2020 NBA Draft Guide

My 2020 NBA Draft Guide is finally here! Over the last few months, I have watched film of every single prospect and researched every single team’s rosters to make sure you get the best and most accurate information in preparation for the 2020 NBA draft. In my draft guide you will find my big board including 50 prospects, write-ups for each prospect, and a mock draft where I act as the general manager of each team. I promise you won’t find a more informative draft guide anywhere else.

2020 NBA Draft Big Board

Here is my big board including 50 draft-eligible prospects. For each prospect I have written mini scouting reports describing their strengths and weaknesses, their projected draft range based on online mock drafts, and which team(s) they fit best on.

Tier 1: Potential Stars

(One of the two best players on a good team)

1. Killian Hayes, Ball Handler, France

Hayes is a fantastic playmaker who has drastically improved as a scorer and shot-creator in the last year. He isn’t a great athlete but he knows how to change speeds and he uses hesitations to get to the basket. During the last year, Hayes has added step backs and side steps to his arsenal which makes him a very difficult scorer to defend. He is an active defender and has the size and length to be a plus defender at the next level but right now he is a little too aggressive which gets him in foul trouble.

His biggest issue is the fact that he’s extremely left hand dominant. When asked to run pick and rolls to the right, Hayes tends to kill his dribble too early which limits his upside as a scorer and playmaker.

Projected Draft Range: Top 10

Best Fits: Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, and Phoenix Suns

2. LaMelo Ball, Ball Handler, Illawarra Hawks

LaMelo Ball is such an intriguing prospect. He is the best passer in the draft and his creativity on offense is special. He has a nice handle, can create for himself and others, and can be a team’s primary ball-handler in the NBA. His feel for the game is rare for a player his age and his basketball I.Q is off the charts.

LaMelo has some glaring issues. His shot selection is awful, his shooting mechanics need to be overhauled, and his defense was unbelievably awful this season as shown by his 2nd percentile ranking as an overall defender. That is impressively terrible. I buy LaMelo’s upside on both ends of the floor because of his age, size, and basketball I.Q, but if he doesn’t fix his issues he could end up being an inefficient scorer who doesn’t finish well at the rim and can’t defend.

Projected Draft Range: Top 3

Best Fits: New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Chicago Bulls

3. Anthony Edwards, Wing, Georgia

Anthony Edwards is the most talented player in the draft. He’s 6’5 225 lbs. And has unreal natural athleticism. He is unstoppable when he attacks the basket and at the rim, he finishes with incredible power. The main reason why I’m so high on Edwards is because of his ability to create shots off the dribble. With his offensive skillset and physical attributes, he could easily be a 20+ ppg. scorer in the NBA. Guards and wings who can create their own shot at an elite level are running the NBA and Edwards fits that build

Edwards has some pretty glaring issues with his game. He has the potential to be a good defender, but right now he gets lost off the ball and beat off the dribble way too often. He’s a good scorer, but he’s a streaky shooter with inconsistent upper body mechanics. Edwards started playing basketball full time in high school so he has no feel for the game at this point and is playing off raw ability. He has a ton of potential but he has a lot of improving to do.

Projected Draft Range: Top 3

Best Fits: Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Atlanta Hawks

4. Onyeka Okongwu, Big, USC

Onyeka Okongwu was absolutely fantastic this season and showed that he is one of the best prospects in the 2020 class. His defensive versatility combined with his athleticism and basketball I.Q make him the best big man in the class and worth taking in the top three. Just take a look at his advanced stats and you'll see why people like myself are so high on him.

Unfortunately for Okongwu, the value of centers has decreased tremendously in the 2010s and that affects his draft stock. Although he is extremely talented, he isn't a floor stretcher and his passing hasn't developed yet.

Projected Draft Range: Top 10

Best Fit: Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets

5. Aleksej Pokusevski, Wing, Olympiacos B

Poku is one of my favorite prospects in the draft. He is seven feet tall with guard skills and a great feel for the game. It’s rare to see a guy his size have the skillset of a guard. He is a really good passer and has incredible court vision. His passing ability is similar to Nikola Jokic and makes him a very valuable offensive player. Poku can be a very dangerous shooter, especially off the dribble, but he needs to become more accurate from three. I buy his shooting potential because of his 78.3% free throw percentage and solid mechanics, but his 33.3% shooting of the catch is a little concerning. His offensive skill set is tremendous, but his defense might be even more intriguing. He is a very good shot-blocker who can provide high-level rim protection as a weak-side rim protector. His ability to get his hands on the ball and force turnovers is incredible.

Poku’s biggest issues are his turnovers and potential role at the next level. Sometimes he tries to do too much and will force passes into windows that aren’t there. I don’t expect him to handle the ball a ton in the NBA so this issue should be minimized. My biggest question about Poku is what role he’s going to play. He is seven feet tall with basically no inside game on offense and limited versatility on defense because he’s only 200 pounds. If he gets bigger and stronger he should be able to defend multiple positions and score at the rim easier. If not, he could be limited to a role as a stretch four who is limited on defense. There are a lot of paths that lead to Poku being a really good player and I’m buying into his upside, which is very high.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round

Best Fits: New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks

Tier 2: High Level Secondary Initiators/Creators

6. Devin Vassell, Wing, Florida State

Devin Vassell is the best team defender in the draft and will improve the defense of any team that drafts him. He’s also a good spot-up shooter and can create his own shot off the dribble. Vassell is such a productive defender and will rack up a ton of steals and blocks at the next level.

Vassell doesn’t have a lot of upside offensively because he isn’t a great athlete and his handle is pretty weak. He’s also really thin which impacts his ability to finish at the rim and defend multiple positions. He won’t be a star, but he’s gonna be a really good starter and an instrumental part of a contender in the NBA.

Projected Draft Range: Lottery

Best Fits: Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Atlanta Hawks

7. Kira Lewis Jr., Ball Handler, Alabama

Kira Lewis Jr. is a skilled point guard with tremendous athleticism. He has incredible speed and gets to the rim with a quick first step. He also has shooting upside because of his advanced shooting metrics. He is really good as a pick and roll ball handler and can create for himself and others. I believe Lewis will be able to weaponize his ability to generate rim pressure if he improves as a shooter, which combined with his playmaking, could make him a dangerous offensive weapon.

