Fresh projections for the 2020 NBA Draft following last week’s lottery.
The 2020 NBA Draft order is set following last Thursday’s lottery. The Minnesota Timberwolves will pick first, followed in order by the Golden State Warriors, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Chicago Bulls. The Philadelphia 76ers lucked into the No. 21 pick, the best possible outcome for OKC’s top-20 protected first.
Unlike recent years, the 2020 draft doesn’t boast a clear top pick — or even a clear top two or three picks. Any number of future timelines could play out, with Golden State liable to trade the second pick, and Minnesota possibly looking at three different options in the first slot. It’s both exciting and frustrating.
There’s no Zion Williamson or *ahem* Luka Doncic. No one who stands head and shoulder above the crowd. And, as far as depth goes, this year’s rookie crop more than makes up for the lack of immediate star power up top. There’s a lot of talent, even into the 30s and 40s.
This, of course, is a mock draft. The following picks are projections based on a variety of factors. Team fit, media buzz, and stats all factor into the equation. These are not, however, the picks I would make if placed in the GM chair and asked to make a selection today. If you want to read my most recent big board, you can find it here.
The Timberwolves struck lottery gold and will pick No. 1 overall. The options here are more fluid than normal — a few different players could appeal to Minnesota. In the end, Anthony Edwards gets the nod. He’s an explosive, strong-bodied guard who can flank D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns on the wing.
Edwards has a lot to prove. Many have questioned his ability to impact winning. He doesn’t always try on defense, and his shot selection at UGA was often subpar. Part of that, of course, is tied to the Bulldogs’ lack of perimeter talent, which meant Edwards was force-fed as many opportunities as he liked.
Minnesota has plenty of offense, and ideally a tertiary scoring role would benefit Edwards early on. He would get to reshape his shot profile and learn how to play off of Towns and Russell. The defense is a concern, but Edwards is a top-tier athlete who has plenty of room to improve as a two-way talent. It’s a matter of effort, not ability.
The Warriors may trade this pick in pursuit of a championship. If it stays in Oakland, however, the early favorite is probably James Wiseman. While his career at Memphis was cut short, Wiseman’s reputation as a prospect has been long established. Golden State’s only glaring “need” is center.
Wiseman gives Golden State a dominant interior scorer who should play effortlessly off of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Wiseman hasn’t consistently hit 3s yet, but his frame, touch, and demeanor should translate to plenty of easy points in the paint. There’s not a better system in basketball to develop athletic centers.
On defense, the 7-foot-1 Wiseman projects as a towering rim protector. His instincts and consistency have been maligned in the past, but his physical tools are in line with the NBA’s most formidable centers. His upside as a shot-blocker and defensive anchor is impossible to ignore.
The Hornets feel like such a strange landing spot for LaMelo Ball, whose status and starpower seem to transcend a market like Charlotte. Alas, this is a very possible outcome — and maybe even the ideal outcome for Ball.
While Charlotte has money and assets invested at the point guard spot, the 6-foot-7 Ball is big enough to play next to someone like Devonte’ Graham or Terry Rozier. Ball is a sharp, high-octane playmaker who will elevate everyone around him. The Hornets are built to run the floor and play up-tempo basketball. Graham is a dynamic shooter who should have no trouble spending time off-ball.
Also positive is the Hornets’ culture. Charlotte competes hard, and Ball’s level of engagement has been an area of concern since before high school. If there’s a good rebuilding situation to mine the most out of his talents, the Hornets may be it.
It seems increasingly likely that Deni Avidija will be a top-five pick in October. He finished the season on a high note in Israel, and his skill set merits great intrigue in a draft class marred by uncertainty. The Bulls could use a ready-made contributor as the new front office looks to contend.
At 6-foot-8, Avdija is far from a “point guard.” He is, however, a jumbo-sized playmaker — someone who can run the pick-and-roll, push the ball up court, and create for others at a high level. The Bulls could use another playmaking vehicle, as both Zach LaVine and Coby White are best suited to score-first roles.
Avdija will need to prove he’s a consistent 3-point shooter, but his late-season shooting flourish should put some teams at ease. Also, when you factor in his touch around the basket and the generally skilled nature of his game, it’s easy to project long-term growth as a shooter. His mechanics look perfectly fine.
The Cavaliers are too far from contention to worry about defense, frankly. Obi Toppin is a mess of a defensive player, but his offensive talents are impossible to deny. Cleveland has already invested in two subpar defenders in recent drafts — Collin Sexton and Darius Garland — but Toppin is unlikely to fall much further than this spot.
