The 2020 NBA Draft cannot take place until the lottery order is officially sorted out. And the lottery order cannot officially be sorted out until the NBA season officially comes to a conclusion. And as we sit here, at the end of May, there's no concrete answer on when (or if) the NBA season will resume -- much less when it will conclude.
So consider the entirety of the NBA Draft process right now to be one giant shrug emoji.
But technically (technically!) the draft process is still ongoing. Though players have not been able to work out for teams in person or interview face-to-face since the season ended, Zoom calls are being conducted between players and teams, front offices are doing homework through film study, and opinions are continuing to take shape about this year's class as preparation for the draft remains ongoing.
With all that uncertainty in mind as the backdrop, I'm releasing today the seventh iteration of my mock draft to reflect how I anticipate the draft to unfold this year. Despite the lottery order still not set, team need and fit is weighed heavily as opposed to my own personal view on prospects. For my prospect rankings, you can toggle to the CBS Sports Top 100 Big Board.
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The draft order has been determined by SportsLine projected records.
NBA Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Memphis
• Soph
• 6'11"
/ 240 lbs
Warriors GM Bob Myers said last week that he would consider trading the team's first-round pick. But if they get No. 1 and keep it, it's hard to imagine passing on a 7-footer in James Wiseman who has massive upside and fits a need. The former Memphis standout has a reported 7-6 wingspan and would mesh perfectly into Golden State's system as a rim-running lob threat who can protect the rim. With the core pieces of a championship contender in place, Wiseman could be a linchpin to keep its title-winning window pried open.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 225 lbs
Cleveland needs a piece that can help complement first-round assets Darius Garland and Collin Sexton, and Anthony Edwards looks like a viable cog in that respect. He's a freakish athlete who can play off the ball but also create for himself in space when the shot clock is winding down. His youth, athleticism and shot-making ability combined make him one of the most intriguing high-upside prospects in this class; Cleveland can't afford to not take a huge swing from this position.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Detroit's depleted roster needs a major talent upgrade, and LaMelo Ball, the No. 1 prospect on the CBS Sports Big Board, is an ideal gamble here. The younger brother of Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball is a jumbo playmaker who has grown to 6-6 and has the playmaking chops to develop into a franchise-caliber lead guard in time. Despite some scoring inefficiencies from distance playing in the NBL, his high-level vision and feel for the game match where the NBA's moving.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Southern California
• Jr
• 6'10"
/ 240 lbs
Okongwu projects to be a monstrous defensive post presence and Minnesota needs exactly that to pair with KAT. The 6-9 forward/center is an elite defender who can step out on the perimeter and slide his feet well and also disrupt shots in the paint. While he doesn't have much range yet he brings good value as a scorer inside the arc and could fit into what Minnesota needs to improve around its core.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Isaac Okoro
SF
Auburn
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 225 lbs
Atlanta needs to add to its depth at wing and upgrade defensively, and here 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. Consider that an ideal trait alongside the talented and ball-dominant Trae Young.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
French prodigy Killian Hayes, at 18 years old, has already been a pro for two years and risen steadily in the international ranks among the NBA community. He has good positional size and great playmaking ability as a lead guard that could give the Knicks a foundational piece on which to build around long-term. Hayes doesn't have top-end athleticism but he's crafty with the ball in his hands and has a consistent jumper that should make him a safe bet to help New York at a position it so desperately needs to address.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
To help maximize Chicago's young core, Deni Avdija is the smart bet if the board falls this way. The Israeli star is a point forward with great playmaking skills from his position who could help alleviate the offensive load in Chi-town. He's also been a winner everywhere he's been. At just 19 years old, he's a two-time Israeli League champion and a two-time FIBA European champ.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Obi Toppin
PF
Dayton
• Jr
• 6'9"
/ 220 lbs
Washington took a below-the-rim forward last year in Rui Hachimura, and here they take an above-the-rim forward in Obi Toppin who can make a winning impact with his athleticism and skill level, as evidenced last season when he led college basketball in dunks for a top-10 Dayton team.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Vanderbilt
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 215 lbs
Before a season-ending foot injury in January, Aaron Nesmith, who shot 52.2% from 3-point range through 14 games, was on pace to be one of only three players in the last 20 years to shoot above 50% from deep on 200+ attempts, per college basketball reference. Simply put, he's the most lethal shooter in this draft. Charlotte needs wing depth and scoring, making Nesmith a perfect remedy for both.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Iowa State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 185 lbs