Lewis is 6’3 which is a good height, but he’s also 165 pounds. Since he has a thin frame he gets caught on screens too often and doesn’t project positively as an on-ball defender. Although he is extremely fast and has a good first step, he isn’t vertically athletic and is underwhelming as a finisher.

Projected Draft Range: Late Lottery to Late First Round

Best Fits: Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, and Orlando Magic

8. Isaac Okoro, Wing, Auburn

Isaac Okoro is a terrific defender who has the size and athleticism to guard 1-4s. His on-ball defense is elite and he’s one of the best defenders in the class. He’s a solid ball-handler and an underrated playmaker which leads me to believe he can be a good secondary ball-handler in the NBA. One of his best traits is his athleticism and he has the burst to be a great finisher at the next level.

Okoro has limited potential because he can’t shoot but if he can improve as a shooter, he will be a top-four guy on any team that drafts him. His shooting woes are a serious issue because if he doesn’t improve in that area, he won’t be able to leverage his ability to generate rim pressure.

Projected Draft Range: Top 10

Best Fits: Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns

9. Deni Avdija, Wing, Israel

Deni Avdija is a smart point forward who has good size and shines as a playmaker. He’s good in transition and can run the floor well for a guy his size. He can be a secondary playmaker at the next level. He has the potential to be a self creator and has shot up my big board because he showed he can shoot consistently after returning to action post quarantine. I’m intrigued by his potential as a defender because he has the size and strength to guard forwards and the athleticism to defend some guards. He’s also a really good weakside rim protector.

Avdija has struggled to shoot consistently in the past and has bad shooting indicators (58% free throw percentage) so his shooting ability is questionable. He has shown flashes of being able to create his own shot on the perimeter, but that is a weakness so I don’t think he can be a lead ball handler. I think has some upside as a defender, but he is pretty weak against the PnR.

Projected Draft Range: Top 10

Best Fits: Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Atlanta Hawks

10. Tyrell Terry, Ball Handler, Stanford

Terry is a very intriguing prospect. He is an elite shooter who moves very well without the basketball while also showing flashes of being able to score off the dribble. Terry is also a fantastic playmaker who can run pick and rolls and create for others as a secondary playmaker. He has one of the highest basketball I.Qs in the class which allows him to shine as a ball-handler and off-ball defender despite his physical limitations. Terry played a different role in high school than in college and was more of a primary ball-handler than an off-ball shooter. I believe Terry has the potential to be a primary ball-handler at the next level, though he would need to make drastic improvements to do so. At the bare minimum, he will be a solid starter who can shine while playing beside a star creator or a really good point guard coming off the bench.

Terry is small, standing at just 6’1 and weighing only 160 pounds. If he doesn’t put on some muscle, which I think he will, he will struggle to survive as an on-ball defender and finish through contact. Terry’s biggest issue is his ball handling. He has a weak handle which limits what he can do as a scorer and playmaker. If he doesn’t improve his handle he will not become a primary ball-handler in the NBA.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round

Best Fits: Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks

11. Cole Anthony, Ball Handler, North Carolina

Anthony is a fantastic scorer. He can hit pull up jumpers on the move in either direction and shines in PnR situations because he’s a dynamic shooter. He attacks drop coverage vs PnR by hitting pull up jumpers and drags hedgers into moving mid-range shots. Anthony is also a very solid playmaker and can make drop passes to bigs in PnR. He is a good playmaker in the open court and projects to be good in transition. His ability to create shots for himself makes him very valuable at the next level.

Anthony had a very rough year at North Carolina. His shot selection was very iffy at times and he didn’t finish well at the rim. These issues may be because the Tar Heels didn’t have a lot of talent on their roster and their floor spacing was pretty terrible. Anthony’s free throw percentage is very concerning as well. If you’re an advanced metrics junkie, you won’t like Anthony.

Projected Draft Range: Lottery

Best Fits: Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, and Orlando Magic

12. Tyrese Haliburton, Ball Handler, Iowa State

Haliburton’s best qualities are his passing and basketball I.Q. He is one of the best playmakers in the entire class and can make every kind of pass you need him to make. He also has good size and shot the ball efficiently this year at Iowa State. Haliburton is a smart basketball player who has a high floor on each end of the court.

Haliburton doesn’t have a great handle and struggles to shoot off the dribble. He can create for others but not for himself. Since he has a weak handle he struggles to get to the rim and put pressure on the defense. Haliburton has a low ceiling and will probably never be a high-level primary initiator.

Projected Draft Range: Top 10

Best Fits: Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks

13. Tyrese Maxey, Wing, Kentucky

Tyrese Maxey is a small but crafty combo guard who can score off the dribble and create for others as a secondary ball-handler. He can score on all three levels and is a technically sound defender. He makes up for his lack of athleticism by having really good footwork around the basket. I think his passing is underrated and if he improves his shooting efficiency he should be a very solid starting guard in the NBA.

Tyrese isn’t a very good athlete so he may struggle to finish against better athletes and defend multiple positions even though he is fundamentally sound on that end. He was an inconsistent outside shooter this season, however, he does have good shooting indicators. His low release point could cause him to get blocked a lot in the NBA

Projected Draft Range: Late Lottery

Best Fits: Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic

Tier 3: Quality (although flawed) Starters

14. Patrick Williams, Wing, Florida State

Patrick Williams didn’t start at Florida State, but he showed he has the tools to be a high-level NBA player. He is a huge forward with incredible athleticism who can defend multiple positions at a high level and has the potential to be a solid shooter and scorer. He isn’t a great ball-handler and won’t be a great volume scorer, but he should at least be a really good role player.

For such a good athlete, Williams struggles a lot to move on defense which will limit his upside as a versatile defender. He needs to work on decreasing the size of his calfs at the next level.

Projected Draft Range: Lottery

Best Fits: San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons

15. Desmond Bane, Wing, TCU

Desmond Bane is the definition of a glue guy. He is a dynamic shooter who can shoot off the catch and dribble while also providing playmaking ability. He was a very solid PnR playmaker and can shine in a secondary playmaking role. His ability to shoot off the dribble out of the pick and roll is immensely valuable.

