A final update on the best prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The 2020 NBA Draft is fast approaching. On Nov. 18, a new class of rookies will hear their names called by commissioner Adam Silver. The Philadelphia 76ers have five picks, including the 21st overall pick in the first round.
It has been a while since I last updated my big board, and this is the final iteration ahead of next week’s draft. For a breakdown of what teams should do, you can read our latest mock draft. If you want strict projections, you can read this mock draft.
You can expect a new mock draft — as well as a Sixers Draft Guide — between now and the 18th. Stay tuned!
Here are the 60 best prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft.
60. Kenyon Martin Jr., forward, IMG Academy
A freak athlete who skipped college for a prep year at IMG, Martin still has a long way to go before he contributes to winning in the NBA. That said, his physical tools and pedigree will surely garner interest in the second round.
59. Kaleb Wesson, big, Ohio State
A skilled offensive big who put up strong numbers at Ohio State, the concern for Wesson isn’t his ability to score. It’s not his ability to benefit teammates, either. It’s defense. How well he defends in space will determine if he sticks around or not.
58. Sam Merrill, guard, Utah State
24-year-olds naturally lack appeal on draft night, but Merrill has the size and skill set to contribute at the next level. He doesn’t have much in terms of upside, but a capable shooter and smart playmaker normally gets his shot in the NBA.
57. Markus Howard, guard, Marquette
One of college basketball’s most prolific scorers, Markus Howard was given free reign at Marquette. He’s 5-foot-11 and will probably never defend well, but late in the second round, a net-scorcher of Howard’s variety could be plenty valuable.
56. Mason Jones, wing, Arkansas
Jones led the SEC in scoring and did so rather efficiently. He isn’t a great athlete and will need to prove his jumper is consistent enough by NBA standards, but his penchant for points won’t go overlooked.
55. Nick Richards, big, Kentucky
A former five-star recruit who stumbled out of the gates at Kentucky, it took Richards a few seasons to establish himself on the NBA radar. Now he has, and as a rangy 7-footer with hops, it’s easy to see a team taking a flyer on him in the second round.
54. Jordan Nwora, wing, Louisville
Thought limited all-around, Nwora is a knockdown shooter at 6-foot-7. Wings who can hit 3s at a high enough volume typically have a chance at the next level.
53. Grant Riller, guard, Charleston
A diminutive 23-year-old, Riller spent four productive years at Charleston. His lack of experience against high-level competition is a concern, but he scored with a volume and efficiency rivaled by very few in college basketball. He has spark-plug potential.
52. Udoka Azubuike, big, Kansas
A hulking center — standing seven feet tall with a 7-foot-7 wingspan — Azubuike’s appeal lies in plain sight. His physical tools, efficiency, and rim protection will get him looks in the second round, even if his future in the ever-evolving NBA is dubious at best.
51. Daniel Oturu, big, Minnesota
Another outdated archetype, Oturu is a powerful, wide-framed center whose two-way numbers at Minnesota are hard to ignore. If he can grow as a decision-maker and survive the nuances of modern NBA defense, he could have a role.
50. Elijah Hughes, wing, Syracuse
A solid athlete at 6-foot-6, Hughes provides ample versatility on the wing. He can do a little bit of everything, and while his lack of specialization is detrimental to a degree, the more boxes NBA wings can check, the better. A swing skill is defense. Syracuse’s zone is tricky.
49. Skylar Mays, guard, LSU
A smooth scorer with upside as a secondary playmaker, Mays should find success in the NBA’s increasingly guard-oriented landscape. He lacks athleticism and size, but the skill level and basketball I.Q. are promising.
48. Ashton Hagans, guard, Kentucky
He will need to improve offensively to stick at the next level, but Hagans is a marvel on defense. He gets after every possession, he is never deterred on the ball, and he takes pride in muddying up the game for opposing point guards. He’s a winner and should win over front offices as a result.
47. Yam Madar, guard, Hapoel Tel Aviv
I have read the T.J. McConnell comparison for Madar. He’s scrappy, smart, and entirely unselfish. He has all the intangibles of a backup point guard in the NBA, even if his lack of a consistent jumper is worrisome. He’s another point guard with a winner’s mentality.
