2020 NBA Mock Drafts

Mock Trade from: GS

Minnesota is in win-now mode after acquiring D'Angelo Russell to complement Karl-Anthony Towns, and so here they make a move up the board to No. 1 to ensure Anthony Edwards is part of that immediate future. The one-and-done Georgia standout should be capable of playing off Russell as a wing piece who can create, and he has the requisite athletic ability to affect the game as his skills catch up to his potential.

Even with Andre Drummond intending to opt-in for 2020-21, the center spot in Cleveland could remain a focal point. And since the Cavs have used their highest first-round picks in consecutive years in an effort to bolster their backcourt, here I'm projecting they go big in Onyeka Okongwu -- the most polished center prospect in this class. He's a monster who can defend from paint to perimeter and should give the back end of that Cavs defense some real teeth as a rim-protecting threat right away.

Mock Trade from: MIN

With basketball on delay state-side, Deni Avdija is boosting his stock overseas in the restart of Maccabi Tel Aviv's season by flashing a more lean frame and shooting more consistently, averaging 20.5 points in his first two games back. The Israeli star would be a perfect fit in Golden State's selfless system where he could thrive as a secondary playmaker along Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson who can keep the ball moving, and it'd be a win for Golden State to get a talent like him while trading out of the No. 1 spot.

Mock Trade from: ATL

With top prospect LaMelo Ball unexpectedly falling in this mock, the Knicks make their move up the board and get their guy. The 6-foot-6 LaMelo Ball is the best playmaker in this class and would give the Knicks not just the biggest potential star prospect in this class, but also a franchise point guard to build around as they look to upgrade the position.

As Derrick Rose inches closer to the end of his current deal, Detroit may look ahead and consider a reset at its point guard position. Killian Hayes can give them youth in that endeavor and a top-end talent to build around long-term to boot. The 18-year-old is a crisp passer and good decision maker who has grown considerably as a playmaker on the ball over the last year. He's not flashy, but he's a safe pick with a high floor, giving the Pistons a competent guard to groom for their future.

Mock Trade from: NY

Atlanta needs to add to its depth at wing and upgrade defensively, and here -- after a trade-down with the Knicks -- they can do both with Isaac Okoro. The 6-6 Auburn one-and-done is a Swiss Army knife-defender with a laser-sharp basketball brain who can impact winning without needing the ball. His IQ, defensive versatility and NBA-ready frame should make him a plug-and-play weapon at Atlanta's disposal.

Mock Trade from: CHI

Another MOCK TRADE. This would be a further-than-expected fall for Wiseman, seen by some evaluators not just as the draft's best big, but as the best overall prospect. But there's a dearth of landing spots for bigs at the top of this draft. So Wiseman's draft plunge gets the Wizards to pull the trigger and move up, making Washington a winner here. He's a plug-and-play shot-blocker who can finish around the rim and has shown good touch to potentially extend his range consistently beyond the 3-point line.

Charlotte ranked 28th (out of 30) this season in offensive rating prior to the pandemic. Anthony's a do-it-all scorer who can get hot in a hurry with versatility to play either on or off the ball. He'd be a great fit alongside Devonte' Graham, Miles Bridges and PJ Washington as they continue building through the draft.

Mock Trade from: WAS

This is probably the floor for Toppin, one of the most gifted athletes and leapers in this class. The reigning National Player of the Year is a dynamic offensive weapon who admittedly has flaws on defense, but what he can bring as an athletic, do-it-all force around the bucket could do wonders for a Chicago franchise already with some nice weapons in its backcourt.

Before a season-ending foot injury in January, Nesmith shot 52.2% from 3-point range through 14 games -- a breakneck pace that would have made him one of only three players in the last 20 years to shoot above 50% from deep on 200+ attempts, per college basketball reference. He's the most lethal shooter in this draft. That's exactly the skill set Phoenix -- with Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton -- needs to complement them as they continue to build.

For a team like the Spurs that values versatility and has already had immense success scouting the international route before, Th?o Maledon seems like a win-win proposition in this range. The French guard can play on or off the ball with an improving jumper that should translate to early success. His blend of shot creation and shot making should fit into a Spurs team that could use an infusion of both in their backcourt.