Bane lacks length and athleticism which impacts his finishing and ability to keep up with quicker guards/wings on defense. He’s primarily a shooter and won’t be a high volume scorer at the next level.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Brooklyn Nets

16. Malachi Flynn, Ball Handler, San Diego State

Malachi Flynn will not impress you with incredible size or athleticism, but he is a hooper. Flynn had a phenomenal year at San Diego State this season and was named the MWC player of the year and MCW defensive player of the year. He had a breakout year in which he showed he can play at a high level on both ends of the court. He is a phenomenal pick and roll ball-handler who can score off the dribble (81st percentile on shots off the dribble) and create for others. He can also play off the ball and ranked in the 86th percentile in spot-up situations. His versatility on offense is why I am a huge fan of his.

He’s undersized and isn’t very athletic which limits his upside as a scorer. Since he’s on the smaller side, his defense probably won’t translate to the NBA.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Lakers

17. Grant Riller, Ball Handler, Charleston

Riller is a terrifyingly good scorer. He gets to the rim with ease with a lightning-quick first step and he has tremendous body control around the basket. He does a fantastic job of creating his own shot off the dribble and he can hit difficult shots off step-backs and dribble pull-ups. One of my favorite parts of his game is his range. He hit a bunch of shots from NBA range which will allow him to stretch the defense and open up opportunities for him to get to the rim or get the ball to his teammates for easy buckets. Riller’s ability to play on and off the ball is extremely valuable and he can thrive in a lot of situations.

Riller is just a scorer. He’s not a great creator for others and he is a pretty bad defender. He did show flashes of playmaking ability this season, but there were also a lot of plays where he had tunnel vision and took difficult shots rather than passing to open teammates. Since he’s pretty old at the age of 23, he’s unlikely to get much better than he is now.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, and Philadelphia 76ers

18. Xavier Tillman, Big, Michigan State

Xavier Tillman is a coach's dream. He is a really good defender and can guard in space which is extremely difficult to find in a big. He's also one of the best passing big men in the draft. Tillman isn't flashy, but he does the dirty work.

The biggest issue with Tillman is his shooting. If he could spread the floor, he'd probably be a guaranteed lottery pick. His lack of athleticism is also an issue and will impact his ability to finish at the rim and block shots.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round to Early Second Round

Best Fits: Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets

19. James Wiseman, Big, Memphis

James Wiseman is one of the most naturally gifted seven-footers we’ve ever seen. He is an amazing athlete who runs the floor well and can jump out of the gym. He will be an elite rim runner at the next level because he has very good hands and finishes at the rim with terrifying power. He has beautiful shooting mechanics and has the potential to be a viable shooter in the NBA. The most intriguing part of Wiseman’s game is his defensive potential because he could turn into a special defensive force due to his length and athleticism

James Wiseman has all the physical tools in the world, but his basketball I.Q is absolutely horrendous. He is a slow processor who reads the floor slowly which impacts his ability to defend the pick and roll and make proper rotations. I’m not high on his potential to be an elite rim protector because there are too many times where he hunts for blocks and he leaves his feet way too often even though he has a fantastic standing reach. What concerns me the most about his offensive skill set is his shot selection. Wiseman wants to be a seven-foot-tall creator who can shoot at a high level off the dribble, but he takes the worst shots of all time. In college, he insisted on shooting mid-range jumpers even though he was taller and more athletic than anyone else on the court. I don’t think he can succeed in a high volume role and I don’t see him becoming an All-NBA level defender which is why I'm lower on him than the consensus. I think he would be really good in a low volume offensive role where he’s primarily a rim runner and pick and pop shooter.

Best Fits: Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics

Projected Draft Range: Top 3

20. Jalen Smith, Big, Maryland

Jalen Smith is a mobile big who fits well in the modern NBA. He can finish plays around the rim, block shots, and shoot threes. He shot 37% from three on three attempts last season which is really good for a 6’10 big man. He has a high, quick release that is hard to contest and goes in at an effective rate. His 8.2 BLK% and 88.9 DRtg lead to believe that he can be an effective rim protector in the NBA.

Smith needs to get put on some weight and gain some lower body strength. He is 225-lb. right now and tends to get bullied down low by stronger bigs. He also leaves a lot to be desired as a playmaker. Last season he had a 6 Ast% and only totaled 54 assists in his two years at Maryland which are not very good. His versatility on offense and potential as a rim protector are very intriguing.

Projected Draft Range: Mid to Late First Round

Best Fits: Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Brooklyn Nets

21. Obi Toppin, Big, Dayton

Obi Toppin is one of the best offensive players in the draft. He is a freak athlete who shines as a rim runner but can also space the floor as a spot-up shooter. Toppin is also a very underrated passer and one of the best passing bigs in the class. I buy his shooting potential because he shot just under 40% from three while also shooting over 70% from the free-throw line.

The issue with Toppin is his defense. He has really bad foot speed and a high center of gravity which hurts his ability to defend anyone on the perimeter. He also struggles mightily to defend the pick and roll. I love his offense game but his defense is horrendous. Toppin will be a solid starter because he provides a lot of value as a rim runner and a stretch four, but I’m lower on him because I don’t think his defensive problems are fixable.

Projected Draft Range: Top 10

Best Fits: Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, and Portland Trailblazers

Tier 4: Quality Specialty Players

22. Isaiah Joe, Wing, Arkansas

Isaiah Joe is an elite three-point shooter who shot 37.8% from three on 9 attempts per game in his two years at Arkansas. He is a phenomenal shooter off the catch with a quick release who is incredibly smart with the way he moves without the ball to create open shots for himself. He can shoot from deep and isn’t affected by late contests. He has some upside as an off the dribble shooter as he ranked in the 89th percentile in that category. He uses a fluid pull-back crossover to get into pull-ups and he hit some really difficult shots this season. He is a sound defender who uses his length to get steals and moves his feet well. Isaiah Joe isn’t a high upside scorer or defender because of his lack of athleticism, but he will be a good 3-D wing.