46. Vernon Carey Jr., big, Duke
A gifted interior scorer who put up big numbers at Duke, Carey won’t have any problem finishing around the rim or getting face-up buckets in the NBA. Like many centers listed before him, the concern is defense. Can he defend in space? If so, he probably has a career.
45. Zeke Nnaji, big, Arizona
A fluid, bouncy athlete at 6-foot-11, Nnaji has the base appeal of a modern NBA five. He’s a vertical spacer who finishes efficiently at the rim, runs the floor, and defends adequately in space. The next step is expanding his repertoire on offense.
44. Payton Pritchard, guard, Oregon
A spunky shot-maker with no shortage in confidence, Pritchard has the hallmarks of a solid backup point guard. He’s undersized and isn’t much of an athlete, but he competes hard on defense, is good enough as a facilitator, and should have no trouble spacing the floor in the NBA.
43. Cassius Stanley, wing, Duke
Stanley is a former five-star recruit who surprised many by coming along as quickly as he did at Duke, Stanley still isn’t a first-round prospect. That said, he’s one of the best athletes in the draft and he brings a lot of versatility to the wing at 6-foot-6. He’s a project worth taking on.
42. Immanuel Quickley, guard, Kentucky
A speedy floor-spacer, Quickley was a valuable part of Kentucky’s talented (if not universally praised) backcourt last season. He has immediate appeal as a secondary creator who and spot up and hit 3s at a healthy clip.
41. Paul Reed, forward, DePaul
Reed has athleticism to spare at 6-foot-9. He still has a long way to go developmentally, but his ranginess on defense, combined with flashes of brilliance in the open court offensively, should keep him firmly in the second round conversation.
40. Devon Dotson, guard, Kansas
He needs to iron out his 3-point stroke, but Devon Dotson is a turbo-charged scorer who has no problem penetrating the defense and putting points on the board. He’s undersized and needs another playmaker with him in the backcourt, but Dotson’s quickness, finishing ability, and in-between game are praise-worthy.
39. Tyler Bey, forward, Colorado
Bey essentially profiles as a 6-foot-7 big man. He played center at Colorado and will need to evolve in order to truly stick in the NBA. That said, his defensive versatility and complementary skill set are indicative of a valuable rotation piece.
38. Jahmi’us Ramsey, guard, Texas Tech
A talented scorer who can bury a boatload of difficult shots, it’s not difficult to picture Ramsey carving out a role in the NBA. Anyone with his knack for scoring can stick. His ancillary skills, however, will determine just how much he can contribute to winning.
37. Abdoulaye N’Doye, guard, Cholet Basket
N’Doye has been a prospect for years now, and he’s finally set to get drafted. At 6-foot-7, N’Doye is a source of great intrigue due to his blend of length and athleticism in the backcourt. He can defend multiple positions, and has improved in key areas of late.
36. Isaiah Stewart, big, Washington
A bit of a throwback with a few modern twists, Isaiah Stewart should get a shot in the NBA. He’s a skilled, efficient post-up scorer who can set solid screens and aptly protect the rim. Like many bigs, his ability to defend in space and handle the speed of modern basketball will ultimately determine his fate.
35. Robert Woodard II, wing, Mississippi State
At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, it’s tough to ignore Woodard’s raw tools. He still has room to grow in terms of feel and skill level, but improvement in his 3-point stroke and a great baseline on defense should keep him in the late first to early second-round mix.
34. Tre Jones, guard, Duke
One of the best point guards in college basketball as a sophomore, Tre Jones proved his mettle on both sides of the ball last season. He’s an elite point of attack defender and a smart, relatively mistake-free facilitator. The next step is a more consistent 3-point shot.
33. Ty-Shon Alexander, guard, Creighton
At 6-foot-4, Alexander has developed a sturdy reputation on defense. He’s active and aware, and is one of the best on-ball defenders in this range. Offensively, he can hit 3s and do the little things to help a team win. He will need to develop as a ball-handler to unlock his ceiling, but the core skill set is one NBA teams covet.
32. Malachi Flynn, guard, San Diego State
Though undersized and limited athletically, there’s a lot to like about Malachi Flynn. He’s one of the best playmakers outside the lottery, and combines his excellent feel with deep range on his jumper. He could end up in the first round.
