The 2020 NBA Draft is here — and yet it still isn't clear who the Minnesota Timberwolves will take with the No. 1 pick in this year's draft. It could be LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards or, well, anybody else.
Heck, Minnesota could even be swayed by a trade offer and ultimately decide to let somebody choose first.
We'll see Wednesday night.
As I've said and written many times, the top five of this draft could reasonably go in just about any order. Nothing would be too surprising. But the following is my latest stab at how things could unfold.
Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
 
LaMelo Ball
PG
USA
• Sr
• 6'7"
/ 180 lbs
None of the players in contention for the top spot are perfect fits in Minnesota. So the Timberwolves should just take the best prospect available. And, in my mind, that player is LaMelo Ball, the 6-6 point guard who sees things most players his age cannot see, and makes plays most players his age cannot make.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
I've gone back and forth on whether the Warriors should, and will, select Anthony Edwards or James Wiseman — if they even execute this pick. For now, I'll go with Wiseman, a physical specimen who also fills an obvious need.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
If you're the Hornets, you're thrilled the person some have labeled the best prospect in this draft falls to you at No. 3. Anthony Edwards has an NBA-ready body and should be able to add scoring immediately.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Obi Toppin is a former zero-star recruit who became the National Player of the Year at Dayton. I'd personally make him the favorite to be Rookie of the Year while helping Billy Donovan establish a culture that eventually brings the Bulls back to respectability.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
 
Deni Avdija
SF
Israel
• Sr
• 6'9"
/ 240 lbs
The Cavaliers would likely be happy if Deni Avdija were available at No. 5. The 6-9 forward is a great playmaker who is widely regarded as this draft's best international prospect.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Tyrese Haliburton is a guard with size who can really shoot it. He'd be perfect in Atlanta because he can play behind Trae Young or with him as a 6-5 shooter.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Isaac Okoro is an elite defender who impacts winning in a variety of ways. If he develops offensively, the potential for stardom exists.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
 
Killian Hayes
PG
France
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 195 lbs
Some front offices have Killian Hayes as a possible top-five pick, others have him outside of the top 10. Whether he's worthy of being selected this high will ultimately come down to his 3-point shot developing, or not developing, to the point where he's a reliable shooter on the perimeter.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Onyeka Okongwu is a versatile frontcourt player who shot 61.6% from the field in his one season at USC. It's possible he could go in the top five — but if he slips this far, the Wizards should enthusiastically select him.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Saddiq Bey developed in two years at Villanova into a wing with size who shot 45.1% from 3-point range as a sophomore. His ability to guard multiple positions and make open jumpers could help the Suns make the playoff push they appear ready to make after completing a deal for Chris Paul.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Devin Vassell made 41.7% of his 3-point attempts over the past two seasons at Florida State. He's a wing with size who could, as a rookie, help the Spurs return to the postseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
The Kings are a talented team — but just average from beyond the arc. So adding Aaron Nesmith, arguably the best shooter available in this draft, could provide instant improvement.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
The Pelicans moving Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee could make taking a point guard a priority in the lottery. Kira Lewis made 48.8% of his 3-point attempts in Alabama's final seven games, which suggests he could be the type of backcourt shooter New Orleans needs to properly build around Zion Williamson.
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From
Memphis Grizzlies
Round 1 - Pick 14
The Celtics need point guard depth — especially with Kemba Walker being a 30-year-old who is coming off of a disappointing postseason. Cole Anthony, once considered a likely top-five pick, could provide real scoring off the bench as a rookie and eventually develop into a starter.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Patrick Williams only shot 32.0% from 3-point range in his one season at Florida State. Regardless, he's a long and strong 3-and-D wing who has reportedly performed well in pre-draft workouts.
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Mock Trade from
Houston Rockets
Round 1 - Pick 16
 