Scouts I've talked with have expressed pessimism about Tyrese Haliburton being the primary initiator for an NBA offense because the lack of athleticism and top-end burst in his game, so I can't think of a better draft marriage than Haliburton and Phoenix. There he could operate as the co-lead guard sharing the offensive burden with Devin Booker, and eventually taking over for Ricky Rubio when his contract comes up. The playmaking, smarts and sheer feel will eventually win out as he thickens his frame and becomes a bonafide starting point guard in the NBA.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
For a team like the Spurs that values versatility and has already had immense success scouting the international route before, Théo Maledon seems like a win-win proposition. The French guard can play on or off the ball with a vastly improved jumper that should translate early, and I think he can play point guard or shooting guard, where his playmaking and scoring can both shine through. If not for a shoulder injury earlier this season that set him back, we may be talking about Maledon as a top-five-or-so prospect.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Florida State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 200 lbs
The Kings are on the hunt for wings in this range of the draft, per The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, and Devin Vassell fits the mold of a high impact, low usage type player that could plug into their system right away. He's a 3-and-D prospect who shot above 41% from 3-point range in each of his two college seasons, and he took a huge leap as a defensive playmaker last season, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game -- one of only four guards in all of college last season to achieve such a productive defensive stat line.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Cole Anthony
PG
North Carolina
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 185 lbs
The inefficiency Cole Anthony had as a lead scorer for UNC last season can in part be attributed to a bad UNC team. But it's nonetheless a mark on his resume he must answer for. Still, the number of guards who can make shots in an array of ways the way he can should get him looks in the back half of the lottery. The versatility to play either guard spot should really open up his list of suitors.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Saddiq Bey
SF
Villanova
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 215 lbs
The list of 6-8 wings who can defend 1-4 and shoot 3-pointers at an elite clip in this draft begins and ends with Saddiq Bey. That should be extremely valuable for a New Orleans franchise looking to add weapons around Zion Williamson. He's got a quick release and can thrive in a system where he's called upon to be a knockdown shooter who defends the opponent's best offensive weapon.
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From
Brooklyn Nets
Round 1 - Pick 15
Tyrese Maxey
SG
Kentucky
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 200 lbs
Shooting 29.2% from 3-point range in his lone college season at Kentucky dinged Maxey's stock, but he'll add instant value as an elite defender and driver even if the outside shot remains below average. That should be a complementary set of skills for a team with D'Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns in place.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 170 lbs
Orlando's flier with Markelle Fultz is off to a good start, but even if he performs like the former No. 1 pick he was, depth at this position is bleak. Kira Lewis could be both an incredible depth piece (for now) and a hedge against Orlando's reclamation project with Fultz, should it fail. He's one of the youngest prospects in this class and still growing, but the speed and shot-making should give him a good base to become a productive NBA player.
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From
Memphis Grizzlies
Round 1 - Pick 17
Memphis
• Jr
• 6'8"
/ 225 lbs
Danny Ainge loves prospects who add versatility and in Precious Achiuwa he could find some. The Memphis product should be a productive power forward but could also be a devastating small-ball five in some situations with the way his motor always runs hot. He's a tenacious rebounder, rim-runner and shot-blocker.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
The Thunder tend to prioritize athleticism and projection over production, making RJ Hampton the ideal OKC target in this range. He's got plenty of bounce and upside as a pick-and-roll scorer who can create, though his production overseas in the NBL last season was largely inefficient. The first steps to him succeeding will be to fill out his frame and become a more consistent scorer.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Josh Green
SG
Arizona
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 200 lbs
Josh Green's 3-point shooting over the back half of the season solidified his standing as a 3-and-D archetype who can add value as a role player. That should be what the Mavs look to add in this draft as they surround Luka Doncic with more talent. He hit 69% of his 3-pointers over Arizona's final five games before the season ended, potentially disrupting a March Madness rise that would have showcased his skills on a broad stage.
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From
Indiana Pacers
Round 1 - Pick 20
Texas Tech
• Soph
• 6'3"
/ 190 lbs
Jahmi'us Ramsey is a very good shooter in pretty much every situation: off dribble handoffs, running off screens, and spotting up. There lies the value for a Milwaukee team predicated on spacing the floor with shooters around Giannis. He rated in the 91st percentile as a catch and shoot scorer last season in the half court at Texas Tech.