31. Jalen Smith, big, Maryland
Smith fits the rough outline of a modern NBA center. He can block shots and hit 3s, which alone is enough to garner interest in the first round. He is still a bit gangly and not entirely proficient defending outside the paint, but Smith has 3-and-D upside teams will buy.
30. Xavier Tillman Sr., big, Michigan State
A contender in need of frontcourt help would be wise to target Xavier Tillman. He’s one of the most NBA-ready talents on the board — a smart, savvy two-way big who understands the nuances of interior defense.
Tillman lacks size at 6-foot-9, but he’s strongly built and an underrated athlete. He’s an adequate rim protector and is fairly mobile on switches. His maneuverability, and the fundamental soundness of his game, will go a long way in ensuring a role at the next level.
Offensively, Tillman is limited by a poor 3-point stroke. That said, his basketball I.Q. shines, and he should contribute amply as a screen-and-roll threat. He’s a tantalizing playmaker from the middle of the floor, and his touch around the rim could precede improvement in his jumper. Add a level of poise few rookies can match, and Tillman should carve out playing time as soon as this season.
29. Cassius Winston, guard, Michigan State
Another Michigan State product, and another prospect who should quickly land on his feet at the next level. Cassius Winston has been a bonafide collegiate superstar for two seasons now, and spent four largely productive years in East Lansing. He was a winning player through and through.
Winston is undersized at 6-foot-1, but a strong frame and a 6-foot-6 wingspan make up some of that ground defensively. He also has a well-documented competitive edge. Offensively, Winston can bomb 3s and playmake for others without committing copious amounts of turnovers. That, normally, is indicative of a good NBA player.
A lot of contenders late in the first round — and even early in the second round — are in need of guard help. Someone like Winston, who can space the floor, benefit others, and is a proven winner, should not have a hard time charming front offices.
28. Precious Achiuwa, big, Memphis
At 6-foot-9 and carved out of stone, Precious Achiuwa could go as high as the lottery. There’s natural infatuation with his athletic gifts, and the potential of a mobile, multi-positional defender who can bulldoze opponents in the open court is hard to deny.
Even so, Achiuwa has a ways to go developmentally. His 3-point stroke is virtually nonexistent, he’s not a diverse scorer inside, and his defense — while shimmering with elite upside — is still a work in progress. There’s a chance Achiuwa doesn’t actually figure it out, which is why the lottery feels too high.
Late in the first round is a better bet, and in a mostly unspectacular class, it’s understandable that teams are prepared to take leaps of faith. Achiuwa could make this ranking look stupid, or he could struggle to realize his potential. Either outcome is possible. Regardless, he’s one heck of an athlete.
27. Leandro Bolmaro, wing, Barcelona
It will take time for Leandro Bolmaro to make his way to the NBA, but as far as draft-and-stash candidates go, there’s a lot to like. At 6-foot-6, Bolmaro is a versatile athlete with real upside as a playmaker. He could use a couple years of development, but hey — that’s what the stash is for.
The concept of Bolmaro as a player will intoxicate some front offices. He’s a jumbo-sized playmaker — a wing with upside as a lead ball-handler. Bolmaro is slippery in the pick-and-roll, he does an excellent job navigating tight spaces, and he has real flare as a passer.
The issues lie in Bolmaro’s blind spots. He’s not much of a shooter yet, and he can still get carried away as a decision-maker. A couple more years in Europe to iron out the mechanics of his jumper and to gain more experience as a facilitator could be beneficial. Bolmaro is a worthy investment of a team’s patience.
26. Isaiah Joe, wing, Arkansas
There’s a good chance Isaiah Joe is the best shooter in the 2020 class. He was terribly efficient as a sophomore, but injuries are partly to blame. Even so, he shot roughly 35 percent on over ten 3-point attempts per game. His percentage was much higher as a freshman.
Joe is unafraid to let it fly, and that’s a trait many teams — cough, cough, Sixers — should covet. Joe’s volume and efficiency are rare in any prospect, and his percentages will only look better when paired with NBA facilitators.
If Joe can stay healthy and prove his mettle as a defender, there’s not much holding him back from a significant role at the next level. This league is built on shooters, and Joe’s gravity has the potential to warp the mechanics of whatever offense he joins for the better.
