2020 NBA Mock Draft – 11/11/20 – Sports Gaming Rosters

The draft is a week away, and the only thing we know is that we know nothing at all.

I do not project, or even talk about, possible trades. Assume all of these picks are available for the right price.

Pick #	Name	Analysis
2020 NBA Mock Draft – 10/23/20
1	PG LaMelo Ball, United States – 6’7, 185 lbs	The Timberwolves probably have no idea who they want to take here. This is a bad draft, during a pandemic. It is chaos. I have been mocking LaMelo Ball here for the most part, and I see no reason to switch it up. He has his warts, but plays an exciting brand of basketball that could get a few people interested in Minnesota basketball again.
2	C James Wiseman, Memphis – 7’0, 254 lbs	Like all of the others in this draft, James Wisesman is a polarizing prospect. He has the ability to be a great inside scorer/rebounder/lob finisher, but also could flame out as a big man who does not shoot well or play inspired defense. I would personally go with Onyeka Okongwu here, but all signs point to Wiseman.
3	C Onyeka Okongwu, USC – 6’9, 245 lbs	A PER lover’s dream, Onyeka Okongwu can do a little bit of everything for your team, whether it’s scoring, rebounding or playing defense. I believe he is a better prospect than Anthony Edwards, and, even though I do not condone bad teams going need over talent, fills a much bigger need in Charlotte.
4	SG Anthony Edwards, Georgia – 6’3, 225 lbs	Anthony Edwards had an up and down lone college season, but it was plain to see he was trying to do everything on a bad Georgia team. His pre-draft process has reportedly not been good, but he is too talented to pass on here. More scoring is never a bad thing, and Chicago will have a few capable guards now.
5	SF Deni Avdija, Israel – 6’9, 226 lbs	This pick should come down to Obi Toppin and Deni Avdija. Avdija works much better with Cleveland’s current time line. He has a ton of experience and is more rugged than most young European prospects.
6	PG Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State – 6’5, 186 lbs	Trae Young is great at what he does, but he is not a defender. Tyrese Haliburton would be a very nice back court compliment. He is not the most athletic, but he is a willing defender and capable ball handler. His catch and shoot ability would be particularly dangerous next to Young.
7	PF Patrick Williams, Florida State – 6’8, 225 lbs	I will buy in to the Patrick Williams to Detroit promise rumors. It makes sense. Detroit is clearly starting over, and will have no problem waiting for Williams to develop. He is the youngest player in this draft, but has top five talent and ability.
8	PF Obi Toppin, Dayton – 6’8, 218 lbs	This is a better spot for the reigning NCAA MVP. Obi Toppin is a good player, but a 22 year old glue guy would probably be an unfair bust if he was taken in the top five. He is the rare rookie who could get some run playing for new Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. Think new school Kenneth Faried.
9	SF Isaac Okoro, Auburn – 6’6, 225 lbs	Really solid fit here. The Wizards still hope to make the Bradley Beal/John Wall back court work. Repairing a broken defensive scheme should be priority number one. Isaac Okoro is the best on the ball defender in this class, and his shooting ability should continue to improve.
10	PF Precious Achiuwa, Memphis – 6’9, 234 lbs	Perhaps a slight reach, but Precious Achiuwa would be a great fit for a Suns team looking to make a playoff push. His offense is limited to putback and short jumpers right now, but his his hustle and defense would help Phoenix immediately.
11	SG Killian Hayes, France – 6’5, 216 lbs	A full rebuild for this long time winning franchise is inevitable, and Killian Hayes would be a great start here. He is still a project, but could be a matchup nightmare as a strong ball handing scorer. The Spurs could do worse than a three man guard lineup composed of Hayes, Derrick White and Dejounte Murray.
12	SF Devin Vassell, Florida State – 6’6, 194 lbs	Devin Vassell is the type of player any team can draft and feel comfortable about adding. He can shoot and play willing defense. Basically the blueprint of a wing bench player. He could be thrust into a larger role if the Kings move on from Bogdan Bogdanovic and/or Buddy Hield.
13	PF Jalen Smith, Maryland – 6’10, 225 lbs	If Jalen Smith were a better athlete, we would be talking about a top ten pick, but he has worked so hard to get himself in the late lottery range. He does everything that teams look for in a modern day big man. Smith can shoot the ball, run the floor and block shots. A great compliment to Zion Williamson and Jaxson Hayes in the Pelicans front court.
14	SF Saddiq Bey, Villanova – 6’7, 216 lbs	The Celtics would love to package some picks and move up, but this is a weak draft, and bad teams would rather have one good player than a few average ones. Well coached, Bey is a good three point shooter and a guy who can handle the ball a bit. A safe pick to have, at the least, a solid bench career.
15	PG Kira Lewis Jr., Alabama – 6’3, 165 lbs	Alabama had one of the fastest paced offenses in college basketball last year, and Kira Lewis was a big reason why. He is perhaps the quickest player in this class. The Magic want someone who can push Markelle Fultz at point guard.
16	SF Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt – 6’7, 215 lbs	Aaron Nesmith is coming off of a serious injury, but the delay of the 20-21 season should work in his favor. Nesmith is one of many solid, experienced wing shooters available in this class. The Blazers are always looking for players who can compliment their two ball dominating guards.
17	PG Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky – 6’3, 198 lbs	FROM BRK. Sure, Minnesota has quite a few guards already, but Maxey is too talented to pass up here. He got lost in times amongst all of Kentucky’s depth, but could be a nightmare scoring matchup for opposing backup guards to contain.
18	SG RJ Hampton, United States – 6’5, 185 lbs	RJ Hampton has top ten talent, but he did not develop as hoped his year in Australia, shooting a low percentage. A project to be sure, but he could pay off big for a Dallas team that needs some young depth.
19	SG Desmond Bane, TCU – 6’6, 217 lbs	FROM PHI. Yeah, seniors still get drafted in the first round! Desmond Bane isn’t flashy, but he has a ton of experience and will provide solid shooting and defense off the bench. There are nothing but guards available at this portion of the draft.
20	C Aleksej Pokusevski, Serbia – 7’0, 190 lbs	FROM MEM. The Heat want to save every penny possible for a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo run in 2021. Aleksej Pokusevski is the top draft and stash prospect available. He has talent, but needs to put on a good 30 to 40 pounds of muscle before he thinks about a move to the NBA.
21	SG Josh Green, Arizona – 6’6, 210 lbs	Josh Green can shoot the ball and play some solid defense. Do you see a theme? Teams are always looking for guys who can make an impact without the ball in their hands, especially at this point in the draft, where established veterans are in place.
22	SF Tyler Bey, Colorado – 6’7, 215 lbs	FROM HOU. Tyler Bey will never be a fantasy darling, but he is the perfect type of player for a playoff team to add. He chips in a bit everywhere on defense, and will not hurt you when shooting the ball. Basically a younger Torrey Craig for the Nuggets to mold.
23	PG Cole Anthony, North Carolina – 6’3, 190 lbs	Cole Anthony did not shoot the ball well or do a great job of playing the point guard position during a disastrous season for the Tar Heels, but has the ability to provide some Austin Rivers-like instant offense off the bench. The Jazz have backup minutes at guard to spare.
24	PG Theo Maledon, France – 6’5, 187 lbs	FROM IND. There is talent here, but Theo Maledon just has not produced yet. He has good size and could develop into a starter with the right coaching. He would be buried on the bench in Milwaukee, who would probably prefer to move this pick for immediate help.
25	SF Jaden McDaniels, Washington – 6’10, 201	FROM DEN. Jaden McDaniels and the Washington Huskies were a big disappointment in 2019-2020, but there is enough talent here for a team to invest a late first round pick. Especially a Thunder team that is always looking for bargains.
26	SG Leandro Bolmaro, Spain – 6’7, 185 lbs	The Celtics do not want to use up three roster spots on rookies, so if they cannot package any picks, expect a Euro prospect or two. Leandro Bolmaro is pretty maxed out development wise, but Boston could still try to keep him in Europe for a year or two.
27	PG Malachi Flynn, San Diego State – 6’2, 185 lbs	FROM LAC. The Knicks will undoubtedly come out of this draft with a point guard. There are so many to choose from here. Malachi Flynn helped lead the Aztecs to it’s best season ever, and would be a very solid backup guard who will not make very many mistakes.
28	C Isaiah Stewart, Washington – 6’9, 250 lbs	Players like Isaiah Stewart are not in high demand these days, but a team like the Lakers, who play a more traditional style of basketball, could go after him. Stewart is a strong post player who could play the Dwight Howard role for Los Angeles.
29	C Zeke Nnaji, Arizona – 6’11, 240 lbs	The Raptors have a lot of decisions to make with front court personnel. Zeke Nnaji will not help right away, but could develop into a homeless man’s Serge Ibaka.
30	C Udoka Azubuike, Kansas – 7’0, 270 lbs	Udoka Azubuike battled weight and injury issues during his first three years at Kansas, but put it all together during a dominating senior season. He should develop into a starter as a guy who does the dirty work and plays solid defense.

