The NBA draft is just over a month away. Most teams are already in deep discussions about who they will be adding to their rosters by October. This year’s draft is quite interesting, as for the first time the NBA will hold the draft via the digital process.
The draft will be held in close comparison to what the NFL and Roger Goodell had done in April. This mock draft will not hold any trades, and will only include the lottery picks.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards, F, Georgia
The Timberwolves do not need another scorer. However, since they have the first overall pick it would be logical to draft the best player coming into the draft.
The Wolves need a shooting guard, and Edwards can fit alongside D’Angelo Russell. Edwards is a fantastic finisher around the rim and can create his own shot. His major downsides are in his playmaking ability and three-point consistency.
Golden State Warriors
LaMelo Ball, G, Australia
The Golden State Warriors have a roster of shooters. They have two of the greatest shooters to ever enter the league. LaMelo Ball is a shooter, a very inconsistent one.
Having Ball learn with Thompson and Curry to develop some consistency will be fun to watch. Ball can bring some more playmaking and shooting to a team that loves to do both.
Charlotte Hornets
James Wiseman, C, Memphis
Charlotte is a very young team. They have pieces in their roster that are still developing. Picking Wiseman here will allow him to become the leading player on offense. Charlotte needs a center, someone who can help P.J Washington in the post on defense and on the boards.
Wiseman will not lead the team to the playoffs right away, by year three or four he could be a top-five center in the league and reunite the team to the playoffs.
Chicago Bulls
Deni Avdija, G, Israel
Never have any analysts been correct to project the value of an overseas talent. Avdija to many is an unknown entity. Chicago has four of the five starting positions filled. They are searching for a small forward, preferably one that can score.
Avdija has a smooth stroke and could become a very valuable scorer for the Bulls. Although there are more talented players ahead of Avdija, the fit seems almost perfect.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Isaac Okoro, G, Auburn
Another guard? Uh yeah, we are talking about Cleveland here. The Cavaliers have three talented big men in Kevin Love, Andre Drummond, and Tristan Thompson. So it would be pointless to add another. Cleveland also drafted Collin Sexton and Darius Garland in the last two drafts.
Okoro is 6’6 and could slide into the small forward position. Cleveland needs more players who can defend the wing and guard position, and Okoro can fill that need.
Atlanta Hawks
Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
The Hawks lack another consistent scorer. Trae Young and John Collins are holding down the offense, but most playoff teams have three elite scorers. Obi Toppin could slide into the small forward position, and provide corner threes and mid-range shots from many outlet passes from Young.
Toppin is also a good rebounder which allows him to replace Collins when he is on the bench. Toppin should contribute right away, as he is the most “NBA Ready” player in this draft.
Detroit Pistons
Cole Anthony, G, North Carolina
The Pistons were selling everyone this past trade deadline. Although they could not find a good offer that they liked for Blake Griffin or Derrick Rose, the team could find themselves trading them away this offseason. Anthony would fit perfectly in Detroit as he is an aggressive player, attacking the rim and always trying to break down a defense.
He could be the first stepping stone into the Pistons rebuild, and having a starting point guard is the first step to a successful one. Anthony is an all-around point guard and whichever direction the team goes into he will be a great fit.
New York Knicks
Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa
Every option that the Knicks have been linked to is now off the board. RJ Barrett and Kevin Knox had underwhelming years, but they were not horrible. Adding Haliburton could help relieve the pressure off these two young forwards.
Haliburton is an offensive threat and could provide tremendous scoring. This could allow Knox and Barrett to rebound as they are not the main offensive target. The Iowa guard is a very solid defender and passer, but his scoring ability is what to watch for when he plays.
Washington Wizards
Onyeka Okongwu, F, USC
The Wizards will have John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Rui Hachimura in 2020-2021. What they lacked this past year besides healthy bodies, was a powerful center. A center who can attack the basket for tight rebounds. A center to hold down the paint, and can run the floor.
Okungwu is an undersized center, but the league has seen players such as Draymond Green and Bam Adebayo succeed. Okongwu will be a great defender and rebounder in the league.
Phoenix Suns
Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky
The Suns need a point guard. Maxey is another offensive threat at the guard position. Devin Booker and Maxey could rival Portland’s Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum’s scoring talent.
Maxey does have a lack of creating open shots for his teammates. Learning under Ricky Rubio should help his development in passing.
San Antonio Spurs
Killian Hayes, G, Germany
Hayes could be the steal of the draft. Typical for San Antonio to grab a talent this late. Hayes is a great defender and will fit the Greg Popovich standard of sticking to their man. The guard can also create for himself, especially from the step-back jumper.
Having a triple threat of Derrick White, Dejounte Murray and Killian Hayes could be troublesome in the future. All three are capable defenders with a tremendous upside to their offensive game.
Sacramento Kings
Josh Green, G, Arizona
Defense, Defense, Defense. Green can provide quick pace defensive switches that will leave opposing teams in awe. His athletic ability can be used to help limit fast breaks and corner threes.
Green can also fly, as he will be the flashy slasher the King’s need. DeAaron Fox needs a high flyer and speedster to run the floor with him and Green is that player.
New Orleans Pelicans
Nico Mannion, G, Arizona
Lonzo Ball is a great talent, but the team needs a backup. One that can shoot especially. Ball is slowly becoming a reliable shooter, but Mannion is already a great shooter. Mannion can provide offense to a position that the team is lacking in.
Mannion is also a great conductor and learning from Ball could help him improve even more. Although Mannion is great on offense, his defense is not to be drooling over.
Boston Celtics
Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis
The Celtics already have talented forwards. Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown are incredible starters for the team, but off the bench, they only have Semi Ojeleye and Grant Williams. Precious Achiuwa could be the answer to come off the bench until Hayward leaves the roster.
Achiuwa is a great rebounder and can cover every inch of the floor. Having both Brown and Achiuwa could be a nightmare for opposing teams offensively. The Celtics could grab another guard in this draft, however, Brad Stevens is very fond of the younger guys in Carson Edwards, Tremont Waters, and Romeo Langford.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow John Devereaux on Twitter @NBADevereaux
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
3 Responses