25. R.J. Hampton, guard, New Zealand
It’s not hard to see why R.J. Hampton was a five-star recruit. He has great size for a comboguard — 6-foot-5, with a 6-foot-7 wingspan — and he’s an electric athlete, using slippery handles to manipulate and evade defenders. He has the core tool kit of a quality NBA guard.
An inconsistent campaign in the Australian league put a dent in Hampton’s draft stock. He struggled with injuries and was largely inefficient. Even as a high schooler playing against grown men, Hampton’s struggles from beyond the arc, as well as his deficiencies as a facilitator, were troublesome.
There’s still plenty of reason for optimism. That said, Hampton will need time and an accommodating NBA home. He’s no longer a lottery pick, and is probably best served on a contender with high-level playmakers already on the roster.
24. Jaden McDaniels, wing, Washington
I’ve bounced back and forth on Jaden McDaniels. He wasn’t very good as a freshman at Washington, but his physical profile and skill set are impossible to discount. He’s a silky 6-foot-10 wing, and at his best, McDaniels’ scoring is characterized by a rare ease. He can shoot over the top of smaller defenders, or outmaneuver more cumbersome opponents.
McDaniels’ inefficiency and poor decision-making at Washington are cause for concern. There are also valid concerns about his general disposition, and how committed he is to winning. His reputation isn’t great. In the right situation, however, his talent could flourish.
With enough upside to justify a lottery pick, McDaniels simply cannot drop lower than this on my board. His success is no guarantee, and he will need to become more engaged on both sides of the ball to succeed at the next level. If he does that, expect good things.
23. Theo Maledon, guard, ASVEL
Playing under the mentorship of Tony Parker in France, Theo Maledon has cemented his status as a first-round prospect. He has excellent tools for a point guard — including at 6-foot-9 wingspan — and possesses a feel for the game beyond his ripe age of 18 years old.
Maledon is a pleasure to watch. He operates with a great sense of control, calming navigating pick-and-rolls, and using smart dribble moves to shake free of his defenders. Maledon lacks elite athleticism, and his middling first step could prove limiting, but he feels too smart and skilled to flop.
On defense, Maledon’s length should allow him to defend two — if not eventually three — positions rather comfortably. In a league trending increasingly toward multi-guard rotations, it’s not hard to find a suitable home for Maledon’s skill package and physical profile.
22. Nico Mannion, guard, Arizona
A former five-star recruit who struggled as a freshman, Nico Mannion could fall all the way to the second round. That seems too extreme for my taste, as Mannion still has a number of redeemable qualities as a prospect. Most importantly, he’s one of the smartest floor generals on the board.
Feel for the game has always been Mannion’s strong suit. He’s a visionary, with a sharp eye for passing angles and an unselfish disposition. He makes teammates better, and he’s a good enough shooter to contribute elsewhere. He could lead an NBA offense as soon as this season.
That said, Mannion does have shortcomings. He’s a poor athlete with a negative wingspan, which makes finishing in the rim a challenge. It will also limit him on defense, although he does compete plenty hard on that side of the ball. Mannion’s basketball I.Q. and shooting will do the heavy lifting at the next level. That should be enough.
21. Killian Tillie, big, Gonzaga
The elephant in the room for Killian Tillie is his injury history. If not for serious durability concerns, he would probably get lottery consideration. Now, he might not crack the top 50. Precaution on the part of NBA teams is understandable, but at the end of the day, Tillie is too good to barely get drafted. He’s a home-run swing with real potential to slap one over the fence.
Tillie is a knockdown shooter at 6-foot-10 with advanced feel and a smorgasbord of complementary skills. He’s a dynamic pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop big, with real passing chops and a willingness to move the ball. He doesn’t stick in one spot, he doesn’t get sucked into poor shot selection, and he makes live easier for everyone involved.
With a high basketball I.Q., excellent feel, and the mobility of a modern NBA big, Tillie seems destined for success. In fact, a healthy Tillie might crack the top 10 on this board. There’s a real chance he’s never healthy, and for that reason he drops just outside the top-20. But the potential is tantalizing, and yes, Philadelphia should jump at the chance to take him in the mid-30s.
20. Saddiq Bey, wing, Villanova
The NBA loves 3-and-D wings. Saddiq Bey is the prototypical 3-and-D wing, complete with an above-40 percent success rate from 3 and impressive versatility on defense. Bey has great size at 6-foot-8, and while he’s not a great athlete, he’s good enough to defend three or four positions.
