nets could use the pick-me-up on defense.
Green still poses some unanswered questions on the offensive end — his 3-point stroke is a big swing skill — but his unselfishness and feel for the game are fairly advanced. He’s a dynamite cutter, an explosive finisher at the rim, and he’s a handful in transition. If his spot-up jumper pans out, which most believe it will, he should have no issue carving out a role in the NBA.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 20
The Nuggets have fewer “needs” than most teams. The roster is fairly stacked — so much so the concern is trading players ahead of extension dates, not bringing more youth onto the roster. This pick could go any number of directions as a result. Robert Woodard makes sense, if only to satiate the NBA’s burning desire for two-way wings.
Woodard has risen up draft boards all season. He too is an explosive athlete who, at 6-foot-7, possesses an admirable blend of physical tools. He is still a limited player on offense, and his success as a 3-point shooter remains small in sample size, but he hustles and plays unselfish basketball. The Nuggets can work with a raw athlete who plays unselfishly.
On defense, Woodard should defend NBA wings without issue. He rotates well, understands his place in the defense, and has the strength to handle stronger players on switches and in the post. He doesn’t have a ton of lateral quickness for 6-foot-7, but his vertical explosiveness presents intrigue in other areas of the floor.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 31
The Sixers add a former top-10 recruit and fill a hole at the point guard spot. Nico Mannion obviously won’t start — Ben Simmons is the “point guard” of the future — but the Sixers need someone to come off the bench, initiate halfcourt sets, and potentially add variety to the offense. Mannion is a viable option.
There are significant concerns about Mannion’s ability to hold up athletically at the next level, but skill-wise he’s got more than enough to work with. He’s a good 3-point shooter, a crafty finisher, and one of the smartest passers on the board. Mannion can certainly play next to Simmons as a secondary creator who spaces the floor, runs DHOs, and moves the ball.
Mannion isn’t short on defensive effort, but at 6-foot-3, he’s frankly not a good athlete by NBA standards. His short wingspan — also 6-foot-3 — doesn’t help. Those athletic concerns permeate to the offensive side of the floor, as many question whether he has the burst to consistently get dribble penetration against NBA defenses. He struggles to finish over length as well.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 25
The fastest end-to-end player on the board — maybe. One of the most well-rounded point guards in college basketball — certainly. There’s a lot to like about Kira Lewis Jr., who quietly broke out as a sophomore at Alabama. The Heat like plus athletes who happen to have high characters. Lewis fits the bill.
The future of Goran Dragic hangs in limbo, and while there’s a lot to like about Kendrick Nunn, Lewis is more of a point guard in the traditional sense. He can operate as the lead ball-handler, create out of the pick-and-roll, and comfortably lead the offense when Jimmy Butler sits.
Lewis is a quick-twitch athlete who has no problem bursting inside and getting to the rim. He’s equally thrilling in transition. He was also an above-average 3-point shooter this season, and his feel for the game deserves more credit. This is a tremendous value pick for Miami.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 15
Utah whiffed on the Mike Conley trade and need to focus on long-term options at point guard. Theo Maledon would have the luxury of playing behind Conley for a season with a long-term focus of potentially becoming the Jazz’s starting point guard. It’s not a bad situation.
Maledon isn’t the most explosive athlete, but the Jazz have plenty of explosiveness in the form of Donovan Mitchell. Maledon is a good 3-point shooter, a slippery playmaker in the pick-and-roll, and a potentially versatile defender on the perimeter. 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Maledon’s frame is as good as it gets at point guard.
The Jazz already have plenty of length on the roster, so Maledon adds another layer to the cake. His intelligence, his pedigree — he’s trained under Tony Parker in France — and his shooting touch all bode well for what Utah needs. Plus the Gobert-French connection is a bonus.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 23
This is a slight departure from the norm for OKC, a franchise typically focused on untapped potential. While Ramsey certainly has untapped potential, he’s a much more polished scorer than the Thunder are used to. He can already get his own shot on the perimeter, which could help OKC sooner or later once Chris Paul departs (or declines).
There are some who question Ramsey’s value beyond scoring — he’s not a developed playmaker, and he doesn’t add much on defense — but his scoring versatility alone should generate intrigue. He can isolate on the perimeter, shoot 3s on the move, or create opportunities in transition. If the playmaking improves, he has serious upside beyond his draft position.