As the Pelicans construct their roster around Zion Williamson, shooting and defense will be key traits to look for in role players. Devin Vassell ticks both boxes with ease. He's an NBA-ready 3-and-D type wing who shot above 41% from 3-point range in each of his two college seasons, and he should be ready to step in and contribute defensively from Day One.

Shooting 29.2% from 3-point range in his lone college season at Kentucky dinged Tyrese Maxey's stock, but he'll add instant value in Sac-town as an elite on-ball defender and tough-to-stop driver, giving the Kings a change-of-pace option alongside De'Aaron Fox.

Portland's backcourt is already a load, but adding a player like Tyrese Haliburton could take things to a new level. He's an efficient 3-point shooter, long and disruptive defender, and one of my favorite draft prospects because of his smarts on both ends of the floor. The Trail Blazers could be a nice landing spot for him as he grows into his thin frame but even with that to overcome, he's a player who could contribute on this team because of his smart passing, selfless approach and winning track record.

Traded from: BKN

Orlando should consider a point guard in this draft regardless of how the future of Markelle Fultz turns out, and so here I'm giving them Kira Lewis Jr. Magic fans: You are welcome. You just got the fastest and most underrated point guard in this draft at No. 15 overall. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 assists last season for Alabama ... and just turned 19 in April. The sky is the limit for him. He has an incredible pull-up game, plays with breakneck pace and loves attacking. Just wait until he figures out how to change gears outside turbo speed.

Mock Trade from: MIN

Dallas sees an opening and takes it, jumping up two spots to secure the rights to draft one of the best 3-and-D prospects in this class in Saddiq Bey. The Villanova product shot a whopping 45.1% from 3-point range last season on high volume, and he can defend 1-4 to boot. His consistency as a two-way force and spot-up shooter should be a real asset for Luka Doncic's Mavs.

Traded from: MEM

Danny Ainge values versatility and in Precious Achiuwa he could find plenty. The Memphis product should be a productive power forward but could also be a lethal small-ball five in some situations with the way his motor always runs hot. He's a tenacious rebounder, rim-runner and shot-blocker -- a trio of skills Boston could put to use right away. Even with the emergence of Daniel Theis, reliable depth in the frontcourt has been a sore spot for Boston all season.

Mock Trade from: DAL

Give Minnesota all the backcourt depth. After grabbing Anthony Edwards at No. 1 in a trade-up, the Wolves trade down and get a high-upside combo guard in RJ Hampton. He played overseas in the NBL last season and while he struggled on both ends of the floor, the 19-year-old has an intriguing blend of athleticism, shot-creation and ball-handling that makes him a smart bet in this range of the draft.

Traded from: IND

Josh Green's got 3-and-D role player written all over him. He's a smart cutter, reliable 3-point shooter, and heady defender who impacts winning in various ways and knows his role. That combination could be what the doctor ordered for the Bucks as they add assets around Giannis.

Traded from: PHI

Patrick Williams has good length and size and should be a popular prospect teams target in this range given his upside. He's still raw and underdeveloped as an offensive player, but he's shown good touch, can disrupt the game on defense with his length, and could be a high-level role player for a team like Brooklyn with an established presence of stars already in place.

Traded from: OKC

Consider this to be Al Horford insurance. Xavier Tillman is a Horford mirror, too: a low-usage big who affects winning by setting screens, rebounding and being a defensive menace. He's not the most flashy big but he plays bigger than his size and should be an upgrade to Philly's frontcourt.

Traded from: HOU

Despite his throwback style of play, Isaiah Stewart has a new-age impact on winning as an energizing big who can block shots, finish around the rim and score it efficiently. As a freshman at UW last season he ranked third among all Pac-12 players in Player Efficiency Rating (PER), and led the league in total rebounds. He's shown some touch as a shooter, too, and potentially with development could become a floor-spacer.