At 6-foot-10, Toppin combines great size and vertical athleticism with a wide-ranging skill set. He can space the floor, face-up and attack mismatches off the dribble, or he can play a more traditional rim-running role. He’s an explosive finisher at the rim, a highly underrated passer, and the kind of do-it-all forward who should mesh nicely with Cleveland’s young core.
Again, defense is a valid concern. While Toppin is very explosive at the rim, he struggles with lateral quickness. He cannot defend in space, and many are concerned he’s stuck between positions on defense. If he can’t move his feet against threes, yet struggles to hang with the physicality of fours, it could present problems. Alas, Cleveland swings for the perceived “best player available” and punts another season.
The Hawks are set offensively. Trae Young is a playmaking dynamo, and John Collins can fill it up for 20+ any given night. The next step in Atlanta’s progression is defense. Isaac Okoro strengthens an increasingly solid two-way backbone for a Hawks team on the verge of playoff contention.
As one of the youngest players in college basketball last season, Okoro was also one of its best defenders. He excels on the ball, he can potentially defend up to four positions, and his instincts are advanced well beyond his years. He makes crisp rotations, he creates turnovers, and he’s arguably Atlanta’s best isolation defender on day one. Add Clint Capela in the middle, and flank him with Cam Reddish on the wing, and the Hawks’ defense is no longer a total charade.
On offense, Okoro will need to improve his jump shot in order to contribute on a regular basis. Even so, he’s a smart, physical slasher who moves the ball, sets screens, and understands his role. The Hawks don’t need someone to dominate the basketball, which makes this as good a fit as any for Okoro.
The Pistons are a blank slate and could go any number of directions here. The only real assets of value are Luke Kennard and Christian Wood, assuming the latter re-signs. Neither should prevent Detroit from taking someone like Onyeka Okongwu, arguably the top big man in this year’s class.
Okongwu lacks a degree of size at 6-foot-9, but he’s a tantalizing athlete who presents major upside on both sides of the ball. He’s a smart, fundamentally-sound rim protector who can defend in space and survive switches. On the other end, he was one of the most efficient finishers in college basketball. Once he gets to the rim, he seldom misses.
While not the most exciting prospect, Okongwu occupies the role of most successful modern-day bigs. He doesn’t need the ball to succeed, and he can potentially anchor a versatile defensive scheme. Put him next to shooters and a solid pick-and-roll guard, and Detroit should reap the benefits.
The Knicks take the smart route and add a player who projects as a sturdy contributor in year one. New York’s point guard situation has been a point of contention for years, and Haliburton may finally provide a solution. With a tremendous blend of efficiency and defensive upside, he’s someone Tom Thibodeau — ever the rookie-hater — could grow to like.
Haliburton is listed at 6-foot-7. He’s a long, rangy athlete — even if he’s not particularly explosive. He makes good use of it on defense, whether it’s walling off the lead ball-handler or snaking into passing lanes. On offense, Haliburton can use his size to finish around length or pass over defenders.
Seldom does Haliburton commit turnovers or look rushed. He’s very in control, and plays with an excellent sense of pace. He lacks a mechanically viable pull-up jumper — a big red flag — but his efficient spot-up shooting and soft touch are positive indicators. If he can overall his mechanics, improvement is no unfeasible. He pairs nicely a downhill scorer like R.J. Barrett.
The Wizards have some depth in the frontcourt already, but many consider Precious Achiuwa’s upside worthy of a top-10 pick. He’s the kind of mobile, freight-train athlete who could pair effectively next to Thomas Bryant or Moritz Wagner — both of whom stretch the floor.
In fact, Washington’s abundance of shooting should benefit Achiuwa, whose impact is mostly made in the painted area. Achiuwa is a formidable downhill athlete who can simply overpower smaller defenders. He will need to develop his touch and skill package, but the raw strength and athleticism at 6-foot-9 is impossible to ignore.
Washington will run, and Achiuwa fits best in an up-tempo system that will put him in the open court. On defense, he has immense potential as a weak-side rim protector. He can also move his feet on the perimeter. He’s not the most fundamentally sound defender at this stage in his development, but his potential is something to bank on.
Ricky Rubio has provided a necessary lift for the Suns at point guard, but he’s not the long-term answer next to Devin Booker. Killian Hayes is perhaps the most underrated prospect in this class, and someone who should have no trouble acquiescing to the speed and athleticism of NBA basketball.
