knickels 2020 nba mock draft

Leave a comment

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia

LaMelo Ball should be the #1 pick but Minnesota already having D’Angelo Russell at point guard could lead them to choosing Edwards instead.

2. Golden State Warriors: LaMelo Ball, G, Illawarra Hawks

Golden State plays at an up-tempo pace, and while James Wiseman is very mobile for his size, Ball would be a better fit if they’re trying to stick with a small-ball lineup.

3. Charlotte Hornets: James Wiseman, C, Memphis

Michael Jordan would ecstatic if Wiseman fell to three.

4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija, F, Israel

Otto Porter is in the final year of his contract but the Bulls need a SF regardless even if Porter wasn’t.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Onyeka Okongwu, C/F, USC

Andre Drummond is in the final year of his contract and Kevin Love has been trying to leave Cleveland since the beginning of time. So the Cavs are going to need a big man.

6. Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State

There’s a strong chance Atlanta could trade their pick but if they don’t, they’d get a great three-point shooter in Haliburton.

7. Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes, G, Ulm

Detroit has a lot of needs but they need a PG for the future, and Hayes would have a great mentor in Derrick Rose.

8. New York Knicks: Kira Lewis, G, Alabama

It’d be foolish if the Knicks didn’t take Lewis here. He’s one of the most underrated point guards in this draft class.

9. Washington Wizards: Devin Vassell, G/F, Florida State

Washington needs a SF, and Vassell can play the three or the two if Washington ever decides to trade Bradley Beal.

10. Phoenix Suns: Obi Toppin, F, Dayton

A duo of Toppin and Deandre Ayton is a scary sight.

11. San Antonio Spurs: Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova

The Spurs get a great shooter to help cover up DeMar DeRozan’s weakness in perimeter shooting.

12. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Nesmith, F/G, Vanderbilt

Assuming his recovering foot injury isn’t an issue, the Kings get arguably the best wing shooter in this draft class.

13. New Orleans: Isaac Okoro, F, Auburn

JJ Redick and Brandon Ingram are liabilities when it comes to perimeter defense, and that’s where Okoro comes in.  

14. Boston Celtics (from Memphis): Patrick Williams, F, Florida St

With how much Williams is raved about, he would be considered a steal with this pick.

15. Orlando Magic: Cole Anthony, G, North Carolina

Orlando needs a PG and Anthony would be a steal at this spot.

16. Detroit Pistons (From Houston): Precious Achiuwa, F/C, Memphis

Achiuwa’s has been all over the place, but make no mistake, he was a flat-out baller at Memphis, and he can contribute right away for Detroit.

17. Minnesota (From Brooklyn): Jalen Smith, F/C, Maryland

Smith is a big man that moves well enough that he wouldn’t slow down Minnesota’s offense even though they have Karl Anthony Towns at center. Minnesota would come away with two great picks here.

18. Dallas Mavericks: RJ Hampton, G, New Zealand Breakers

Dallas could use an athletic guard to play with or behind Luka Doncic.

19. Brooklyn (From Philadelphia): Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington

McDaniels is going to need time to develop and with all the stars Brooklyn may potentially have on that team, McDaniels can take his time and learn from someone like a Kevin Durant.

20. Miami Heat: Zeke Nnaji, F/C, Arizona

Drafting Nnaji would allow Jae Crowder to slide from PF to SF and let Duncan Robinson come off the bench, or Nnaji would be a solid backup for Bam Adebayo.

21. Philadelphia 76ers (From OKC): Desmond Bane, G/F, TCU

For some reason Philadelphia seems to be allergic to getting perimeter shooters, but hopefully Doc Rivers breaks that curse and drafts a good one.

22. Denver Nuggets (From Houston): Tyler Bey, F, Colorado

Denver needs defense, and the 2020 Pac-12 DPOY is one of the best defenders in this draft class.

23. New York Knicks (From Utah): Leandro Bolmaro, G, Texas Tech

It seems New York traded up a few spots from the 27th pick to use this pick to trade up in the top 10. With the Knicks’ luck I doubt it’ll happen but at least they get to stash a prospect like Bolmaro.   

24. New Orleans Pelicans (From Indiana): Aleksej Pokuševski, F/C, Olympiacos B

The Pelicans can take their time developing this prospect.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (From Denver): Isaiah Stewart, C/F

Stewart could be a promising player at the PF spot for OKC.

26. Boston Celtics: Vernon Carey, C, Duke

Would be a terrific pickup for the Celtics because they desperately need a center.

27. Utah Jazz (From NY): Theo Maledon, G, ASVEL

Maledon is strongly projected to go much higher than this spot so this would technically be a steal for a team that could use a young point guard. 

28. Oklahoma City (From Lakers): Josh Green, G, Arizona

Green’s draft stock has been climbing steadily this offseason and OKC could snag him right at the end of the first round.

29. Toronto Raptors: Tre Jones, G, Duke

Kyle Lowry has one year left on his contract, and it’s left to be seen if Fred VanVleet will come back to Toronto.

30. Boston Celtics: Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford

The Celtics have shown interest in the PG, and could use him as backup behind Kemba Walker.

Link to the Original (please click the link): https://adeathletics.wordpress.com/2020/11/18/2020-nba-mock-draft/