Miami has the DNA of a contender and an investment in the point guard position is long overdue. Here, they can add quality depth in Tre Jones, a smart decision-maker who can run an offense and operate as a menace on the defensive end of the floor at the point of attack. At the very least he should be a competent second unit guard who knows how to make high-level reads and still has a chance to be effective on offense, as he showed marked improvement as a shooter in his sophomore season at Duke.

Mock Trade from: UTA

Another mock trade, and this one a true stunner as the Celtics move up to get small school superstar Grant Riller. Riller is a seasoned college player who grew into a killer shot-maker as Charleston's lead guard, and in the NBA he should find a role as a reliable offensive weapon with the array in which he can knock down shots. He lacks no confidence and could be a Lou Williams-like sixth man for the Cs who can attack and create for himself and his teammates.

Traded from: DEN

Sam Presti loves himself some high-upside athletes who have length, so of course Jaden McDaniels fits the profile. He struggled a bit at Washington with consistency but the 6-foot-9 combo forward has some real potential with a polished handle and pull-up game that stands out for his size and position.

Mock Trade from: BOS

Utah's point guard depth is a real weak spot for a team that coming into the season was tabbed as a contender in the West. Devon Dotson can make it less so. He's a downhill driver who can create and embraces his role as a disruptive defender on the perimeter, two critical traits that the Jazz may find valuable in a pairing with Donovan Mitchell.

Traded from: LAC

The Knicks were the fourth-worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA next season, and their depth at shooting guard is an area they need to address. Getting Desmond Bane can accomplish the killing of two birds with one (draft pick). He ranked second among all Big 12 players last season in 3-point shooting percentage (44.2%), and with four college seasons under his belt, has the experience to step in and contribute right away.

The center position is the oldest on the Raptors roster and is ripe for addressing, making Vernon Carey Jr. a potential fit here. The Duke big man is a tenacious rebounder and, somewhat uniquely, an incredible foul-drawer: last season he ranked third in Division I in fouls drawn per-40 minutes. His physical style of play on both ends of the floor would be a boon to Toronto as it adds youth to its frontcourt.

Time and again in college, Winston overcome his athletic limitations by shooting the leather off the ball and using his smarts to outwit opponents. That, combined with his experience at the college level, makes him an ideal fit in L.A. on a team that could use an experienced and reliable floor general to potentially soften Rajon Rondo's twilight years and maximize the championship window still open with LeBron and A.D.

Traded from: MIL

Jahmi'us Ramsey was one of the most lethal catch-and-shoot 3-point scorers in the Big 12 last season as a freshman, rating in the 91st percentile in that category in the half court, per Synergy. He's a bit stiff as a ball-handler and has some room to grow as a scorer in other areas, but his size and scoring upside could be a worthwhile gamble for the Celtics to close out the first round.

The first pick in any NBA Draft should be the player the franchise selecting believes has the best chance to be a future All-Star. And, in this draft, I think, Ball is that player. The 6-foot-6 point guard, who is still only 18 years-old, has broken out of his family's shadow and developed into an incredible playmaker and passer who faired well playing professionally in Australia this past season. The shooting percentages weren't great. And the mechanics need some work. But when you focus on what he can do, and how rare it is for somebody his age to do the things he can already do, Ball becomes the most sensible option to go No. 1.

Obi Toppin is a former zero-star recruit who earned CBS Sports National Player of the Year honors after averaging 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 63.3% from the field and 39.0% from 3-point range this past season. He's a super-athletic forward who dunks everything ? he actually led the nation in dunks ? and consistently makes jumpers in pick-and-pop situations. Yes, the fact that he's already 22 years old is an issue worth taking into account. But it will not ? or, at least, it should not ? overshadow the idea that Toppin has a chance to be the most impactful player selected in this draft.

Antony Edwards is a big, strong and athletic guard who is one of at least four players who could reasonably be selected first overall. The 6-5 freshman averaged 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in his one season at Georgia but only shot 40.2% from the field and 29.4% from 3-point range. So he was incredible in spots but largely up and down and inefficient. And though I clearly see the same potential for stardom that everybody else sees with Edwards, I simply think Ball and Toppin will have better NBA careers.