At 6-foot-5, Hayes was tremendous physical tools for a point guard. He’s one of the best playmakers in the draft — one who is at his best picking apart halfcourt defenses. While LaMelo is a transition maestro, Hayes is the vein of more traditional star guards. A crafty, high-I.Q. playmaker who poses a dynamic threat out of the pick-and-roll.
In addition to his passing chops, Hayes is a gifted isolation scorer who already has a silky left-handed step-back in his arsenal. He would do well to improve off the ball, especially next to Booker, but Phoenix is wise to add their point guard of the future here.
Recent buzz places Patrick Williams firmly in the lottery discussion. He’s one of the more gifted offensive wings in this draft. The Spurs, on the precipice of the franchise’s first rebuild in over two decades, would be wise to bet on someone with Williams’ upside.
A burly 6-foot-8 forward with the thighs of a body-builder and the fluid scoring touch of Danilo Gallinari, Williams showed flashes of immense talent at FSU. He was far from perfect — his decision-making has a long way to go — but he’s a tough shot-maker, a strong finisher, and a competent all-around contributor on offense.
At his best, Williams is a reliable go-to scorer who can get to his spots and glide into pull-up jumpers. At worse, he’s a turnover machine with some fundamental issues on defense. San Antonio has as good a player development record as any team in basketball. This is a good home for Williams.
With Buddy Hield’s future in question (despite a contract extension, because Kangz), Sacramento tackles a potential shortage of wing depth. They also replace Hield’s flame-throwing presence with another bonafide sharpshooter who, to some, is the top 3-point threat in this year’s draft.
Aaron Nesmith missed almost his entire season to a leg injury. He will need to provide NBA teams with a clean bill of health. He will also need to prove he’s more than a 3-point shooter. Even so, he’s a marksman of the highest order, and in the modern NBA, there are few immediately translatable skills more valuable than shooting.
Whether it’s on the move or standing still, Nesmith can bury shots from well past NBA range. He doesn’t have Hield’s same propensity for isolation scoring, but that may benefit the Kings to some degree. He’s a cheap high-level shooter who pairs easily next to De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley. If Hield stays, that’s one heck of a floor-stretching tandem.
Brandon Ingram enters restricted free agency this summer, so the Pelicans opt for more wing depth in the form of Devin Vassell. One of this season’s biggest risers, Devin Vassell went from a sophomore afterthought to a lottery talent. He’s one of the premier 3-and-D wings in this class.
At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Vassell makes a lot happen on the defensive end. He’s an active on-ball defender who can use his length to bottle up the point of attack. He’s also consistently engaged off the ball, slithering into passing lanes and generating turnovers. Expect numbers in the steal and block categories from day one.
On offense, Vassell has proven himself a reliable spot-up shooter from 3. His ceiling is tied to more development as an on-ball scorer, but he can beat closeouts with the standard one or two dribble pull-up. He’s thin and lacks elite athleticism, but efficient two-way wings who can shoot will typically find a place in the league.
Tyrese Maxey wasn’t particularly impressive in his lone season at Kentucky, but he’s firmly in the lottery discussion — and someone who feels like the quintessential Celtics player. This is tremendous value for a Boston team in need of depth behind Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart on the perimeter.
At 6-foot-3, Maxey is a smidge undersized for a natural two. Even so, he has a strong frame and a 6-foot-6 wingspan at his disposal. Maxey carries himself with a great deal of confidence, and his defensive intensity is special. He leaves it all on the floor and does great work at the point of attack. Not to mention, he’s another capable playmaker and spot-up shooter to help fill gaps in the second unit.
He’s not a point guard, but the Celtics don’t need Maxey to be a point guard. If he can play 20-25 minutes a night, get buckets as a slasher, make the right passes, and defend his tail off, the Celtics will be pleased. He’s joining a cohesive, ready-for-contention group.
Though he’s not short on flaws, Markelle Fultz has established himself as Orlando’s point guard of the future. Even without a reliable 3-point stroke, Fultz is too talented in every other respect not to carve out a role long-term. With that said, the Magic have a roster saturated with forwards, and it’s time to balance to scales a bit. Cole Anthony fits in the backcourt.
To me, Anthony is a top-five prospect — and easily the best possible outcome for Orlando in this spot. He can play next to or behind Fultz, with a compact 3-point stroke, plenty of shot diversity, and a generally positive instinct for putting the basketball in the basket. He has historically done most of his work on-ball, but it’s not hard to envision Anthony running around screens and hitting off-movement shots with the proper buy-in.
