2020 NBA Lottery Mock Draft
The 2020 NBA Draft Lottery has been completed, with the Minnesota Timberwolves earning the number one pick in the draft. This is a time for struggling teams to find that perfect piece to move their franchises to the next level. The lottery picks are always the most interesting because they have the highest expectations coming in. Some prospects will live up to the hype, and some will become busts. It is up to the general managers to decide which player will be the one to help their franchise moving forward.
This year is different than last year because there is not a clear cut “Zion.” There are about 4–5 guys who all look like they could be the best player in the draft. How a player fits in a team becomes slightly more important for the teams drafting high.
With that out of the way, it is time to present the 2020 NBA lottery mock draft.
1. Obi Toppin, Minnesota Timberwolves
This may not be the obvious choice, but Obi Toppin is a guy with an immediate upside. This is exactly what Minnesota needs, considering they already have two young stars who are reaching their primes. With D’Angelo Russell playing point guard and Karl-Anthony Towns playing center, the list of top selections gets narrowed down quite a bit. The National Player of the Year is an athletic power forward who can do it all on offense.
2. James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors
This is another pick where fit plays a huge factor. Wiseman is a 7'1 physical specimen who has a nice touch around the rim. He has the upside to be a franchise center, but for now, he would be a great fit as a starter for this team. The Warriors are in an interesting position because they already have a title-contending roster coming into next year. They will use this pick to fill out any weaknesses in the roster. The center position is undoubtedly a place they have lacked, so Wiseman just might be a perfect choice.
3. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Despite all of the questions around LaMelo, it is hard to deny the upside with this pick. He has shown signs of greatness and maturity in his play overseas this past year. Charlotte should take the best player that they can get regardless of position and build around that. Maybe this pick will give the Hornets a sense of direction.
4. Deni Avdija, Chicago Bulls
Chicago is a guard-heavy team, so it wouldn’t necessarily make sense to draft a player like Edwards or Hayes. This makes Avdija a tempting option. He is a point forward type of player who was the Israeli League MVP. With a couple of pieces in place already, Chicago may just look at the upside of this pick and try to run with it.
5. Anthony Edwards, Cleveland Cavaliers
The current Cavs roster is a mess, so it doesn’t really matter who they select with this pick. Edwards provides them with a player that has superstar potential right out of the gate. They will need to trade either Garland or Sexton to make this pick work, but in the long run, it just makes sense to take the best player available.
6. Isaac Okoro, Atlanta Hawks
Isaac Okoro is a 3-and-D player that the Hawks can definitely use in their rebuild. With offensively dominant players like Trae Young and John Collins leading the charge, it is essential to have a starting-caliber player that can provide steady defense on the perimeter. Okoro is the guy in this draft that fits that caliber.
7. Killian Hayes, Detroit Pistons
Killian Hayes is an exceptional playmaker that can be a leading point guard for a franchise. Derrick Rose isn’t going to be a good player forever, so it might be time to look to Detroit’s future. Hayes was the FIBA U16 MVP just three years ago. He has continued to develop and definitely passes the eye test as a player.
8. Tyrese Haliburton, New York Knicks
New York has needed a point guard for God knows how long. Hopefully, they can finally find their guy with Tyrese Haliburton. He isn’t the most exciting pick available, but he can be a sturdy option for this struggling roster. Take that for what it’s worth.
9. Cole Anthony, Washington Wizards
The Wizards have some decent pieces at every position, but it wouldn’t hurt to pick a point guard if John Wall can’t return to full health. Cole Anthony is a player who was excellent in high school but had an injury that set him back a bit in the rankings. The potential is still there, and he could be the next point guard in line if John Wall doesn’t work out.
10. Kira Lewis Jr., Phoenix Suns
The Suns have a really good roster to build around, and for once, they have a sense of direction. This pick is one that is going to give them an additional piece to win some games. Kira Lewis Jr. can provide more depth at the guard position. He is a quick and flashy guard who can play along with Booker for many years to come if he meets his potential.
11. Patrick Williams, San Antonio Spurs
Patrick Williams is a forward who has a significant upside. The Spurs seem to love developing players, so Williams might be the next project they take on. As one of the lead players on a superb Florida State team last year, Williams showed his ability to be a high-level defender. He will be an excellent fit for this young San Antonio roster.
12. Onyeka Okongwu, Sacramento Kings
With Harry Giles being the only center on the Kings, Onyeka just makes sense at this pick. He is a traditional big who has shown great flashes of post scoring and interior defense. He is not a franchise center by any means, but he can be a good starter in the future.
13. Devin Vassell, New Orleans Pelicans
Devin Vassell was another leader on the Florida State roster. His stats do not stand out, but his shooting ability does. The Pelicans can definitely use a knock-down three-point shooter for the future. He will fit well with the young core of this Pelicans team.
14. R.J. Hampton, Boston Celtics
Rounding out the lottery is the Boston Celtics. They are a championship contender looking to add small pieces, so expect them to take a risk with this pick. Hampton was a highly regarded prospect who decided to take a different route of playing professional instead of college. This exposed some flaws in his game, but the upside is still there. I think the Celtics will look at this and decide to go for it since they have nothing to lose.
