Who will be selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft may be dependent upon team need and fit more than overall talent in recent years.
As we gear up for the summer, there remains no clear separation among this year's top prospects, with a handful still positioning for the top spot. And with no combine in the imminent future, there's no opportunity for much movement unless, and until, the pandemic offers up a reprieve in the near future.
But even with the uncertainty surrounding the process and the top players, there's analysis to be found and opinions to be formed. So we've done the leg work for you and have all the information you need to draw your own conclusions on who should go No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 ... and on down.
Below we've broken down the top 10 players on our Big Board and laid out their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the player we feel they compare to at the next level. Put your GM hat on and dive in.
1. LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks
PG | 6-6 | 180
STRENGTHS
Gifted playmaker with great court vision
Ambidextrous passer and finisher with good touch around the rim
High IQ and feel for the game -- knows where teammates are, anticipates where they are going, and can make high-level reads in pick-and-roll situations
Tight handle allows him to thrive in leading transition, running offense
Good positional size and frame
WEAKNESSES
Inconsistent and sometimes puzzling shot selection and decision-making
Sometimes tries to make the highlight-reel play, as opposed to smart play
Low set point on jump shot, and troubling results overseas as deep shooter; mechanically the shot may need tweaked to get shot off consistently at NBA level
Shaky defender but potential to turn into a net neutral with expanded physical maturation
PRO COMPARISON: Bigger Trae Young
2. Killian Hayes, Ratiopharm Ulm
PG | 6-5 | 192
STRENGTHS
Possesses great court vision and has passing skills to match it
Crafty with the ball in his hands and able to create off the dribble, both for himself and for teammates
Developing tool in his arsenal: a James Harden-like stepback move that's near-impossible to defend
Smooth, fluid left-handed release with great touch from deep and in the lane, at the free throw line and on floaters
Good positional size
Can read the game at a high level in an instant, making him a threat to thrive in the modern, pick-and-roll heavy NBA
WEAKNESSES
Average athlete with no real burst to blow by defenders
Below average 3-point shooter; improved in EuroCup play, but larger sample suggests it could be a swing skill
Ambidexterity remains a work in progress; largely lefty dominant s a dribbler, passer and finisher
PRO COMPARISON: Goran Dragic
3. Onyeka Okongwu, USC
C | 6-9 | 245
STRENGTHS
Quick, nimble feet with the ability to defend from the post to the perimeter
Good scoring and finishing ability, particularly around the rim; advanced post moves with a knack for carving out just enough space to thrive, even against bigger defenders
Has good touch as a passer and soft hands, allowing him to succeed in tight spaces and excel in pick-and-roll situations
Incredible shot-blocker with good timing; knows how to leverage his body to affect shots
WEAKNESSES
3-point shooting is not in his arsenal, though free throw percentages and shooting touch could portend well for that area of his game to develop
Fouled out thrice in 28 games as a freshman; sometimes over-eager to use his shot-blocking ability, leading to too many fouls, biting on up-fakes and being undisciplined
Slightly undersized for a modern-day big at 6-foot-9 especially given he will likely be a true post and pigeon-holed into one position in the NBA, though his reported 7-1 wingspan helps. Adding weight to his frame and physically maturing (and his long, wiry arms) will help him overcome that physical disadvantage
PRO COMPARISON: Bam Adebayo
4. Deni Avdija, Israel
SF | 6-9 | 215
STRENGTHS
Strong playmaking ability for his position with good passing and initiating upside
Capable ball-handler who reads the court well and makes smart, precise passes; an asset especially when leading the break in transition opportunities
Crafty finisher around the basket with ability to finish with either hand and soft touch on floaters, reverses and point-blank looks
WEAKNESSES
Average athlete with no real burst, but able to overcome limitations with smarts
More a floor-spacer in theory than in practice: Shot just 33.6% from 3 last year, and troublesome 52% from free throw line -- an indicator that improvement as a distance shooter may be difficult
Not a major threat to create havoc defensively either as a shot blocker or stealer, but overall a plus defender despite lateral limitations
PRO COMPARISON: Danilo Gallinari
5. Anthony Edwards, Georgia
SG | 6-5 | 225
STRENGTHS
Explosive athlete and leaper
One of youngest prospects in this class, and got into basketball late
Incredible shot-creation ability off the dribble
Good frame and strength given his youth
Long-term potential to grow into reliable offensive initiator with scoring upside
WEAKNESSES
Questionable shot selection; often settled for shots at Georgia
Touch-and-go defensive motor
Volume scoring didn't significantly impact winning in college for mediocre team at Georgia
PRO COMPARISON: Zach LaVine
6. Obi Toppin, Dayton
PF | 6-9 | 220
STRENGTHS
Dynamic athlete with incredible leaping ability; can impact the game playing above the rim (led college basketball in dunks last season)
Efficient shooter from inside the perimeter and effective from outside, too. He shot 41.7% from 3-point range during his time at Dayton.
Underrated passer and playmaker from his position who is quickly able to read defenses and make accurate passes when necessary
WEAKNESSES
Limited mobility moving laterally will hinder his ability to defend on the perimeter and switch onto more mobile wings and forwards
Explosive leaper, but physically he will have challenges matching up against bigger forwards in the post in the NBA
Average rebounder, especially for a player his size and at his position
PRO COMPARISON: Blake Griffin
7. Isaac Okoro, Auburn
SF | 6-6 | 225
STRENGTHS
Physically mature with a 6-6 base to complement his 225-pound frame
Versatile defender who can switch up and down the roster defensively
High basketball IQ who excels as team defender and makes winning plays
Underrated playmaker who has shown flashes of being able to put the ball on the floor and create offense
WEAKNESSES
3-and-D type player -- but the 3 needs work after shooting just 29% from 3 at Auburn
Limited offensively as a creator, and lack of shiftiness doesn't bode well for initiating upside
PRO COMPARISON: More athletic Justin Anderson
8. James Wiseman, Memphis
C | 7-1 | 240
STRENGTHS
Great size and length, with reported 7-foot-6 wingspan
Good lob finisher, can effectively run pick-and-roll as screen man at high level
Uses length and awareness to protect rim at high level
WEAKNESSES
Shooting efficiency outside the paint a real question mark; only a floor-spacer in theory and needs to extend range and shoot outside consistently to meet ceiling
Touch-and-go motor dating back to high school days; only played three college games before leaving to train for NBA draft
Moves fluidly and can run the court, but struggles moving laterally and may struggle defending in space
PRO COMPARISON: Chris Bosh
9. Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
PG | 6-5 | 175
STRENGTHS
One of the most efficient guards as a scorer and facilitator
Deep shooting range that should translate to NBA 3-point line seamlessly
Savvy player on both ends of the court with high IQ/feel; very good passer who makes smart decisions and doesn't beat himself
WEAKNESSES
Skinny frame that needs real physical development
Odd (but effective) shooting release; incredibly efficient in catch and shoot but a non-factor for now shooting off the dribble or moving
PRO COMPARISON: Lonzo Ball
10. Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt
SF | 6-6 | 213
STRENGTHS
Shooting, shooting, shooting; elite scorer from any distance and from any situation
Capable defender with the benefit of good positional size
3-and-D -type player with ability to develop into a more dynamic offensive player
WEAKNESSES
Coming off foot injury that cut his season short at Vanderbilt
Needs to improve as a shot creator; has potential but creating separation is not his strength
Could be a defensive liability -- somewhat limited athletically and moves just OK laterally
PRO COMPARISON: Buddy Hield