Round Two

31. Dallas Mavericks (from GS) – C Vernon Carey Jr., Duke
32. Charlotte Hornets (from CLE) – SF Robert Woodard II, Mississippi State
33. Minnesota Timberwolves – SF Jordan Nwora, Louisville
34. Philadelphia 76ers (from ATL) – PG Tyrell Terry, Stanford
35. Sacramento Kings (from DET) – PG Devon Dotson, Kansas
36. Philadelphia 76ers (from NY) – PG Abdoulaye N’Doye, France
37. Washington Wizards (from CHI) – PF Paul Reed, DePaul
38. New York Knicks (from WAS) – SG Jahmi’us Ramsey, Texas Tech
39. New Orleans Pelicans (from WAS) – PG Cassius Winston, Michigan State
40. Memphis Grizzlies (from PHX) – SG Immanuel Quickley, Kentucky
41. San Antonio Spurs – C Xavier Tillman, Michigan State
42. New Orleans Pelicans – PF Paul Eboua, Cameroon
43. Sacramento Kings – PG Tre Jones, Duke
44. Chicago Bulls (from MEM) – C Reggie Perry, Mississippi State
45. Orlando Magic – PG Nico Mannion, Arizona
46. Portland Trail Blazers – SG Elijah Hughes, Syracuse
47. Boston Celtics (from BRK) – SF Kenyon Martin Jr., United States
48. Golden State Warriors (from DAL) – SG Cassius Stanley, Duke
49. Philadelphia 76ers – PF Biram Faye, Senegal
50. Atlanta Hawks (from MIA) – PG Grant Riller, Charleston
51. Golden State Warriors (from UTA) – PG Yam Madar, Israel
52. Sacramento Kings (from HOU) – PF Daniel Oturu, Minnesota
53. Oklahoma City Thunder – PF Borisa Simanic, Serbia
54. Indiana Pacers – SG Isaiah Joe, Arkansas
55. Brooklyn Nets (from DEN) – PG Markus Howard, Marquette
56. Charlotte Hornets (from BOS) – C Nick Richards, Kentucky
57. Los Angeles Clippers – PF Killian Tillie, Gonzaga
58. Philadelphia 76ers (from LAL) – SG Jay Scrubb, United States
59. Toronto Raptors – PG Payton Pritchard, Oregon
60. New Orleans Pelicans (from MIL) – C Kaleb Wesson, Ohio State