Bey does most of his damage as a spot-up shooter, where confidence and a fluid release tend to yield positive results. He’s not a primary option by any stretch, but he’s also comfortable in the pick-and-roll, with the ability to make basic reads as a passer. He has room to grow.
He will never ascend to superstar heights, but Bey has a readily transferable skill, a strong physical profile, and an advanced understanding of how to impact winning. He’s also coming from a premier pro-style system in Villanova. He’s a safe bet.
19. Josh Green, wing, Arizona
With grade-A athleticism and an underrated feel for the game, Josh Green shouldn’t fall much further than this on draft night. He’s a versatile defender and a springy contributor on offense, combining flashy dunks with flashes of intrigue as a passer and a pull-up shooter.
Green will make his most immediate impact on defense. He’s a feisty on-ball defender with equal promise off the ball. He shows enough awareness to corrupt passing lanes and create turnovers, which in turn allow him to take full advantage of his athleticism in the open court.
NBA teams can rely on Green to hit spot-up jumpers, but he would benefit from even more dynamism as a shooter — especially behind the arc. That said, his quick first step, genuine flare as a passer, and willingness to move without the ball should make him stick regardless.
18. Obi Toppin, forward, Dayton
Obi Toppin was the best player in college basketball last season. Offensively, he should have no trouble fitting in at the next level. He’s a Swiss Army Knife talent — an explosive rim-runner, a skilled face-up scorer, a nifty passer, and capable 3-point threat. Toppin can fit into most any system.
The issues for Toppin arise on defense, where his lack of lateral quickness could pose a major issue. He’s built like a power forward at 6-foot-9, but Toppin lacks the lower-body strength to handle the NBA’s more powerful bigs. He also struggles to defend in space — he’s vertically explosive, but that simply doesn’t translate to his lateral movements.
Toppin doesn’t have a clear role on defense and he may never get to the point of even net-zero impact on that end. All that said, his offense is too good to predict failure, and his place inside the top-10 on most boards is earned — even if it feels a little too optimistic.
17. Desmond Bane, guard, TCU
Four seasons at TCU groomed Desmond Bane into one of the biggest risers in this year’s draft cycle. Once an afterthought, he’s now a virtual lock in the first round. While unorthodox in both style and build, Bane should have no trouble carving out a role at the next level.
Bane is one of the best shooters in this draft — if not the best shooter. On the move, pulling up, standing still. He can hit a wide variety of shots, and do so at high levels of difficulty. In addition to his shooting, Bane is a smart and measured playmaker, even if that is sometimes offset by a mediocre first step.
With a flamethrower in his back pocket and a real knack for creating out of the pick-and-roll, Bane’s game is suited to today’s NBA. He’s also a competitive, intensely aware defender who doesn’t make a ton of mistakes. He can appear slow and plodding, but the skill level is undeniable.
16. Aaron Nesmith, wing, Vanderbilt
Aaron Nesmith is one of the few prospects who can possibly outstrip Bane for the title of best shooter. While his 2020 season was cut short by injury, Nesmith has that one high-level NBA skill — shooting — and because of it, he has instant utility.
Few individual skills carry more weight in the modern NBA than shooting. Nesmith can bend defenses to their breaking point, and his ability to stretch the floor for others — not to mention the points he, himself, will generate — is valuable to any contender.
Nesmith is solid all around, too. He competes on defense, he’s comfortable moving the ball around, and he’s a good enough pull-up shooter to punish errant closeouts. He doesn’t have a ton of upside as a shot creator or playmaker, but he excels in a very important role. In this draft, that’s worthy of a top-20 pick.
15. Tyrese Maxey, guard, Kentucky
Tyrese Maxey is a gamer. A winner. The man tends to make a positive impact, which he did at Kentucky despite rampant inconsistency as a freshman. Even when he’s not sinking shots, Maxey does enough as a defender and a secondary creator to earn his stay on the floor.
At 6-foot-3, Maxey has a 6-foot-6 wingspan and a strong frame, which helps him battle bigger guards and some wings. He’s a terrific point of attack defender and is equally proficient at navigating the nuances of off-ball defense. He also makes every hustle play — an easy fan favorite.