James Wiseman's decision to quit on Memphis midseason raised eyebrows with some NBA executives who were left wondering if the 7-1 center is wired to be great. But his natural ability is so overwhelming that he won't slip too far in a draft devoid of high-end talent. Obviously, this is the worst time in the history of professional basketball to be a center and only a center because the position has never been less valued. But it's still hard to imagine a physical specimen like Wiseman going any lower, or at least much lower, than fourth or fifth.

Onyeka Okongwu mostly operated off of the national radar this past season because he played for an unranked team on the West Coast. But he was fantastic rather quickly ? averaging 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 61.6% from the field. He's the main reason USC won 16 of its first 20 games and would've been in the NCAA Tournament if the NCAA Tournament would've been played. Is he an undersized big? Yes, probably. But he's an undersized big who can play multiple positions. And, either way, the NBA is now littered with undersized bigs. So even though Okongwu wasn't thought of this way coming out of high school, it's now reasonable to call him the second best big prospect in the draft.

Deni Avdija, a former Most Valuable Player of the FIBA Under-20 European Championship, should be the first non-American international prospect to come off the board. He's a 19 year-old Israeli who performed well for Maccabi Tel Aviv in games leading up to the season being suspended. At 6-9, he's tall enough to play power forward and skilled enough to play on the wing. And his shooting has undeniably improved. So, according to most evaluators, Avdija now projects as a likely top-10 pick.

Isaac Okoro was only a borderline top-40 prospect coming out of high school but quickly emerged as one of college basketball's best freshmen. He averaged 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds for an Auburn team that started 15-0 and finished 24-4 when Okoro was healthy and available. His athleticism and ability to shutdown opposing wings thanks to unusually great defensive instincts for an 18 year-old are his best attributes. A franchise looking for a high-upside player who impacts winning in a variety of ways should make him a top-10 pick.

Killian Hayes is an American-born lead guard who was raised in France. The 18 year-old shared Most Valuable Player honors in the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic international game and was averaging 12.0 points and 5.6 assists in Germany this past season before the schedule was halted. Hayes is better inside the arc than he is outside the arc, which is one way to say his 3-point shooting must improve. But he already does enough things well enough to make him worthy of a lottery pick.

Tyrese Haliburton, like Toppin, is a good example of a mostly unheralded high school prospect who became a statistical monster in college. The 6-5 sophomore averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 assists and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 50.4% from the field and 41.9% from 3-point range this past season before suffering an injury in early February that ended his college career. So he's a lead guard with size who consistently makes shots. And there's not a franchise in the NBA that couldn't use a player who can reasonably be described that way.

The more I talk with front-office executives, the more I'm convinced Saddiq Bey has a chance to be a steal in this draft ? especially if he slips out of the top 10. The 6-8 forward was merely a sub-125 recruit in the Class of 2018, the least-heralded prospect in Villanova's four-player class. But he quickly developed into an intriguing prospect who averaged 16.1 points (while making 45.1% of his 3-point attempts) this past season for a Villanova team that shared the Big East title. He's versatile on both ends and an ideal wing prospect for the modern NBA.

Cole Anthony's in-season knee surgery that limited him to just 22 games is the biggest reason ? not the only reason, but definitely the biggest reason ? the Tar Heels' season spiraled. Remember, they were 6-3 with a victory over the eventual Pac-12 champion (Oregon) before Anthony got hurt but never the same afterward. The 6-3 point guard's shooting numbers as a freshman leave something to be desired ? but he took so many tough shots, sometimes out of necessity because of a less-than-inspiring supporting cast ? that it's hard to know exactly what to make of them. But, either way, Anthony still averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Tar Heels. And though he no longer is a real option at No. 1 like he was believed to be this time last year, a spot in the lottery is still attainable.

R.J. Hampton's decision to skip college and play professionally for a team based in New Zealand this past season contributed to the G-League creating a program for elite prospects and then aggressively pursuing them. So he's already made an impact on the sport, for better or worse. Hampton spent part of the pandemic training with former NBA players Penny Hardaway and Mike Miller in Memphis and projects as a valuable combo guard for years to come thanks to a versatile offensive game that allows him to score and make plays in lots of ways.