Concerns for Anthony revolve around his efficiency, which was not great at UNC. He will need to tighten his shot profile a bit and ideally evolve as a creator for others. He is a point guard at heart, and his assist numbers should better reflect that. With that said, Fultz could allow Anthony to lean into his comfort zones as a scorer, which Orlando desperately needs on the perimeter.
Saddiq Bey seems to be gaining steam, and he makes quite a bit of sense for Portland. While the Blazers have traditionally gambled on long-term projects, Bey is too good a fit to pass up. He’s one of the better spot-up shooters in the draft, and he’s a versatile 6-foot-8 wing who can step into the void of someone like Carmelo Anthony.
Wing depth has been an issue for the Blazers all season. Even with the ascension of Gary Trent, the Blazers could use someone with Bey’s size — at 6-foot-8 — to slide between the three and the four. Bey is not a great athlete, but he’s nimble enough to defend multiple positions. His understanding of body placement and timing is beyond most upcoming rookies.
Many will question Bey’s ceiling. He doesn’t provide a ton of diversity on offense, aside from the occasional one or two dribble pull-up. He’s a smart and unselfish passer, but with limited handles, he’s not someone to create his own offense on a regular basis. That said, Portland does need a shot creator. He would find ample success spreading the floor and reaping the benefits of Damian Lillard’s gravity.
Having pressed turbocharge on offense with the No. 1 pick, Minnesota looks to complement Karl-Anthony Towns in this spot. Jalen Smith is a logical pick, and someone who appears to be rocketing up draft boards as October creeps closer.
Towns is such a gifted and singular talent on offense. It’s hard not to fit next to him. Smith, however, fits especially well on paper — a floor-spacing, rim-running center who posted impressive efficiency numbers at every level as a sophomore. He is also a stout shot blocker, and though he struggles to defend in space, Smith has the length and instincts to cover a lot of ground as a weak-side rim protector.
The Wolves will bank on Smith’s stellar defensive production at Maryland, and hope his skill set proves nice in conjunction with the loads of shot creators on the roster. Smith gives Minnesota the potential for a two-big lineup than can still play five-out basketball. Everyone a 3-point threat.
A personal favorite of mine, Aleksej Pokusevski could shine in Dallas. Or anywhere, frankly. He’s more of a gamble than others in this range, but a 7-footer who moves like a wing, swishes off-movement 3s, can pass on the move, and who consumes stocks at a healthy rate is my kind of gamble. Not to mention, Dallas’ international scouts have a pretty sturdy track record.
The Mavs already have a stretchy big man in Kristaps Porzingis. Pokusevski doesn’t account for Porzingis’ strength deficit, but the idea of two hyper-versatile offensive bigs operating next to Luka Doncic to too appealing to ignore. Pokusevski has the upside of a top-five prospect, and the Mavs have shown no qualms about investing in “risky” prospects from overseas.
Poku will need to add muscle to his frame in order to thrive in the NBA. But his shooting is immediately translatable, as is his potential to push the tempo and create for others, especially on the fast break. That’s rare stuff for someone his size. The defense is a work in progress, but Pokusevski has no shortage of eye-popping plays to inspire confidence in the future.
The Nets have a non-zero chance to go all the way next season. Brooklyn is on the precipice of a seismic shift in priorities, but the 2020 NBA Draft still has the potential to offer immediate value. Wing depth is never a negative, especially with Joe Harris entering free agency.
Josh Green does not replace Harris’ knockdown shooting, but he does insert another athletic body into Brooklyn’s long and rangy group. He’s one of the best athletes in this draft, and with solid instincts and a projectable 3-point stroke, the appeal of Green as a 3-and-D wing is readily apparent on film.
Brooklyn will need Green to evolve, most notably as a ball handler, is he’s to become anything more than a role player. But with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the roster, the Nets would probably settle for an aggressive, versatile wing defender who can deftly fill a complementary role on offense.
The Heat will probably want to invest in someone a little more reliable than Kendrick Nunn at point guard. With Goran Dragic firmly in the twilight of his career, Kira Lewis makes a great deal of sense here. He may also, frankly, be the best player available.
A lot of folks have overlooked Lewis up to this point. His production was strong across the board at Alabama. He was an efficient playmaker, an effective three-level scorer, and a stout point-of-attack defender. He’s also the quickest end-to-end player in the draft, and the type of grade-A athlete the Heat tend to invest in.