On offense, Maxey is a skilled scorer with a better 3-point stroke than the numbers would suggest. He can space the floor and works nicely as a two-guard. He has flashes as a facilitator, but Maxey should accompany a true point guard at all times. He’s not going to run the show.
14. Isaac Okoro, wing, Auburn
At 18 years old, Isaac Okoro was one of the best defenders in college basketball. He’s an elite athlete at 6-foot-7, and he profiles as possibly the top defensive prospect on this board — period. He can defend multiple positions, he’s smart beyond his years, and he competes hard. The intangibles are off the charts.
My main reservation with Okoro, who projects as a top-10 pick, is his lack of a jumper. We have seen plenty of talented two-way wings who simply cannot overcome a poor jumper. Developing his jumper should be Okoro’s top priority. Defenses will ignore him otherwise.
Even so, Okoro is too cerebral and too talented not to get consideration in the lottery. His defense alone should provide value, while his production as a cutter and ball-mover could make up for his limitations as a scorer. Put him in the right setting — preferably with a bunch of shooters around him — and he will blossom.
13. Patrick Williams, wing, Florida State
No prospect has seen a more astronomic improvement in draft stock than Patrick Williams. He started the season as a relative unknown, and now enters draft week with a possible promise inside the top-10. Williams has clearly captured the imagination of NBA executives, and it’s tough to blame them.
Williams is a physical specimen. His bulky thighs, broad shoulders, and chiseled build pop on screen. While not overly explosive, Williams’ craft and his blossoming skill set are worthy of top-10 consideration. His work-in-progress reputation belies a real potential for immediate two-way contributions.
On offense, Williams is already fairly advanced. He cuts and moves like an experienced player, while his scoring chops are indicative of star potential. His knack for hitting contested jumpers, as well as his ability to finish through traffic, should elate potential suitors.
12. Cole Anthony, guard, North Carolina
Injuries dragged Cole Anthony down in his freshman year at UNC. Once considered the top prospect in the draft, it’s now difficult to look past Anthony’s glaring deficiencies as a finisher and a facilitator. For a point guard, he’s just not the best decision-maker on the board.
I’ve been a staunch supporter of Anthony all season, but in the end, there’s too much room for error for me to keep him in my top 10. That said, he’s still a gifted scorer, a former five-star recruit, and the son of a very successful NBA guard. He has basketball in his blood, truly, and could still end up one of the five best players from this draft in five years time.
Anthony will need to prove he can stay healthy. He will also need to prove he can finish more efficiently at the rim, where he should have enough wiggle and touch to thrive. His defense could use some work, too. In the end, Anthony should — at the very least — get plenty of buckets off the bench. Think Lou Williams, Jamal Crawford, Dennis Schroder microwave potential.
11. Tyrell Terry, guard, Stanford
Another contender for the “best shooter” label in this year’s draft, Tyrell Terry has skyrocketed up mock drafts since the season ended. With a global health crisis and nothing better to do, it would appear scouts checked back on Terry’s tape and found themselves entranced. Once a vague consideration for Philadelphia in the second round, now he’s probably not getting to the Sixers at 21.
Terry has a slight frame at 6-foot-3 and, even with added muscle, could be prone to defensive mismatches in the NBA. On offense, however, he’s a stupid good shooter. He has picturesque mechanics and needs very little space to comfortably let it fly. He has equal parts confidence and range.
In addition to his 3-point stroke, Terry has real upside as a point guard. He’s smart out of the pick-and-roll, and defenses have to respect his pull-up threat. Terry isn’t the best facilitator in the draft, but his court vision deserves more credit. If he can continue to improve his frame, teams shouldn’t have too many reservations outside the top five or so.
10. Aleksej Pokusevski, big, Olympiacos
Half man, half myth, Aleksej Pokusevski’s arc as a prospect has been loosely compared to Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s playing what amounts to high school competition in Greece, and the tape is therefore hard to come by. That said, not many prospects carry Pokusevski’s upside, even if his bust potential is higher than others in this range.
Poku is a 7-footer who moves and shoots like a wing. He can curl around screens and bury a catch-and-shoot jumper, or take smaller wings off the dribble and finish with acrobatic finesse at the rim. He has feather-soft touch on his jumpers and floaters, not to mention flashes of brilliance as a big man passer.