R.J. Hampton
SG
USA
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 175 lbs
The Pistons acquired this pick from Houston. R.J. Hampton would provide Detroit with a talented combo guard who is just a good perimeter shot away from becoming something possibly special.
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From
Brooklyn Nets
Round 1 - Pick 17
Reasonable minds can disagree on whether Precious Achiuwa will develop into an offensive threat or forever be little more than a high-energy big who plays center in small-ball lineups. But his athleticism, productivity at Memphis, and ability to guard multiple positions are enough to make him worth any pick at this point in the draft.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Tyrese Maxey was inconsistent and mostly underwhelming in his one season at Kentucky. But most still believe he's a talented-enough combo guard who will be able to score in the NBA.
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From
Philadelphia 76ers
Round 1 - Pick 19
The Nets already have two stars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The next step is getting the proper pieces around them, and a big who can stretch the floor like Jalen Smith is the type of center who could work well with the future Hall of Famers who are trying to win big in Brooklyn now.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
The Heat could use a backup point guard who could eventually replace Goran Dragic in the starting lineup. Tre Jones, a tenacious defender who shot 36.1% from beyond the arc as a sophomore at Duke, is the best available here.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
 
Theo Maledon
PG
France
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 175 lbs
The Sixers are no longer committed to playing Ben Simmons at point guard. That makes Theo Maledon a sensible option because he's a skilled primary ball-handler with plenty of room to grow.
| |||
From
Houston Rockets
Round 1 - Pick 22
Isaiah Stewart was perhaps the only bright spot in Washington's disappointing season. He's an undersized center -- but one who figures to be productive thanks to a good motor and intriguing skillset.
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Mock Trade from
Milwaukee Bucks
Round 1 - Pick 24
 
Aleksej Pokusevski
C
Serbia
• Sr
• 7'0"
/ 190 lbs
New Orleans trading Jrue Holiday is a clear step back. If being great down the road, as opposed to good right now, is the priority, selecting Aleksej Pokusevski, a 7-foot wing who is very skilled, is a strong long-term investment.
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From
Denver Nuggets
Round 1 - Pick 25
Oklahoma City needs point guard help with Chris Paul out the door. Malachi Flynn is a great run-your-team lead guard who shot 37.3% from 3-point range last season at San Diego State.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
 
