With the 2020 NBA Draft set to begin on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7 pm EST, let’s take a final look at the prospects hopeful to be drafted…
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards
Position: SG
College: Georgia
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’5, 225 lbs
With the Timberwolves dynamic duo of friends Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, their best possible option with the No. 1 pick in the draft is Anthony Edwards, the talented freshman averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in his only year at Georgia. Edwards can add fill the slasher spot alongside D’Angelo Russell as he has an incredible ability to get to the rim and finish.
2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman
Position: C
College: Memphis
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 7’1, 240 lbs
Following the return of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson this season, the Warriors only real hole is size under the basket. Assuming that Golden State ends up using their pick and not trading it, James Wiseman fits the profile of player the Warriors are looking for. At 7’1 he provides an interior force on both sides of the ball. The only downside with Wiseman is that he played so few games in college, but he still averaged an impressive 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks.
3. Charlotte Hornets: Lamelo Ball
Position: PG
College: International/Illawarra Hawks (NBL)
Year: N/A
Height/Weight: 6’7, 181 lbs
Lamelo Ball has been in the spotlight for a while thanks to his family, and he has proven that he has the ability to perform under that spotlight. Ball averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 assists, and 6.8 rebounds this past year for the Illawarra Hawks. The Hornets don’t really have any players on the roster that have the potential to become stars, but Ball could prove to be that player as he brings elite ball-handling and passing to the table, as well as an impressive scoring ability.
4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avidja
Position: SG/SF
College: International/Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)
Year: N/A
Height/Weight: 6’9, 210 lbs
The Bulls have a new general manager in this years draft, after Artūras Karnišovas came over from Denver. Deni Avidja fills a need for Chicago positionally and provides scoring and versatility. Avidja has an innate feel for the game and was able to prove himself in Israel as a “jack-of-all-trades”.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin
Position: PF
College: Dayton
Year: Sophmore
Height/Weight: 6’9, 220 lbs
The Cavaliers are selecting in the lottery for the third straight season, after selecting Darius Garland and Collin Sexton the previous two years. The Cavs are set at the guard position and down low, they need scoring on the wing. Obi Toppin may be the most explosive scorer in this years draft, he has an impressive ability to get to the rim and can also stretch the floor.
6. Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu
Position: PF/C
College: USC
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’9, 235 lbs
Atlanta has plenty of scoring with Trae Young and Kevin Huerter, talented wings in Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter, and a talented big man in John Collins. Onyeka Okongwu would provide an inside presence that sometimes lacks due to the fact that John Collins tends to play on the perimeter. Okungwu averaged 2.7 blocks at USC and is a very physical post-player on offense.
7. Detroit Pistons: Isaac Okoro
Position: SG/SF
College: Auburn
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’6, 215 lbs
The Pistons are in the midst of a rebuild, they have plenty of young talent in Sekou Doumbouya and Christian Wood. In this years draft Detroit should look to add more young talent to develop with what they currently have. The best player left on the board is Isaac Okoro. The young shooting guard/small forward has proven to have elite defensive skill and an ability to finish at the rim.
8. New York Knicks: Tyrese Haliburton
Position: PG
College: Iowa State
Year: Sophmore
Height/Weight: 6’5, 185 lbs
The Knicks are in need of talent, and Tyrese Haliburton has plenty of it. He would give the Knicks another guard that can play alongside RJ Barrett, handling the majority of the playmaking. Haliburton more than doubled his points per game average this season, jumping from 6 last season to 15. He is a very efficient scorer and great at delivering the ball to his teammates.
9. Washington Wizards: Precious Achiuwa
Position: PF
College: Memphis
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’9, 235 lbs
Precious Achiuwa may be considered an under-the-radar player in this years draft, but he is certainly very talented. The Wizards are in need of a post-player, Achiuwa plays with physicality and athleticism. He has the ability to score in the post, as well as rebound and blocks shots on the defensive end. Achiuwa will give Washington a big man that can develop with the help of John Wall in his return next season.
10. Phoenix Suns: Killian Hayes
Position: PG
College: International/Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Year: N/A
Height/Weight: 6’5, 195 lbs
The Suns seem to be on the brink of playoff contention with the continuing development of Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton. Phoenix should be looking to add more young talent, especially a playmaker. Killian Hayes is a steal at 10th and would give the Suns a young talented guard that can deliver the ball and score off the dribble when needed.