Isaiah isn’t very strong so bigger opponents can knock him off the spot and score at the rim with ease. He can hit difficult shots, but he takes too many of them. His biggest issue offensively is his inability to shoot off screens which will limit his playability if it continues.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, and any team that needs shooting

23. Killian Tillie, Big, Gonzaga

Killian Tillie is a great modern center who will transition to the NBA seamlessly. Tillie is a good three-point shooter who can stretch the floor, but his best quality is his court vision. He has a high basketball I.Q and since he’s so big he’s able to see over the defense and make reads as a secondary playmaker. He also has a solid handle and can get to the rim from the perimeter. Tillie provides value on defense as well because he can switch and defend quicker players on the perimeter. He is such a good prospect, but he has some detrimental red flags.

Killie is 22 years old and dealt with a ton of injuries during his four years at Gonzaga. He hasn’t been able to consistently stay on the court and that may not change. If he didn’t have injury concerns, he would be a potential lottery pick in my eyes.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Boston Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans, and Toronto Raptors

24. Josh Green, Wing, Arizona

Josh Green is a 3-D prospect with incredible athleticism and a decent outside shot. He is an absolute freak of an athlete who can jump out of the gym and his athleticism shines in transition. He runs the floor well in transition and shines next to a really good playmaker i.e. Nico Mannion. In the halfcourt offense, he plays off the ball and provides value as a spot-up shooter who can attack closeouts well. His best quality is his defense. He’s big and strong and moves his feet exceptionally well. If his shot improves he will be a reliable role player in the NBA.

Green doesn’t provide much value offensively because he can’t create his own shot and he struggles to finish at the rim for a guy with his level of athleticism. I think he’ll improve as a shooter, but he has some mechanical issues that could keep him from becoming a reliable shooter which could make him unplayable.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round

Best Fits: Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trailblazers

25. Aaron Nesmith, Wing, Vanderbilt

Aaron Nesmith is an absolute flamethrower of a shooter who shot 52% from three on 8 attempts this season. He is a dynamic shooter who can score in a variety of ways whether off the catch or off the dribble. His long-distance shooting is incredibly valuable and will keep in the league for years to come.

Nesmith is just a shooter and can’t do much besides that. He’s young and a decent athlete so I think he can improve defensively and as a slasher, but his median outcome is an off-ball shooter which is an easily replaceable role.

Projected Draft Range: Lottery to Mid First Round

Best Fits: New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks and any team that needs shooting

26. Saddiq Bey, Wing, Villanova

Saddiq Bey is a 3 and D wing who can provide value on both ends of the court. He is a dynamic shooter off the catch who excels coming off screens, off spot-ups, and off movement. He moves his feet well on defense and has the size to defend some fours at the next level.

Although he is a great shooter off the catch, he doesn’t project to be a good shooter off the dribble in the NBA. He isn’t a great athlete and doesn’t have a good handle either so he won’t be able to attack the rim or create shots for himself. His lack of athleticism hurts him on defense as well as he gets destroyed by quick ball handlers on straight-line drives. My main concern for him on defense is his inability to defend the pick and roll. Bey has versatility on defense but I don’t see him being able to defend guards in the NBA. I think He will be successful as a 3-D role player, but I don’t love his defense as much as everyone else.

Projected Draft Range: Lottery to Late First Round

Best Fits: New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Mavericks, and any team in need of shooting

27. Leandro Bolmaro, Wing, FC Barcelona

Leandro Bolmaro is a tall shooting guard who can play off the ball, score off the dribble, and provide playmaking ability. His ability to create shots off the dribble for himself is mesmerizing. He has a decent first step and he’s able to generate shots at the rim. He’s also a disruptive defender who forces turnovers at a high rate. If he improves as a shooter he could potentially be a really good secondary creator in the NBA.

Bolmaro’s biggest issue is his inconsistent shooting. His inconsistent lower body mechanics lead to poor shooting percentages which he must improve and there are times where he plays out of control which leads to turnovers. His shooting improvement is essential to him being successful in the NBA. Another concern I have with him is his vertical. He’s a good athlete laterally, but he isn’t a good vertical athlete which will impact his ability to finish at the rim.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round

Best Fits: San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors

28. Zeke Nnaji, Big, Gonzaga

Zeke Nnaji is a stretch four who can rebound in traffic and run the floor at a high level. He has the potential to be a good shooter which would allow him to get minutes in the NBA. He’s not the most explosive athlete, but he moves very well for a big and can finish at the rim with power.

He isn’t a very good rim protector and struggles when switched onto smaller guards. I don’t think he will survive on defense. I also question his passing ability. He doesn’t make the extra pass and hasn’t shown the ability to kick the ball out to open shooters when he gets trapped. He can be a floor stretcher, but he was very mid-range dominant at Arizona. I am worried about his issues on defense but his offensive arsenal is intriguing.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fit: Philadelphia 76ers

29. Tyler Bey, Big, Colorado

Tyler Bey is one fine player. He is an undersized power forward who is fantastic on the defensive end of the court. He is very long and has the mobility to defend multiple positions. He’s also very athletic and shines in the dunker spot on offense. Bey has some shooting potential as well, as he shot 40% from three this season and showed the ability to hit shots from mid-range and behind the three-point line.

Bey needs to put on weight to defend bigs in the NBA. If he doesn’t put on some muscle, he’ll need to improve as a shooter or shot creator to have a big impact at the next level. He has some shooting potential but his 40% three-point shooting came on only one make per game. Bey’s defense is too good for him to not get an opportunity at the next level.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fit: Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, and Boston Celtics

Tier 5: High Level Role Players

30. R.J Hampton, Ball Handler, NZ Breakers

R.J Hampton is one of the best athletes in the draft. He has elite speed and he uses it to get the basket and fly past the defense in transition. Hampton’s one of the better playmakers in this draft and combines that with elite athleticism which is why people love him so much. He’s an inconsistent shooter at this point, but if he goes to a team that can improve his mechanics, he could be one of the better players in this draft.