At 6-foot-4, Ramsey is a fairly stocky 195 pounds. He has room to add muscle and should have some versatility on the wing. He’s not terribly long — his wingspan is 6-foot-6 — but if the effort is there, expect Ramsey to provide more than enough to get by. The OKC tend to play with a collective chip on their shoulders. It’s a good environment for Ramsey.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 27
The Celtics have three first-round picks and an abundance of youth on the roster, and therefore can take a draft-and-stash swing. There aren’t many stashes more intriguing than Aleksej Pokusevski, who has all the hallmarks of a modern NBA center than then some.
A true 7-footer, Pokusevski is one of the most skilled offensive players on the board. His 3-point stroke is silky-smooth. He moves akin to a wing, he can shoot comfortably on the move, and he’s not shy of the occasional pull-up jumper. His handles are fairly tight, his touch at the rim is sublime, and he passes better than most players his size — especially on the move.
There are serious concerns about Pokusevski’s frame. He’s ultra-thin and may never have the girth to handle NBA physicality. If he can get there, however, his blend of skill and athleticism in the frontcourt is enough to land most prospects in the lottery. The Celtics can take this swing — and absolutely should.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 14
The Knicks need a center to split the workload with Mitchell Robinson, who remains more of a situational star than a finely-tuned starting center. Isaiah Stewart has a sterling reputation and produced admirably in his lone season at Washington. The numbers alone should keep Stewart glued to the first round conversation.
While some would label Stewart as a “throwback” big — I’ve done it myself — he’s not just a throwback big. Sure, he’s a muscular post scorer who’s comfortable throwing his weight around. Sure, he may not defend in space as well as NBA teams would like. But he’s also an improving jump shooter who runs the floor hard. He can get up and down.
Stewart is an efficient scorer at the rim, a hard-nosed rebounder, and a man well-versed in the art of shot blocking. He’s not explosive, and Stewart isn’t the tallest center at 6-foot-9, but his bulk, effort, and length are often enough. He should carve out a nice role as New York’s backup center.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 35
The Raptors have always targeted players who still need a degree of calibration. Who have the tools, but are incomplete. Leandro Bolmaro is an intriguing iteration of that oft-recycled equation — immensely skilled, yet critically flawed. He has all the hallmarks of a jumbo-sized NBA playmaker, but his lack of a reliable jumper is a significant roadblock to success.
Bolmaro is a dynamic passer at 6-foot-7. He can peer over defenders, operate in the screen-and-roll, and use either hand to locate open teammates. His ambitions can sometimes overtake his instincts — a negative assist-to-turnover ratio is never great — but Bolmaro’s passing skills are a major draw. In the right system, under the right development team, he should develop into a fine playmaker.
On defense, Bolmaro moves his feet well and can defend multiple positions. The Raptors have a void on the wing in Kawhi Leonard’s absence, and while OG Anunoby is a capable replacement, more depth is never a problem. If Bolmaro can complement his size and skill with a better 3-point stroke, he’ll outperform this draft slot. He may end up as a draft-and-stash pick, which Toronto can afford.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 22
The Lakers have received middling production from Rajon Rondo, Quinn Cooks, and the like this season. And while LeBron James is more than capable of playing the de facto point guard, it’s important for L.A. to pursue other playmakers, if mostly for the minutes LeBron doesn’t play. Cassius Winston checks every box for the Lakers.
A four-year standout at Michigan State, Winston was one of the best players in college basketball this season. He’s a money 3-point shooter — both off the catch and off the dribble — and he’s a largely mistake-free ball-handler. He can run the pick-and-roll with precision, and he should have little issue sharing the court with someone of LeBron’s ilk. Few do.
On defense, Winston makes up for a slight 6-foot-1 frame with a 6-foot-5 wingspan and plenty of attitude. He goes hard, he plays above his height, and he dogs opponents at the point of attack. As far as projectable role players go, Winston is the ideal late first-round pick.
BIG BOARD RANKING: 28
The Celtics need help in the frontcourt, and while Pokusevski is an exciting prospect only a few spots earlier, he’s not ready for NBA basketball in year one. Xavier Tillman is, and he’s someone who could help phase Enes Kanter out of Boston’s short (and long)-term plans.
Tillman is a solid all-around big. He does the little things to contribute to winning. He’s a forceful finisher at the rim, he’s an unselfish passer, and he sets solid screens along the perimeter. His 3-point shot is still unproven, but it’s there. It’s something he can improve upon in time. On defense, Tillman lacks size at 6-foot-8, but he’s highly intelligent. He anchored Michigan State’s defense all season.
Boston gets a sturdy upperclassman at a position of need. The Celtics have complained about excessive youth on the roster this season. Tillman is the kind of prospect who plays above his age. He’s a wise and hardened player, and he should have little issue learning the ropes at the next level.