The ceiling on Memphis' season was lowered drastically when James Wiseman quit, but it's hard to argue that Precious Achiuwa didn't personally benefit at least statistically. The super-athletic forward averaged 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds -- and was the only freshman in the sport to average a double-double. He's terrific in transition, effective around the rim, comfortable away from it and capable of guarding smaller players in space. All of that, combined with a tremendous motor, should be enough to make Achiuwa a lottery pick.

It's true that Aaron Nesmith only played 14 games as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending foot injury ? meaning the sample size is on the smallish side. But it can't be ignored that the 6-6 guard made 52.2% of the 115 3-pointers he attempted. That's an incredible percentage. And when you consider Nesmith has great size for his position, plus a good body, it's not crazy to think he should be a top-15 pick.

Tyrese Maxey got 26 points in the season-opening win over Michigan State while showing all of the things that made most assume he'd be UK's leading scorer. But, for much of the season, the 6-3 freshman was inconsistent while making just 29.2 percent of his 3-point attempts. So his one year in college was a little disappointing relative to preseason expectations. Regardless, Maxey still mostly projects as a top-15 pick because he measures well, presumably can be a better shooter than he showed this season, and is really good at scoring inside the arc in creative ways.

Traded from: BKN

Devin Vassell's numbers ? 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game ? don't jump off the screen, but that has more to do with playing at Florida State than anything else. The Seminoles had four players who averaged between 9.2 points and 12.7 points. So Leonard Hamilton's team was balanced at the top, possibly to the detriment of Vassell. Either way, what's important to note is that the 6-7 guard made 41.7% of his 168 3-point attempts over the past two seasons. And what that suggests is that he's a two-way wing who can make jumpers reliably, which is why he should go in the top 20 of this draft.

Traded from: MEM

Theo Maledon is a skilled athlete, one who previously became the youngest LNB All-Star in history. He missed time with an injury while playing professionally in France this past season and was mostly underwhelming ? although, in fairness, he played better as things progressed. But the talent that made him an interesting prospect at a young age still exists and is attractive to NBA executives selecting in this range.

Isaiah Stewart was perhaps the only good thing about Washington's wildly disappointing season that culminated with the Huskies finishing last in the Pac-12. The 6-9 center led his team in points (17.0), rebounds (8.8) and blocks (2.1). He was great ? but how well will it translate at the next level? That's the question. And, for what it's worth, scouts acknowledge guarding in space could be a problem. But Stewart's high motor, incredible production, and better-than-some realize skill-set should keep him in the top 20.

Traded from: IND

Patrick Williams is probably more of a long-term investment than an instant-impact rookie considering he's still only 18 years-old and developing. But the 6-8 forward measures well and was a key piece on a Florida State team that won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title. He performed strongly down the stretch while scoring in double-figures in five of the Seminoles' final seven games. So, again, it's possible he won't help an NBA team much next season. But what Williams could become in a year or two is enough to generate attention in the back half of the first round.

Traded from: PHI

Kira Lewis will still only be 19 years-old on draft night even though he's played two seasons of college basketball. So he's young. And he's light. But the 6-3 point guard was really productive this season -- averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds for an Alabama team that finished 60th at KenPom. Lewis made an incredible 48.8% of his 3-point attempts in the Crimson Tide's final seven games. So it appears he can be a reliable, and perhaps terrific, perimeter shooter as a professional, not to mention a real steal this deep in this draft.

Traded from: OKC

Not all prospects who return for their sophomore seasons actually help themselves from a draft-stock perspective, but Jalen Smith clearly did. He added strength, improved his field goal percentage by 4.6 points, his 3-point percentage by 8.0 points, and averaged more points (15.5), rebounds (10.5) and blocks (2.4) than he did the year. The result was Maryland winning a share of the Big Ten title and Smith solidifying himself as a real option in the first round who should be able to play both the 4 and the 5 in the NBA.