11. San Antonio Spurs: Patrick Williams
Position: PF
College: Florida State
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’7, 215 lbs
Patrick Williams is a combo forward that has tremendous upside on both sides of the ball. He is a physical and versatile big man that can defend both forward positions due to his length and athleticism. Williams also gives the Spurs scoring at the basket and shooting mid-range jumpers.
12. Sacramento Kings: Devin Vassell
Position: SG
College: Florida State
Year: Sophmore
Height/Weight: 6’7, 200 lbs
Sacramento has a plethora of young talent with De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Richaun Holmes, and Kyle Guy. After rumors of the Kings set to move on from on of either Bogdanovic or Buddy Hield, they should be looking for wing depth. Devin Vassell may be an excellent 3 and D player in the NBA as his game translates very well to professional basketball. He has a career 41.7% shooting average on 3 pointers and has impressive length and quickness on the defensive end.
13. New Orleans Pelicans: Aaron Nesmith
Position: SG/SF
College: Vanderbilt
Year: Sophmore
Height/Weight: 6’6, 215 lbs
The Pelicans are one of the NBA teams with the most talented young core, and towards the end of the lottery they could look to add another young talented scorer in Aaron Nesmith. His last season at Vanderbilt he averaged 52.2% on 8.2 attempts from 3 a game, an unreal number, as well as 50% from the field and 82.5% from the free throw line. Nesmith would give the Pelicans an elite shooter to pair alongside their young core of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball.
14. Boston Celtics (via MEM): Jalen Smith
Position: PF
College: Maryland
Year: Sophmore
Height/Weight: 6’10, 220 lbs
With the final pick in the lottery, the Celtics should draft Jalen Smith. A big, physical forward that fills a need for Boston as a rebounder and rim-protector. Smith averaged 2.4 blocks and 10.5 rebounds per game last season at Maryland, as well as 15.5 points.
15. Orlando Magic: Tyrese Maxey
Position: SG
College: Kentucky
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’3, 200 lbs
The Orlando Magic are in need of scoring and Tyrese Maxey from Kentucky has both the ability to get to the rim and score from mid-range. He would give the Magic an off-the-ball scorer as well as an excellent scorer in the pick-and-roll. While Maxey may struggle at times with consistency, he is very efficient driving to the basket and from 10-15 feet from the cup.
16. Portland Trail Blazers: RJ Hampton
Position: PG
College: International/New Zealand Breakers (New Zealand)
Year: N/A
Height/Weight: 6’4, 175 lbs
Of the players left on the board at No. 16, RJ Hampton has the most upside. The Blazers likely won’t be able to pick a player at this point that can make an immediate impact and may need to look in the trade or free agent markets to fill their holes. RJ Hampton is a good ball-handler, has the ability to get to the rim and finish, and has defensive potential making him a good fit for Portland where he will have the chance to develop.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via BKN): Saddiq Bey
Position: PF
College: Villanova
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6’8, 215 lbs
The Timberwolves second pick in this draft should provide them with a presence down-low and defensive versatility, Saddiq Bey fits that description. He can play either small forward or power forward and can defend 2-4, Bey is also a great perimeter shooter who has the ability to play off screens driving to the basket or in the post.
18. Dallas Mavericks: Kira Lewis Jr.
Position: PG
College: Alabama
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6’3, 170 lbs
Kira Lewis may be the quickest player in this years draft. Has shown improvements in his perimeter shooting and court vision, he could improve defensively but would be a steal this late in the draft and provides Dallas with depth at the point guard position.
19. Brooklyn Nets (via PHI): Cole Anthony
Position: PG
College: North Carolina
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’3, 190 lbs
With the return of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving next season, the Nets are poised to be a title contender and shouldn’t be looking for anyone in the draft that will play major minutes or have an immediate impact. Cole Anthony fits in with Brooklyn as a player who can eventually play with the second unit. He is listed as a point guard but fits more naturally as a shooting guard in the NBA due to his great scoring and shooting ability.