The issue for Poku is, frankly, whether or not he can actually play in the NBA — ever. He’s built like a ruler and would get obliterated if asked to play NBA defense tomorrow. He’s the most extreme work in progress on this board, and he probably won’t be in the league for at least another year or two. If teams are willing to wait, however, he could have the biggest payoff of anybody in this draft.
9. Onyeka Okongwu, big, USC
While comparisons to Bam Adebayo are mostly unfair — that’s a lot of pressure for any rookie — the through lines between Adebayo and USC freshman Onyeka Okongwu do deserve exploration. While Okongwu is not nearly as skilled or versatile offensively, he does occupy a similar athletic build. That alone could mean success in the NBA.
At 6-foot-9, Okongwu is undersized for the center position. Like Adebayo, however, he is also mobile and strong-bodied. He can stonewall bigger centers at the rim, or switch effortlessly to the perimeter to contain a ball-handler. His defensive I.Q., combined with his unique athletic gifts, make Okongwu one of the two or three most impressive defenders in this class.
Offensively, Okongwu is a superbly efficient rim-runner and lob threat. He doesn’t do much otherwise — there’s no jumper to speak of, at least not yet — but he’s efficient in his role, and does enough on both ends to project as arguably the surest frontcourt bet in this draft.
8. Devin Vassell, wing, Florida State
Another bastion of 3-and-D versatility, Devin Vassell is what most every NBA team looks for in a wing. He’s 6-foot-7, has a pterodactyl-esque wingspan, and can shoot 3s at a healthy clip. He’s also one of the draft’s elite defenders — lump him in with Okoro, Okongwu.
Vassell’s I.Q. on the defensive end is next-level. He’s a great off-ball defender, using his length to disrupt passing lanes. On the ball, he’s both spindly and coordinated, bottling up the point of attack and making life difficult for wannabe scorers. Add in a relentless approach to the game, and Vassell is almost guaranteed to pan out defensively in the NBA — especially if he bulks up.
On offense, Vassell’s core attribute is his shooting. That said, he can also attack errant closeouts and work the in-between game, with a fair amount of success. He’s a whip-smart passer and he doesn’t dominate the ball. If he improves his handle, then it becomes easy to make out a star trajectory.
7. Kira Lewis Jr., guard, Alabama
A speed-demon lead guard with a well-rounded skill set, Kira Lewis Jr. has earned his spot in the lottery conversation. He’s a joy to watch offensively, jetting by ill-prepared defenders and pressuring the rim with unfettered ease. In the open court, he’s a marvel.
Lewis has the hallmarks of star NBA guards. He’s explosive off the bounce, and therefore difficult to contain one-on-one. He’s an intelligent passer who is plenty comfortable working out of the pick-and-roll. He’s a good, and still-improving 3-point shooter who can create his own looks. He is, to some degree, the total package.
Still, Lewis is not perfect. He settles too often for floaters, despite his electric first step and blazing speed. He will need to improve as a finisher to unlock the full benefits of his gifts. He could also stand to add weight. He’s listed at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds, which is unavoidably slight. Regardless, he’s one of the best guards in a guard-heavy draft.
6. James Wiseman, big, Memphis
I’ve come around on James Wiseman. He shouldn’t be the first pick, and frankly, he probably shouldn’t be a top-three pick. But at the end of the day, talent trumps all in the draft, and Wiseman has natural talent unlike anyone else on the board. Even amid the changing landscape of NBA basketball in 2020, there’s a viable future in which Wiseman outclasses everyone from this draft.
A 7-footer with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, broad shoulders, and impressive mobility, Wiseman should round into a great rim protector. Put him in a favorable situation with star-level creators, such as Golden State, and he can focus on the skills that he needs to focus on. Among those, of course, is defensive awareness.
On offense, Wiseman has shown signs of a jumper in the past. The next step is stretching that jumper behind the NBA 3-point line and making consistent. From there, he needs to improve as a passer out of the post, and avoid tunnel vision. Joel Embiid syndrome, you could say. He’s definitely flawed, but Wiseman is too intriguing a physical specimen to cast outside the top 10.
5. Anthony Edwards, guard, Georgia
It’s completely valid to question whether or not Anthony Edwards can impact winning in the NBA. He’s not the most valuable archetype — a ball-dominant scorer prone to bad shot selection and severely limited as a facilitator — but again, a lot of drafting comes down to talent. Edwards has been atop draft boards all season for a reason.