Leandro Bolmaro
SF
Argentina
• Fr
• 6'6"
/ 200 lbs
The Celtics have three first-round picks and barely any room on the roster. So Leandro Bolmaro is an obvious possibility because he's already committed to playing in Barcelona next season.
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From
New York Knicks
Round 1 - Pick 27
Josh Green remains a work in progress, as he's not really a reliable playmaker yet. But the 6-6 wing is a high-level athlete who definitely has the potential to develop into someone worthy of being selected in the 20s.
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Mock Trade from
Los Angeles Lakers
Round 1 - Pick 28
Oklahoma City is rebuilding and in possession of so many future first-round picks that it can afford to take a flyer on somebody like Jaden McDaniels. The 6-9 forward was disappointing in his one season at Washington but still possesses the natural talent that fascinates front offices.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Fred VanVleet is an unrestricted free agent who could leave Toronto, which might make selecting a point guard a priority with the 29th pick. At this point in this mock draft, the best available is Michigan State's Cassius Winston.
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From
Milwaukee Bucks
Round 1 - Pick 30
The Celtics need to upgrade in the middle — and Vernon Carey could become that in time. He's more of a traditional center than a modern frontcourt player, but he was Duke's best player last season and is worth a serious look this late in the first round.
|
Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
LaMelo Ball
PG
USA
• Sr
• 6'7"
/ 180 lbs
None of the players in contention for the top spot are perfect fits in Minnesota. So the Timberwolves should just take the best prospect available. And, in my mind, that player is LaMelo Ball, the 6-6 point guard who sees things most players his age cannot see, and makes plays most players his age cannot make.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 2
I've gone back and forth on whether the Warriors should, and will, select Anthony Edwards or James Wiseman — if they even execute this pick. For now, I'll go with Wiseman, a physical specimen who also fills an obvious need.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 3
If you're the Hornets, you're thrilled the person some have labeled the best prospect in this draft falls to you at No. 3. Anthony Edwards has an NBA-ready body and should be able to add scoring immediately.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 4
Obi Toppin is a former zero-star recruit who became the National Player of the Year at Dayton. I'd personally make him the favorite to be Rookie of the Year while helping Billy Donovan establish a culture that eventually brings the Bulls back to respectability.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 5
Deni Avdija
SF
Israel
• Sr
• 6'9"
/ 240 lbs
The Cavaliers would likely be happy if Deni Avdija were available at No. 5. The 6-9 forward is a great playmaker who is widely regarded as this draft's best international prospect.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 6
Tyrese Haliburton is a guard with size who can really shoot it. He'd be perfect in Atlanta because he can play behind Trae Young or with him as a 6-5 shooter.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 7
Isaac Okoro is an elite defender who impacts winning in a variety of ways. If he develops offensively, the potential for stardom exists.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 8
Killian Hayes
PG
France
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 195 lbs
Some front offices have Killian Hayes as a possible top-five pick, others have him outside of the top 10. Whether he's worthy of being selected this high will ultimately come down to his 3-point shot developing, or not developing, to the point where he's a reliable shooter on the perimeter.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 9
Onyeka Okongwu is a versatile frontcourt player who shot 61.6% from the field in his one season at USC. It's possible he could go in the top five — but if he slips this far, the Wizards should enthusiastically select him.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 10
Saddiq Bey developed in two years at Villanova into a wing with size who shot 45.1% from 3-point range as a sophomore. His ability to guard multiple positions and make open jumpers could help the Suns make the playoff push they appear ready to make after completing a deal for Chris Paul.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 11
Devin Vassell made 41.7% of his 3-point attempts over the past two seasons at Florida State. He's a wing with size who could, as a rookie, help the Spurs return to the postseason.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 12
The Kings are a talented team — but just average from beyond the arc. So adding Aaron Nesmith, arguably the best shooter available in this draft, could provide instant improvement.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 13
The Pelicans moving Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee could make taking a point guard a priority in the lottery. Kira Lewis made 48.8% of his 3-point attempts in Alabama's final seven games, which suggests he could be the type of backcourt shooter New Orleans needs to properly build around Zion Williamson.
| |||
From
Memphis Grizzlies
Round 1 - Pick 14
The Celtics need point guard depth — especially with Kemba Walker being a 30-year-old who is coming off of a disappointing postseason. Cole Anthony, once considered a likely top-five pick, could provide real scoring off the bench as a rookie and eventually develop into a starter.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 15
Patrick Williams only shot 32.0% from 3-point range in his one season at Florida State. Regardless, he's a long and strong 3-and-D wing who has reportedly performed well in pre-draft workouts.
| |||
Mock Trade from
Portland Trail Blazers
Round 1 - Pick 16
R.J. Hampton
SG
USA
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 175 lbs
With James Harden's future up in the air, selecting a young and talented combo guard like R.J. Hampton would make sense. If he develops a jumpshot, he could be special.
| |||
From
Brooklyn Nets
Round 1 - Pick 17
Reasonable minds can disagree on whether Precious Achiuwa will develop into an offensive threat or forever be little more than a high-energy big who plays center in small-ball lineups. But his athleticism, productivity at Memphis, and ability to guard multiple positions are enough to make him worth any pick at this point in the draft.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 18
Tyrese Maxey was inconsistent and mostly underwhelming in his one season at Kentucky. But most still believe he's a talented-enough combo guard who will be able to score in the NBA.
| |||
From
Philadelphia 76ers
Round 1 - Pick 19
The Nets already have two stars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The next step is getting the proper pieces around them, and a big who can stretch the floor like Jalen Smith is the type of center who could work well with the future Hall of Famers who are trying to win big in Brooklyn now.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 20
The Heat could use a backup point guard who could eventually replace Goran Dragic in the starting lineup. Tre Jones, a tenacious defender who shot 36.1% from beyond the arc as a sophomore at Duke, is the best available here.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 21
Theo Maledon
PG
France
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 175 lbs
The Sixers are no longer committed to playing Ben Simmons at point guard. That makes Theo Maledon a sensible option because he's a skilled primary ball-handler with plenty of room to grow.
| |||
From
Houston Rockets
Round 1 - Pick 22
Isaiah Stewart was perhaps the only bright spot in Washington's disappointing season. He's an undersized center -- but one who figures to be productive thanks to a good motor and intriguing skillset.
| |||
Mock Trade from
Milwaukee Bucks
Round 1 - Pick 24
Aleksej Pokusevski
C
Serbia
• Sr
• 7'0"
/ 190 lbs
New Orleans trading Jrue Holiday is a clear step back. If being great down the road, as opposed to good right now, is the priority, selecting Aleksej Pokusevski, a 7-foot wing who is very skilled, is a strong long-term investment.
| |||
From
Denver Nuggets
Round 1 - Pick 25
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