I’m lower on R.J because I don’t see his shooting improving and his defense is concerning. His footwork is inconsistent and some of his misses this year were bad. For those reasons, I don’t see his shooting getting that much better

Projected Draft Range: Late lottery

Best Fits: Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Lakers

31. Nico Mannion, Ball Handler, Arizona

Nico Mannion had a ton of hype in high school but he had a disappointing year at Arizona. Still, he showed flashes of being a potential starting point guard in the NBA. Mannion is one of the best passers in the class. He has incredible court vision and he’s able to make difficult passes in tight windows. He makes complex reads often that lead to easy buckets for his teammates. Nico also showed flashes of being able to shoot the ball off the dribble whether he’s coming off screens or in the pick and roll. He may not ever be a consistent scorer because he lacks size and athleticism, but I believe he can shine in the right role in the right system.

Nico was a much better athlete than everyone else in high school which allowed him to be a high volume scorer. Back then, he could get to the rim and get to his spots with ease. He’s still a good athlete, but in college, everyone else is athletic as well and he struggled this season. He couldn’t get to the rim like he used to, so he forced floaters which impacted his efficiency. Once he did get to the rim, he could only finish consistently with his right hand. He was a poor left-hand finisher in college and I don’t see that improving. What I do see improving about his game is his shooting, though I must admit his shooting numbers were underwhelming this season. Nico will never be an elite point guard, but his court vision and shooting potential leave me optimistic about his future NBA career.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round to Second Round

Best Fits: Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics

32. Tre Jones, Ball Handler, Duke

Tre Jones is a very smart player who excels as a playmaker and a defender. He isn’t a great scorer, but he ranked in the 82nd percentile on catch and shoot situations so he would pair up nicely beside an elite creator. He is pretty strong and moves his feet well on defense which gives him real value despite his offensive limitations.

Tre Jones can’t shoot off the dribble and doesn’t finish at the rim very well. He won’t be a very good scorer, but he’s a fantastic playmaker and will stay on the court because of his defense.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round to Second Round

Best Fits: Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trailblazers

33. Ty-Shon Alexander, Wing, Creighton

Ty-Shon Alexander is a combo guard who can play on and off the ball and provides value as a 3-D wing. He can run the pick and roll, score in isolation, or play off the ball and shoot spot-ups. He can create for himself and ranked in the 79th percentile on shots off the dribble. Alexander’s versatility on offense and three-point shooting (39.9% from three on 6.5 attempts per game) are why I like him.

Ty-Shon isn’t a great athlete and struggles to create separation on offense. Over his entire collegiate career, his defensive rating has hovered around 100 and he’s never had a steal percentage at or above 2.5 which aren’t positive defensive indicators.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Washington Wizards, Portland Trailblazers, Memphis Grizzlies

34. Skylar Mays, Wing, LSU

Skylar Mays is a really good scorer who can shoot the ball off the catch or off the dribble. He shot 39% from three and 85% from the free-throw line so I believe his shooting will translate. Don’t sleep on Mays’s range because he can shoot from DEEP. Mays is a decent ball handler who primarily uses step backs and spin moves to create open shots for himself. On defense, he has the potential to be a good off-ball defender.

Mays has absolutely no explosiveness whatsoever. He isn’t a very good athlete so he’ll struggle to create space and defend on the ball at the next level. Since Mays is 22 years old, I don’t see him being able to improve that much athletically which makes him an off-ball shooter with limited upside as a scorer and defender.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Charlotte Hornets

35. Theo Maledon, Ball Handler, France

Theo Maledon a young developing point guard. He doesn’t do anything at a spectacular level, but he does everything well. He’s a good passer who can make a variety of passes. He’s a good finisher around the basket who uses good footwork, good body control and touch to make up for his lack of athleticism. He isn’t a great defender, but he tries hard and can improve since he’s only 19. If Maledon becomes an above-average shooter, he will be a reliable starting point guard.

Like I mentioned earlier, Maledon isn’t a great athlete and that limits his ability to get to the basket and lowers his upside as a scorer. Maledon needs to continue to improve as a shooter to reach his full potential.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round

Best Fits: Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Utah Jazz

36. Mason Jones, Wing, Arkansas

Mason Jones is a very intriguing prospect. He is one of the more polished scorers in the class, showing Luka and Harden-esque craft as a shot creator. He is a fantastic finisher who generates free throw attempts at an insanely high rate of 67%. He shows some upside as a secondary playmaker and off-ball defender as well. His ability to hit tough shots off the dribble is absolutely fantastic and makes him a valuable prospect in the right role.

Jones is a very limited athlete which impacts his defensive upside and limits how good of a slasher he can be in the NBA. He’s also not a great shooter and can be streaky since he takes a lot of difficult shots. Mason Jones is a special high volume scorer, but I don’t think he has the shooting consistency, playmaking, or defensive ability to be a high-level starter. I think he’d be best utilized as a high usage sixth man who provides a scoring punch off the bench.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Minnesota Timberwolves

37. Devon Dotson, Ball Handler, Kansas

Devon Dotson has been one of the better players in college basketball over the last season. His speed combined with his defense makes him an interesting prospect. Dotson has a nice first step that allows him to generate pressure on the rim. His speed is his best quality and if he improves as a shooter off the catch, he can be a nice scorer off the bench.

Dotson isn’t a great playmaker and he struggles shooting off the dribble so I don’t think he can be a point guard in the NBA. If he continues to improve as an off-ball shooter, he could be a nice scorer off the bench, but I don’t think he’s a good enough shooter or playmaker to be a starting guard.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trailblazers

38. Nate Hinton, Wing, Houston

Nate Hinton does two things; shoot the ball and play defense. He is a solid shooter (38.7% from three on three attempts and 75.6% from the free-throw line) who does his damage primarily off the catch. He has good size for a shooting guard and he uses his length to wreak havoc in the passing lanes. His 2.7 STL%, 2.2 DWS, 3.7 DBPM, and 89.7 DRtg are all impressive and lead me to believe he could be a good defender. One of the more impressive parts of Hinton’s offensive skill set is his court vision. He isn’t an elite playmaker, but he is a very solid secondary playmaker who makes beautiful passes in tight spaces.