To top things off, all indications are that Lewis is a good person and a good teammate — the type of personality and work ethic you want in a locker room. He’s tailor-made for the Heat and their enigmatic and consistently strong “culture.” He can waltz into significant playing time as a rookie, even if both Nunn and Dragic are on the roster.
The general consensus seems to be coming around on the idea of Tyrell Terry as a first-round pick, just in time for Philadelphia to swoop in for the steal. For me, Terry is a top-10 prospect, and the fit here is too perfect — too blatantly necessary — to gloss over. If the Sixers find themselves in this position, Terry should stand out like a floodlight in the black of night.
While some are reasonably concerned about Terry’s small stature, he’s one of the most gifted shooters in this class. From any angle, from any distance, he’s money. He can shoot on the move, pull-up out of the pick-and-roll, or spot-up and benefit from the gravity of players like Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
The Sixers need another guard who can create off the dribble. They also need a guard who can fill the J.J. Redick void — a quick trigger shooter to throw into two-man actions with Embiid and stretch the defense out to the 3-point line. Terry could, very feasibly, end up in the starting five before the end of 2020-21. I’d like to think this pick is common sense, not wishful thinking.
The Nuggets have more depth than any franchise in the NBA. That has led to some fruitful home-run swings in recent drafts — Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol. Immense talents, with equally immense baggage. Both seem primed to pay off. R.J. Hampton is not operating on the same level of uncertainty, but he’s a calculated upside swing nonetheless. And a smart one for Denver.
Before the season, many pegged Hampton as a top-10 prospect. He struggled with both injuries and inconsistency in his lone season overseas — playing for New Zealand against pro competition — but the athletic tools and core skill set remain. He’s a slippery ball-handler and a gifted shot-maker. The emphasis moving forward is on efficiency.
For Hampton, he needs to iron out his jump shot, trim his shot profile, and put a greater emphasis on his responsibilities to create for others. In Denver, his role would start small. He would have the luxury of time and an absence of pressure. Both Jamal Murray and Monte Morris are good players to learn behind.
The Jazz still have a need at point guard. While Mike Conley is passable in the present, he’s clearly not much of an answer beyond this postseason. Nico Mannion is another five-star recruit once touted as a top-10 prospect. He struggled at times in his freshman season at Arizona, but the skill level is NBA quality.
In Mannion, the Jazz get one of the more advanced playmakers in the 2020 draft. Even with Donovan Mitchell making the leap in Orlando, a guard who can help take pressure off his shoulders in the halfcourt is important. Mannion is a severely limited athlete, but he can make just about every pass, and he’s a good enough shooter to coexist with a more ball-dominant guard.
The issues for Mannion are tied to his athleticism. He lacks burst, and therefore struggles to turn the corner and get dribble penetration. Such issues will only be exacerbated in the NBA. He also struggles to finish at the rim in traffic. Even so, it’s easy to bet on high basketball I.Q. and competitive spirt.
Eric Bledsoe continues to fly under the radar as one of the most solid two-way point guards in the NBA. Even so, his fit in Milwaukee’s system — or more specifically, next to Giannis Antetokounmpo — has been a constant point of debate, fair or not. The Bucks can spring for some insurance in the backcourt.
In Theo Maledon, the Bucks add a better shooter and a polished playmaker. Maledon has had the benefit of learning from Tony Parker in France, and while he will never fill Parker’s NBA shoes, it’s not hard to envision Maledon surprising folks as a rookie. He deserves more attention than he’s currently getting.
At 6-foot-5, Maledon has great physical tools for a point guard, which fits with Milwaukee’s lengthy rotation. He’s not an elite athlete, but a myriad of crafty dribble moves and a smooth pull-up jumper should allow Maledon to contribute amply.
Jaden McDaniels entered the season wrapped in a cloud of giddy anticipation. He was a top-five prospect for me, and for many others. A fluid 6-foot-10 wing who can create his own offense and wreak havoc on defense. The appeal was obvious. And, in a way, it still is. The Kevin Durant comparisons, while foolish and lazy, did provide a window into just how popular he was in the draft community.
Fast forward to August, and McDaniels is expected more in the 15-30 range than the 1-5 range. Even so, the Thunder — who have faired well with rawly talented athletes in the recent past — get one of the more intriguing and exciting prospects available. If everything breaks right, McDaniels still has very real star potential.
With his size, McDaniels has no problem shooting over the top of defenders. He’s a slick ball-handler and a three-level scorer. On defense, he has the length and mobility to cover a lot of ground. It all comes down to consistency for McDaniels, both in terms of production and effort. He needs to try every night, and preferably, even possession. The Thunder are a hard-nosed, competitive team. As good an environment as any for McDaniels.