At UGA, Edwards was given free reign to chuck shots and carry the offense. He will need to settle down in the NBA, but that may happen by default. He’s a gifted shot-maker with real potential as a No. 1 scorer in the NBA. Charlotte, for example, is an early lottery team in need of a player who can shoulder that burden.
Edwards is a powerful athlete at 6-foot-5, using his chiseled frame to outmuscle and overwhelm most defenders who challenge him en route to the basket. Because of that strength, and the subsequent ability to finish at the rim, that Edwards should settle for fewer contested jumpers.
4. Deni Avdija, wing, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Deni Avdija came off the bench for Maccabi Tel Aviv, a premier program in what is universally considered the second-best basketball league in the world. In fact, he has been with the program since he was 16. Avdija is the real deal, and while he’s not the most exciting Euro prospect in recent memory, he does project as an immediately useful NBA player.
At 6-foot-8, Avdija blends point guard skills with the size of a small power forward. He is legitimately one of the best passers in the draft, with a razor-sharp eye for open teammates. A player of Avdija’s size working out of the pick-and-roll is always deadly, and only more so when you can inverse it and have Avdija screen and roll.
With plenty of craft and touch on interior shots, it would stand to reason that Avdija’s 3-point stroke will improve over time. He has grown considerably in that department of late, but he’s still a streaky and unreliable marksman. That is his swing skill. A consistent 3-point shot transform Avdija from a solid starter to a potential All-Star.
3. Tyrese Haliburton, guard, Iowa State
Injuries prevented Tyrese Haliburton from presenting the entirety of his case in front of the jury, but his testimony was strong enough unfinished. He is a decent bet for Rookie of the Year — the type of prospect who will earn big minutes on a quasi-contending team, and probably help them win games.
While Haliburton is highly unorthodox, he’s also highly impactful. He’s a genius-level playmaker who uses his 6-foot-5 frame to peak over the top of defenders and make reads very few prospects in this draft can make. He doesn’t turn the ball over hardly ever, and he’s also a knockdown shooter — even if his, uh, strange mechanics prevent any real pull-up threat.
Haliburton’s lack of a pull-up jumper may limit his “star” upside, but he’s too clever and too skilled to fail. He’s as sure a bet as you can make to provide at least rotation-level impact. In a draft short on elite prospects, Haliburton is the glue-guy, do-it-all prospect who can win over front offices.
2. Killian Hayes, guard, Ulm
Teams will regret passing on Killian Hayes. He has a real case for No. 1, and despite a lack of exposure to American audiences, he should quickly win fans over. He’s fun to watch, undeniably gifted, and most importantly, well-suited to the modern NBA.
At 6-foot-5, Hayes has great physical tools for the point guard spot. He’s not explosive, but he’s light on his feet and plenty quick. He can turn on the jets and slash to the rim, or use abrupt changes in speed to shake loose for a pull-up jumper. Hayes’ lefty step-back has the look of a trademark move.
Out of the pick-and-roll, Hayes is arguably the best playmaker in the draft. He can make most every pass in the book, and he’s unselfish — a positive and underrated trait when drafting ball-dominant guards. Hayes will need to prove he can survive without the ball, but every sign points to short and long-term success.
1. LaMelo Ball, guard, Illawarra
Arriving here was no cakewalk. LaMelo Ball has serious flaws, and some his counterparts — namely Hayes and Haliburton — have real cases to hold the top spot on my board. In the end, however, it’s Ball. It was always Ball, and it will always be Ball.
At 6-foot-7, Ball is even taller than his brother. He’s also a very different player than his brother, with shifty handles and a feather-soft floater Lonzo could never dream of. LaMelo is streaky from deep, but his soft touch, deep range, and undiluted confidence are all positive indicators.
Of course, LaMelo’s value lies in his playmaking. He is unquestionably the most creative facilitator in this draft. He spent his high school days playing free-flowing, open-court basketball — almost always with the ball in his hands. The result is a unique and exciting, if ultimately flawed, approach to the game.
LaMelo has bust potential, sure. But he also has more star power — more of that unteachable star bravado — than anyone else on this board. He’s the person you bet on at No. 1, whether you’re the Minnesota Timberwolves, or any of the other 29 NBA franchises.