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From
Houston Rockets
Round 1 - Pick 21
Washington
• Jr
• 6'9"
/ 185 lbs
Jaden McDaniels' one-and-done season at Washington was a bust, but the combination of his size, versatility and shot-making should appeal to a Denver team that's been widely praised in recent years for its in-house development. And McDaniels' pro prospects remain promising yet. Add some meat to his big frame and sharpen his skills and he could become a jumbo wing with major boom potential. A year ago he was the No. 1 prospect at his position coming out of high school.
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From
Philadelphia 76ers
Round 1 - Pick 22
Duke
• Fr
• 6'5"
/ 193 lbs
Remember that Zion Williamson fella? Cassius Stanley came to Duke and bested his vertical leap record the following year. The man's bunnies have bunnies. So his NBA athleticism coupled with his 3-and-D upside could be a valuable addition to a team like Brooklyn, where two stars are already in place. He rated in the 93rd percentile as a catch and shoot shooter last season, per Synergy, which could really complement an already-set core of a contender.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Nico Mannion
PG
Arizona
• Fr
• 6'2"
/ 188 lbs
The lack of athleticism in Nico Mannion's game is a sore spot among scouts, but few can read the floor, react and make quick plays as a lead guard the way he can, making his smarts one of his most invaluable assets. The Heat tend to value basketball brainiacs similar to him and could use depth at the position with Goran Dragic heading towards free agency.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Tre Jones
PG
Duke
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 185 lbs
As Mike Conley gets into his mid 30s and Donovan Mitchell hits his prime stride, the Jazz would do well to match their young star with a young point guard like Tre Jones who can defend the perimeter, run an offense, and make smart decisions playing to Mitchell's strengths. Jones can do that. In two seasons at Duke he led two top-10 offenses and managed to stand out with teammates like Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Vernon Carey and Cam Reddish.
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From
Denver Nuggets
Round 1 - Pick 25
The Thunder have more draft capital over the next seven years than any other team, and thus they are uniquely positioned to take more risks than others. So here, I have them taking a raw-but-talented big man in Aleksej Pokusevski who, at 7-feet tall, has the mobility, shooting, dribbling and scoring of a wing. But he's also just over 200 pounds and physically a year or two (or three or four) away from contributing meaningfully at the NBA level. He's an investment that could pay off but it won't be immediate.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Florida State
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 215 lbs
Everything about Patrick Williams' game right now is raw, but there's real potential he produces like a lottery pick in a few years when he eventually puts things together. And even with that in mind, I think defensively he can be an impact player sooner rather than later. He plays with good anticipation on that end, knows how to hijack passing lanes, and -- best of all -- has a 6-11 wingspan that he wields with force. Quintessential late-first flyer for Boston that can afford to take a bet on the upside.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Syracuse
• Soph
• 6'5"
/ 215 lbs
The more teams learn about Elijah Hughes the more they like. He soaked up a ton of defensive attention last season and yet still averaged 19 points on a fairly efficient volume for Syracuse, averaging 34.1% from the 3-point line on 228 attempts. His scoring coupled with his 6-6 frame could give the Raptors a real playmaking threat on the wing they lack.
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From
Los Angeles Clippers
Round 1 - Pick 28
Paul Reed
PF
DePaul
• Jr
• 6'9"
/ 210 lbs
It didn't get much attention on an underwhelming DePaul team, but Paul Reed was a bright spot. The big man rated seventh nationally last season in defensive plus/minus and showed a knack for being in the right spot in the right time as a playmaker on defense, both in the zone and in man-to-man. He was the only power conference player to average at least 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game on the season.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Devon Dotson
PG
Kansas
• Jr
• 6'1"
Devon Dotson's not the most flashy guard in any one particular area, but he's good at everything and can make things happen with his speed and ability to get downhill. So for a Lakers team looking to supplement its depth at the position, he'd be a nice addition with real upside if the 3-point shot comes around.
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From
Milwaukee Bucks
Round 1 - Pick 30
San Diego State
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 175 lbs
Malachi Flynn is a lights-out offensive weapon who can create for himself and make shots in a variety of ways. Flynn led all of college basketball last season in win shares for 30-win San Diego State, acting as the catalyst on both ends for one of the best teams in the sport. For a Celtics team in need of point guard depth he could provide a spark with the success he's had operating as a scorer and facilitator.
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