Traded from: HOU

There's nothing too flashy about Tre Jones. He doesn't create many highlights nor is he a great shooter. But he remains a terrific run-the-team point guard who really defends on one end of the court, and really creates opportunities for his teammates on the other. He averaged 16.2 points and 6.4 assists this season ? and actually shot it well enough from the perimeter down the stretch to get his 3-point percentage up to a respectable 36.1. So there's enough good stuff about him to make selecting him in the 20s a sensible option for any franchise comfortable spending a pick in this range on someone whose ceiling might be lower than others, but whose floor is likely higher.

Nico Mannion only shot 32.7% from 3-point range this season, which obviously isn't great for a lead guard who has the ball a lot. But he's still an interesting talent because of his ability to make reads and run an offense. Is he athletic or physically impressive relative to current high-level NBA point guards? Not really. And that's a concern. But, in the simplest terms, I'm a believer in Mannion just figuring it out and working to find a long-term role in the league.

Jaden McDaniels' freshman season did not go well. He was a disappointing team's most disappointing player ? one who led the Pac-12 in fouls. That?s not good. At one point, the 6-9 forward even got benched by his coach, Mike Hopkins. So while the upside McDaniels possesses will lead to him still getting selected in the first round, probably, the truth is that he did very little to help himself in his one season at Washington.

Traded from: DEN

Jahmi'us Ramsey was a borderline top-35 prospect coming out of high school who, just like Zhaire Smith and Jarrett Culver before him, developed into a projected first-round pick after working with Chris Beard at Texas Tech. The 6-4 guard averaged 15.0 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 42.6% from 3-point range. It was a strong freshman season. Yes, there are concerns about what else he does really well besides make shots. But shot-making is super-important in today's NBA. So Ramsey should be selected in the first round -- maybe in the teens but definitely in the 20s.

Xavier Tillman used his size and strength to be one of the best defensive bigs in the country this season, one who is also comfortable guarding in space or out on the perimeter. The 6-8 forward averaged 13.7 points and 10.3 rebounds while shooting 55.0% from the field ? and he also made 37% of his 3-point attempts inside the Breslin Center, which suggests he should be able to stretch the floor in the NBA and spend many years in the league as a reliable and quality frontcourt presence.

Traded from: LAC

It's wild that Arizona only finished tied for fifth in the Pac-12 with three projected first-round picks on the roster. But that's exactly what happened ? and some of it was tied to Josh Green's inconsistency. He showed flashes at times. But the truth is that the 6-6 wing is, at the moment, more advanced defensively than offensively, and there are real concerns about his ability to put the ball on the floor and pass it. So while his athleticism and toughness should get him picked in the first round, the questions attached to Green could theoretically push him outside of the top 30.

Vernon Carey would've been a top-10 pick if he were born 20 years earlier. But with unathletic centers devalued and sometimes unplayable in today's NBA, there are a lot of things working against the Duke star even though he was the best freshman in college basketball this past season while averaging 17.8 points and 8.8 rebounds for a team that finished fifth at KenPom. Will he be played off the floor by certain opponents in certain situations? Yes, that seems likely. But I'm still convinced there's a place for him in the NBA. And spending a late first-round pick on a wildly-productive one-and-done player (who was also a heralded high school prospect) seems like a sensible move.

Cassius Winston is perceived to be limited because he's small and not the best athlete. He'll never measure or test great ? and that'll turn some franchises away. But he's smart, great in pick-and-roll situations and someone who has proven to be a high-level shooter in all four years of college by making 43.0% of the 602 3-pointers he attempted in his four-year college career. Teams picking in this range are often good teams already winning in search of a piece who can maybe help immediately. And Winston is somebody who could probably help an NBA team immediately serving as a backup point guard and knockdown shooter.

Traded from: MIL

Zeke Nnaji was only a borderline top-40 prospect coming out of high school ? but he emerged as the biggest surprise of Arizona's freshman class. The 6-11 forward was Sean Miller's most productive player, one who averaged a team-high 16.1 points and a team-high 8.6 rebounds. He was a terrific part of an underwhelming team. Going forward, the best-case scenario has Nnaji developing into a power forward who can create space, rather than trying to be a full-time center, because he's not really a rim-protector. We'll see how that goes. But the fast-developing prospect deserves real consideration this deep in the first round.