The NBA’s decision to include just the top 22 teams in the league’s restart in Orlando at Disney World leaves the bottom eight teams locked into their current position. While it will lead to an elongated break for those eight teams between their last games in mid-March and the 2020-21 season start in December, it also allows the franchises to switch their focus to the 2020 NBA Draft.
Both Bob Myers, general manager of the Warriors, and Travis Schlenk, general manager of the Hawks, have spoken in recent days about the upcoming draft and the plans the teams have for the selections. With those eight spots definitely locked in, here’s our 2.0 version of the mock draft for those teams.
1. Golden State Warriors – James Wiseman, Big, Memphis
The Warriors have made it abundantly clear that they don’t have much interest in drafting LaMelo Ball. In terms of fit, Ball doesn’t make much sense with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. But in terms of talent, he may be the best.
Still, the gap between him and James Wiseman may not be all that big in terms of talent but the latter is a significantly better fit. Wiseman could plug into the front court next to Draymond Green and help fill a hole the Warriors have long been searching to plug.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Anthony Edwards, Guard, Georgia
While the Cavaliers have stated they wouldn’t shy away from drafting Ball simply because they have Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, drafting Ball would give them three point guards and it’s hard to rationalize that.
Again, the difference in the top three may be minimal to NBA teams and Anthony Edwards can more naturally play next to Sexton or Garland than Ball. Between the three guards, the Cavaliers would have plenty of versatility in the backcourt moving forward.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves – LaMelo Ball, Guard, Illawarra Hawks
Laker fans were robbed of a chance at seeing D’Angelo Russell and Lonzo Ball together many years ago but a LaMelo Ball-Russell backcourt could be just as intriguing. They would certainly have some issues defensively but they would be a handful on the offensive end.
Both are capable of playing on the ball as well as off-ball. Both have incredible passing ability and can score at multiple levels. It would give the Timberwolves a strong backcourt of the future.
4. Atlanta Hawks – Onyeka Okongwu, Big, USC
Perhaps the only player to jump up draft boards as much as Ball did in the last year was, coincidentally, his former Chino Hills teammate in Onyeka Okongwu. At USC, Okongwu burst onto the scene his freshman year, averaging 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks.
The Hawks have looked for a more modern approach to their team building, opting for pace and space. Okongwu could be a long-term option to Clint Capela and could play with either Capela or John Collins in the front court.
5. Detroit Pistons – Obi Toppin, Big, Dayton
After being the best player in the country this season, Obi Toppin can be the face of the Pistons rebuild. Toppin and Blake Griffin could pair together in the front court so long as Detroit keeps the latter on the roster. Toppin is an exciting player that could bring attention to a franchise that has found itself stuck in mediocrity for much of the last decade.
While the Pistons may need a guard more desperately, Toppin is the best player available here.
6. New York Knicks – Tyrese Haliburton, Guard, Iowa State
The Knicks have long been searching for a face of their rebuild. While it looked like they had one in Kristaps Porzingis, the team moved on from him and are in a rebuild yet again. While they are in love with Ball, it would take either a lot of lottery luck or a trade for them to land the youngest Ball brother.
Haliburton isn’t Ball but he isn’t bad, either. He would take ball-handling duties away from RJ Barrett, who shouldered a heavy burden last season with a usage rate of 24.0%.
7. Chicago Bulls – Deni Avdija, Wing, Israel
The Chicago Bulls continue to find themselves in the draft lottery despite having a host of young talent. Coby White and Zach LaVine will lock down the backcourt, Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markannen have the front court locked down which leaves a hole on the wing.
Deni Avdija spent last season with Maccabi Tel Aviv where he played a tick under 20 minutes per game at 19 years old. He’ll be more of a project but is both likely the best fit and the best player on the board for the Bulls.
8. Charlotte Hornets – Isaac Okoro, Wing, Auburn
The Hornets stumbled into a great young point guard last season with Devonte Graham despite paying Terry Rozier a hefty price. While Killian Hayes is on the board, Charlotte has a dearth of point guards already.
Instead, they could look to Okoro to further accumulate 3-and-D players. Okoro is a young wing that wouldn’t have too much pressure to play immediately with both Miles Bridges and PJ Washington both have strong starts to their young prospects.