Hinton is not a very good shot creator and struggles to create space off the dribble. Since he struggles to create space, he will likely be an off-ball shooter and I‘d like to see him become more consistent as an off-ball shooter.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors

39. Cassius Winston, Ball Handler, Michigan State

Cassius Winston is one of the best shooters in the draft. He is incredible at hitting shots off the dribble out of the pick and roll and off the catch. As well as being a really good shooter, he’s also a good playmaker and has a high basketball I.Q. Winston is a good creator for others as well as himself and will be a good backup point guard in the NBA.

Winston isn’t a great athlete which will impact his upside as a scorer and hurts his ability to defend on the ball. His size also hurts his on-ball defense.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and New Orleans Pelicans

Tier 6: Potential Rotation Pieces

40. Paul Reed, Big, DePaul

Paul Reed is one of if not the best defender in the class. Just look at these numbers; 1.9 spg., 2.6 bpg., 3.3 STL%, 9.7 BLK%, 88.8 DRtg, 2.3 DWS, and 4.2 DBPM. Those are elite defensive metrics and the eye test is just as impressive. Reed is a great weakside rim protector who makes impressive rotations to block shots. He isn’t the most mobile big man in the world, but he has the length and foot speed to be a solid perimeter defender at the next level. He is a really good finisher at the rim and has some potential as a creator since he’s surprisingly comfortable handling the basketball. This is wishful thinking but Reed could possibly develop into a solid spot-up three-point shooter considering he shot 33% from three and 74% from the free-throw line.

Reed needs to change his shooting mechanics to become an adequate shooter. If he improves as a shooter he could become a top 10-15 guy in the class. On defense, he has a tendency to hunt for blocks and gives up easy layups as a result. He’s also not very good in drop PnR coverage.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fit: Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, and Boston Celtics

41. Jaden Mcdaniels, Wing, Washington

Jaden McDaniels has Impressive size for a small forward at 6’10 and he pops off the screen when you turn on the film. Great handle for a guy his size. Has shooting potential and can be a versatile defender. Impacts shots at the rim and on the perimeter.

McDaniels is a terrible passer and a terrible decision-maker. He will run into a crowded area rather than kick the ball out to open teammates. Since he has a small frame, he struggles to finish at the rim. It’s hard to project him as an on-ball defender because Washington runs a ton of zone. Has potential but needs a lot of development.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round to Early Second Round

Best Fits: Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Toronto Raptors

42. Elijah Hughes, Wing, Syracuse

Elijah Hughes is a versatile shooter who excels off the catch (37% off the catch) but can shoot off the dribble if necessary. He can stretch out defenses with his range and he does a good job of sliding to open spots on the court to get open without the ball in his hands. He only shot 34 percent from three this year, but he was Syracuse’s only scoring option and was forced to take difficult shots. He shot 81% from the free-throw line this year and 37% from three on good volume last season so I think he will be a good shooter at the next level especially if he’s just an off-ball shooter. He provides value as a pick and roll ball handler and can open up teammates by confusing the defense with his eyes.

Hughes isn’t a very good finisher and struggles to adjust to contact at the rim. He only shot 53.6% around the basket which is sub-par. At times he struggles as a PnR ball handler making reads too late, throwing inaccurate passes, and getting stripped by help defenders. He won’t be a PnR ball handler at the next level. He was a pretty good shot blocker this season, but since he played in the famous Syracuse 2-3 zone it’s difficult to determine whether or not he will be a good on-ball defender or not.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, and New York Knicks

43. Jalen Harris, Wing, Nevada

Jalen Harris had a phenomenal year this season, averaging 22 points, 4 assists, and 7 rebounds per game on 45/36/82 shooting splits. He is a phenomenal shot creator who can hit shots off the dribble or attack the rim. Harris is a really good athlete with a great first step who finishes at the rim with power and can finish through contact. He can be a good scorer coming off the bench.

Jalen Harris needs to improve as an off-ball shooter if he wants to have a big role in the NBA because there are better shot creators than him in this years’ shooting guard class. He can be an ok defender going forward, but he is out of place too often. He’s not a good enough defender to make up for his off-ball shooting woes.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round to Undrafted

Best Fits: Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors

44. Payton Pritchard, Ball Handler, Oregon

Payton Pritchard is a really good playmaker who can make advanced reads and passes well with both hands. He’s a tremendous shooter as well who can shoot off step backs, screens, spot ups, and he has a lot of range on his jumper. Pritchard is really fun to watch and his playmaking combined with his shooting is valuable.

Payton is undersized and isn’t a good athlete so he won’t be a high-level creator at the next level and he may struggle to defend on the ball (He had a steal percentage of at least 2.5 the past two seasons so maybe he can be a productive off-ball defender).

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and New Orleans Pelicans

45. Robert Woodard II, Wing, Mississippi State

Robert Woodard II is a very smart player with a high basketball I.Q. He is a solid playmaker and an instinctive passer who makes good reads and sets his teammates up with easy shots. He was a good three-point shooter in college, shooting 42.9% from three this season. Right now he isn’t a good shot creator, but he showed flashes of being able to shoot off the dribble. He has good length and shines as a P.O.A. defender.

Woodard II only shot 64% from the free-throw line, so I don’t see his three-point shooting translating. He has some defensive potential, but he’s out of place on defense too often for me to believe he will be a good team defender.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Portland Trailblazers and Chicago Bulls

46. Precious Achiuwa, Big, Memphis

Achiuwa is an athletic four who can defend multiple positions, rebound, and score in the pick and roll. He is a really good athlete for a power forward and he can move well. His defense is absolutely fantastic. He can protect the rim and go out on the perimeter and defend quicker guards. His versatility on defense is incredibly valuable.

There were flashes of creation ability on the perimeter from him this year, but his lack of shooting touch will keep him from becoming even just an average perimeter scorer/shooter. He’s also a questionable decision-maker and settles for contested shots instead of hitting open teammates way too often. I love Achiuwa’s defensive versatility and athleticism, but he is so bad and reckless offensively that it’ll be hard for him to stay on the court.

Projected Draft Range: Lottery to Late First Round

Best Fits: Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers

Tier 6: Back End Role Player

47. Borisa Simanic, Big, Serbia

Borisa Simanic is a tall big who can spread the floor with his three point shooting. He's a really good shooter off the catch and at 6'11 he can get shots off easier than most players. He also has some playmaking flashes and he's a good enough ball handler to attack closeouts.