20. Miami Heat: Jaden McDaniels
Position: PF
College: Washington
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’10, 200 lbs
Fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals, Miami is in search of a return. With most of their roster returning next season, they should be in contention again. At No. 20, the talented forward Jaden McDaniels from Washington would be a treasure for the Heat. McDaniels has proven he can defend both forward positions and is skilled offensively, both in the post and on the perimeter.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (via OKC): Tyrell Terry
Position: PG
College: Stanford
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’3, 170 lbs
Tyrell Terry is a talented guard from Stanford who shot 40.8% from beyond the arc last season. He would give the 76ers a backup guard who can shoot the ball effectively and make his teammates better with his passing ability. He has previously stated that his during pre-draft interview he had, “great communication…” with the team.
22. Denver Nuggets (via HOU): Aleksej Pokusevski
Position: PF/C
College: International/Olympiacos Piraeus (Greece)
Year: N/A
Height/Weight: 7’0, 190 lbs
The Serbian big man, a type of player the Nuggets seem to love, would be an excellent pick at No. 22 for Denver. Aleksej was a very talented young player in Greece, he is the only player in the draft still younger than 19. Although he is young, he has tremendous potential as a scorer and rebounder.
23. Utah Jazz: Josh Green
Position: SG
College: Arizona
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’6, 215 lbs
The Jazz need talented young players to fill spots on their roster. While Josh Green may not be fully NBA ready yet, he is viewed as a player who can become an elite two-way player. He is an all-around player that can shoot the ball as well as take over ball-handling duties if necessary.
24. Milwaukee Bucks (via IND): Theo Maledon
Position: PG
College: International/ASVEL Basket (France)
Year: N/A
Height/Weight: 6’5, 185 lbs
Theo Maledon is a talented French point guard who has length and size and the position, giving him the ability to defend other point guards, as well as shooting guards. He is a good shooter who keeps mistakes to a minimum and has an impressive ability to distribute the ball. With the Bucks guard depth beginning to slim down, due to the potential departures of Eric Bledsoe and Wesley Matthews, Milwaukee will need a backup point guard and Maledon fits the bill.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via DEN): Leandro Bolmaro
Position: PG/SG
College: International/FC Barcelona (Spain)
Year: N/A
Height/Weight: 6’6, 180 lbs
Oklahoma City has 16 first round draft picks between 2020 and 2026, this should give them plenty of freedom to use those picks in trades or acquire young talent in those drafts. One of the best international prospects in this years draft could be the answer for the Thunder at No. 25. Bolmaro can play any perimeter position with impressive athleticism, speed, and energy.
26. Boston Celtics: Tyler Bey
Position: SF/PF
College: Georgia
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 6’7, 215 lbs
The Boston Celtics second pick of this draft has them selecting Tyler Bey out of Colorado. Bey is a tremendous athlete that, although a little small for his position, does not seem to be small due to his length and quickness. He can defend essentially 1-5 and is quick to protect the rim. He has the ability to stretch the floor on offense and get to the rim.
27. New York Knicks (via LAC): Robert Woodard II
Position: SG/SF
College: Mississippi State
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6’7, 230 lbs
Robert Woodard II is a talented wing player that can get to the rim on offense as well as shoot on the perimeter, he averaged 43.0% on three pointers last season. He has the defensive ability to defend 1-4 and can become a great 3 and D player.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAL): Xavier Tillman
Position: PF/C
College: Michigan State
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6’9, 265 lbs
With the Lakers reportedly trading the No. 28 pick and Danny Green to Oklahoma City in return for Dennis Schröder, the Lakers will make this pick for the Thunder and the trade will be officially completed following the draft (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN). Xavier Tillman is a big body in the post who proved important to the Spartans for his two seasons there, impacting the ball on both sides of the ball. He is an excellent defender, as he was named Big-Ten Defensive Player of the Year this past season.
29. Toronto Raptors: Isaiah Stewart
Position: PF/C
College: Washington
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’8, 245 lbs
Isaiah Stewart is an athletic big man with the ability to play above the rim and crash the boards. With both Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol set to hit free agency, Toronto is in need of big men. He has the body to compete with most big men in the post and is an excellent rebounder.
30. Boston Celtics (via MIL): Nico Mannion
Position: PG
College: Arizona
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6’3, 190 lbs
The final pick of the first round is the third pick for the Boston Celtics and this time they select Nico Mannion out of Arizona. He is a crafty guard comfortable in the pick-and-roll, he can create for himself and is confident delivering the ball to teammates. Given the opportunity to play behind Kemba Walker would give Mannion the chance to further develop his game.
All stats and information taken from NBA.com, ESPN.com, Basketball Reference, or NBADraft.net unless otherwise stated.