The Celtics have put together a competitive season despite sustained issues in the frontcourt. While Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter, and Robert Williams have been able to provide patchwork production at center, the Celtics are in need of a stable long-term option at the five. Isaiah Stewart fits the bill.
While many will question Stewart’s ability to hold up in the modern NBA, especially on defense, he was too productive and too hard a worker at Washington to flop entirely. He will carve out easy baskets at the rim, he’s a dominant presence on the glass, and he will gallantly protect the rim — even if he is limited to drop coverage.
Boston needs someone who can put pressure on the rim, run the floor, and finish easy shots. It’s not hard to be a productive big man next to the Celtics’ wealth of perimeter talent and playmakers. This is a pretty sweet deal for Stewart, and probably a good get for Boston as well.
The Knicks presumably have a great deal of confidence in Mitchell Robinson’s future. With that said, he’s a young, foul-prone center who still needs to iron out a few fatal flaws. The Knicks need someone to split the burden at center. Enter Zeke Nnaji, Arizona’s third prospect in the first round.
At 6-foot-11, Nnaji plays a different brand of basketball than Robinson. He’s a fluid athlete and an efficient finisher, yes, but his bread and butter lies outside of explosive verticality. Rather, Nnaji is extremely smooth. He is a witty, crafty scorer inside, and he is comfortable spacing out to the 3-point line for the occasional jumper. Nnaji will do a lot of the little things to help New York on offense.
Defensively, Nnaji will need to improve as a rim protector. With that said, he’s mobile in space and has more than enough heart to light a fire under the Knicks’ often stagnant second unit. He’s a tremendous talent, but more than that, he’s the type of player you want in a burgeoning locker room.
The Lakers’ point guard depth has been a weakness all season. With Rajon Rondo on a steep decline, Avery Bradley not in the long-term plans, and Alex Caruso more of a complementary piece than a certified starting guard, L.A. would be wise to add to its reserves.
In Cassius Winston, the Lakers get a ready-made contributor and one of college basketball’s most productive players, period. Winston helmed multiple great Michigan State teams, and was among the fringe contenders for National Player of the Year as a senior. He’s a complete gamer. He competes on defense, can hit deep 3s on demand, and he’s incredibly smart. All traits the Lakers should value as a contender.
Winston lacks a degree of cachet. He’s older, he’s not much of an athlete, and at 6-foot-1, he doesn’t scream “upside.” But, for the Lakers, it’s about adding a young, productive guard who can contribute to a playoff run. Color me unsurprised if Winston cracks the rotation on a contender in his rookie year.
The Raptors have never been the team to draft in a hurry. Take Pascal Siakam, for example. It was never about crafting Siakam into a year one contributor. It was always a deliberate, long-term plan. The same can apply to Leandro Bolmaro, who expects to spend next season with Barcelona. The Raptors don’t need someone to come over right away.
Bolmaro has some holes in his game — most notably, his lack of a consistent, reliable jump shot. He’s a versatile 6-foot-8 wing. He can defend multiple positions, he’s comfortable creating for others, and his shot-making chops are there. If he can iron out his jumper — and stretch it comfortably behind the 3-point line — the 19-year-old will probably exceed the value of his draft slot.
Think of Bolmaro is an immense talent that still needs a few years of grooming. He can create off the dribble, and he’s even comfortable whipping high-level passes out of the pick-and-roll, but he’s also dangerously turnover-prone. It will take time for Bolmaro to better define his skill set and to improve as a decision-maker. The Raptors can take that time, and their player development program remains among the best in basketball.
In Tyler Bey, the Celtics add one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. At 6-foot-7, Bey spent his college days in the frontcourt. In the NBA, due to his size, he projects as more of a wing. We have seen the difficulties of such a transition in the past — i.e. Zhaire Smith — but Bey is built for the challenge.
Bey’s value is rooted in defense. He’s a strong-bodied defender, with quick enough feet to defend the perimeter and the choppiness needed to battle inside. He could spend some time as a small-ball four — or even a small-ball five — with the right personnel around him. That kind of versatility is hard to come by, and the Celtics thrive on interchangeable parts.
The offense will need to come around for Bey. He can hit jumpers, but his mechanics need serious reconstruction. He’s not much of a ball-handler, nor a threat in isolation. He will produce mostly as a rim-runner, with a few spot-up possessions thrown in. Even so, mere complementary production next to Boston’s wealth of shot creators would more than suffice.