Although he is a somewhat similar prospect to Aleksej Pokusevski, he's 22 years with an underdeveloped frame, and teams may not want to wait for him to develop. Simanic has a very intriguing skillset due to his ability to spread the floor, attack closeouts, and make plays for his teamates, but he needs to gain weight and improve defensively. At his age, there isn't a lot of time for him to develop which is a huge issue.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round to Undrafted

Best Fits: Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Orleans Pelicans

48. Jay Scrubb, Wing, USA

Jay Scrubb is the top JUCO prospect in the draft for a reason. He is a freak athlete with a lot of potential as a scorer off the dribble. He has a good first step and he finishes well at the rim even through contact. He’s a solid scorer off the dribble from the perimeter as well and showed flashes of being able to hit shots off step backs this season. He shot 46% from three during the 2018-19 season so there’s potential for him to be a good shooter.

Jay Scrubb has a scorers mentality but he doesn’t have a high basketball I.Q. He takes a lot of bad shots and commits too many stupid turnovers. He gets tunnel vision way too often and will force contested shots around the rim rather than kicking the ball out to open shooters. There’s one concerning thing about Scrubb’s statistical profile. His three-point percentage fell from 46% to 33% and his free throw percentage fell from 79% to 72% this season even though the volume didn’t rise that much. I believe that happened because of his shot selection issues.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round to Undrafted

Best Fits: San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Hornets

49. Abdoulaye N’Doye, Ball Handler, France

Abdoulaye N’Doye is tied with LaMelo Ball as the biggest point guard in the class standing at 6’7. His size allows him to see the court better and rack up steals on defense. N’Doye is a good playmaker who won’t make super-advanced reads, but he has decent court vision and does a good job of hitting open shooters when he drives into the paint. He is a pretty good athlete and he uses his athleticism to leverage his playmaking. This year, N’Doye shot 43% from three on one attempt and 75% from the free-throw line.

Abdoulaye is an older prospect at the age of 22, so his upside is limited. He is an inconsistent shooter and isn’t a good shot creator from the perimeter, so he most likely will never be more than a backup point guard.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round to Undrafted

Best Fits: Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks

50. Lamine Diane, Big, CSU Northridge

Lamine Diane was one of the best players in college basketball for the past two years, but you’ve probably never heard of him. He averaged 25.1 points 10.8 rebounds 1.6 steals and 2.1 blocks per game on 53.8% TS% (48/28.6/66.3 shooting splits) over his two-year collegiate career. He also recorded a 2.5 STL% and 6.2 BLK% during that time which is very impressive. Diane is a tremendous athlete and an elite low post scorer and defender. He can handle the ball in transition and shines when he attacks the basket.

Diane is a complete non-shooter right now and will need to overhaul his shooting mechanics to ever be a respectable shooter. He is also 22 years old, which is rather old for a redshirt freshman, so I have some doubt that he will improve that much. Diane has the potential to be good, but he is raw and doesn’t have the build to be successful with his playstyle.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round

Best Fits: Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, and Boston Celtics

2020 NBA Mock Draft

Here is my official mock draft which shows what I would do if I were the general manager for each franchise. This only includes the first round and all of these picks are based off my own talent evaluation, team fit, and salary cap management. Also, there are no trades and each team will stay where they are slotted to pick.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - Devin Vassell, Wing, Florida State

This is an extremely difficult pick to make because none of the top prospects fit with the Timberwolves' roster or their timeline. Anthony Edwards seems like a logical fit due to the Wolves' positional needs, but I don't think Minnesota is a great destination for him to develop. Rather than picking a player that doesn't fit the roster and would likely fail as a result, I'm picking Devin Vassell. The Timberwolves need a wing with Malik Beasley hitting free agency and Vassell is a perfect fit because of his team defense and pull-up shooting. I believe he has enough upside to make this reach worth it in the long run, so I'm comfortable taking this risk.

2. Golden State Warriors - Anthony Edwards, Wing, Georgia

The Warriors should trade this pick, but since there are no trades in this mock draft, I'm taking Anthony Edwards. I believe this is the best team for Edwards to go to because he could develop into a star under the mentorship and direction of the Warriors' big three and their head coach, Steve Kerr. The Warriors have no depth right now, and Edwards fixes that problem immediately while also having the potential to be a star one day.

3. Charlotte Hornets - Killian Hayes, Ball Handler, France

The Hornets get lucky as the best player in the draft falls into their lap. Killian Hayes is a phenomenal passer and a developing shot creator that can be a primary initiator at the next level. What separates him from the rest of the pack is his two-way impact. He will enter the NBA as a positive on the defensive end and that is immensely valuable to me. The Hornets just need talent and Hayes is the best player in the draft. This also allows the Hornets to move on from Terry Rozier ASAP, so that is a huge victory.

4. Chicago Bulls - LaMelo Ball, Ball Handler, NBL

I understand that the Bulls drafted Coby White last year, but that shouldn't keep them from picking LaMelo Ball. The Bulls need a playmaking point guard who can make up for Zach Lavine's deficiencies on the defensive end of the floor. Ball fits that mold, though it may take time for him to turn into a plus defender. I love his ability to create for his teammates as well as himself, and I believe that it would be a mistake for the Bulls to pass on LaMelo.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers - Aleksej Pokusevski, Wing, Serbia

The Cavaliers have screwed themselves. They have a lot of young players on cheap deals, but they ruined that by adding the hideous Andre Drummond contract last season. Now they're in salary cap hell with just a few young players that look to be solid at best. With all this in mind, I'm looking for a player with high upside that could be a star in the future. That player is Aleksej Pokusevski (aka Poku). Poku is the youngest player in the draft and will need a year or two before he's ready to play in the NBA. Once he increases his weight and improves his frame, I believe he can take off due to his guard skills.

6. Atlanta Hawks - Isaac Okoro, Wing, Auburn

As a Hawks fan myself, I really wanted Vassell or Hayes to fall to us, but I am completely fine with Isaac Okoro. The Hawks should continue to surround Trae Young with wing defenders that will make up for his pathetic defense. This pick does just that and adds another wing to the mix in Atlanta. You can never have too many wings.

7. Detroit Pistons - Kira Lewis Jr.

The Pistons just need talent at this point because they suck. Their roster is a huge pile of crap and needs a lot of fixing. I love Kira Lewis Jr. and the flexibility he provides this roster. With him on the team, the Pistons can move on from Derrick Rose and possibly get some value in a trade. To be completely honest, Lewis is a raw point guard with a lot of skill, but I believe he just needs a ton of reps to tap into his potential. With Christian Wood likely to return in the offseason, I don't think Onyeka Okongwu is a smart pick here, so I'm taking the point guard of the future.

8. New York Knicks - Deni Avdija, Wing, Israel

The Knicks signed twenty big men last off season and they have a great young center in Mitchell Robinson, so I'm not picking Onyeka Okongwu. They desperately need talent though and they have a hole at the small forward position. Deni Avdija fills that gap and gives the New York fanbase some hope for the future. Hopefully the Knicks can improve his shooting mechanics and develop him into more of an advanced creator.

9. Washington Wizards - Onyeka Okongwu, Big, USC

Onyeka Okongwu is too good to fall any further and the Wizards are in dire need of good defenders. Okongwu is a versatile defender who can play any type of PnR coverage and will be a great addition to the John Wall/Bradley Beal duo in Washington.

10. Phoenix Suns - Tyrese Maxey, Wing, Kentucky

After the Chris Paul trade, point guard is no longer a position of need for the Suns. Rather than picking a guy like Tyrese Haliburton who can play off the ball or lead the second unit as the backup point guard, I'm going with Tyrese Maxey who has a lot of upside. Maxey is a quality secondary ball handler who needs to improve as a long distance shooter to tap into his potential. He can develop on a competitive Suns team that could use another wing now that Kelly Oubre Jr. is gone.

11. San Antonio Spurs - Patrick Williams, Wing, Florida State

Patrick Williams is a high upside player who needs to make some changes to his body to improve his lateral quickness and reach his potential. He is a solid pull up shooter and secondary playmaker, but he still needs to improve as a perimeter defender. The Spurs' development program is among the best in the league and Williams could thrive in San Antonio.

12. Sacramento Kings - Desmond Bane, Wing, TCU

The Kings are facing a tough situation. Buddy Hield wants out and Bogdan Bogdanovic hits free agency this offseason. Desmond Bane is a great shooter that also provides secondary playmaking upside. If the Kings can improve his on ball defense, he could be a high level starter for them.

13. New Orleans Pelicans - Cole Anthony, Ball Handler, North Carolina

I wasn't very impressed by Lonzo Ball in the bubble. He struggled to hit shots and he was terrible when shooting around the basket. Cole Anthony had a rough freshman season at North Carolina, but he can play on and off the ball and he's one of the best scorers in this class. I like his potential as a playmaker and a point-of-attack defender as well and believe he can be a valuable player even if he has to come off the bench.

14. Boston Celtics (from Grizzlies) - Tyrese Haliburton, Ball Handler, Iowa State

I worry about Haliburton because of his week handle and inability to shoot off the dribble, but he fits the Celtics' roster extremely well. He can play off the ball as a spot up shooter while being one of the best playmakers in this class. He could also play point guard with the second unit which would eliminate all of Brad Wannamaker's minutes. This is such a good fit and I can't pass up the opportunity to draft Haliburton.

15. Orlando Magic - Tyrell Terry, Ball Handler, Stanford

Orlando Magic need a scoring threat and Tyrell Terry will fill that void. Terry is a lights out shooter that can shoot off the catch and off the dribble while providing playmaking ability even as a secondary ball handler. He'll need to get bigger and put on some muscle to be a quality starter, but this is a good spot for him.

16. Houston Rockets - James Wiseman, Big, Memphis

The fall of Wiseman ends here. This is a great spot for him, as he won't be asked to do too much and he can develop beside one of the best scorers in the league. I personally think the Rockets don't need to blow everything up just yet. It's not clear if they'll be able to get enough assets in return in a Harden or Westbrook trade, so I think they should go all in on this season to try to win a championship. The Rockets need size if they want to contend with the Lakers and Wiseman provides that. He also provides some floor spacing which makes this fit even more intriguing.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Nets) - Xavier Tillman, Big, Michigan State

It's no secret that Karl Anthony towns is a poor defender. However, he's arguably the greatest shooting big in the history of the NBA. If the Timberwolves want to be successful as quickly as possible, they need to surround KAT and D'angelo Russell with high level defenders. Xavier Tillman is a great defender who can defend in the post and in space. Drafting him would allow the Wolves to play Towns along the three point line more and would give them a huge boost on the defensive end. I love this fit.

18. Dallas Mavericks - Grant Riller, Ball Handler, Charleston

I want to put a high level secondary creator next to Luka Doncic, and Grant Riller is the perfect candidate. He's an athletic three-level scorer who can be successful playing off the ball next to Luka. Malachi Flynn deserves consideration here, but Riller's ability to play off the ball makes him a better fit.

19. Brooklyn Nets (from Sixers) - Isaiah Joe, Wing, Arkansas

With Joe Harris hitting free agency, I believe it's best to draft someone that can play next to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant and spread the floor. Isaiah Joe is one of the best shooters in the draft and has the size and length to one day be a plus defender. If Joe Harris ends up leaving, Joe is a good replacement.

20. Miami Heat - Malachi Flynn, Ball Handler, San Diego State

Malachi Flynn is one of the more skilled players in this draft. He's a versatile player that can play on and off the ball on offense while providing solid defense on the other end. The Heat have a lot of players facing free agency this off season and getting a player that can immediately impact winning in the playoffs is key here. Malachi Flynn can step in and give you valuable minutes right away.

21. Philadelphia 76ers (from Thunder) - Aaron Nesmith, Wing, Vanderbilt

It's unfortunate that none of the top point guards fell to this spot, but there's still a few great shooters left and the 76ers sure need shooting. Aaron Nesmith is a terrific shooter and will help the 76ers' floor spacing which has been quite terrible over the last couple of years.

22. Denver Nuggets (from Rockets) - Obi Toppin, Big, Dayton

Obi Toppin is too talented to fall any further. Although I'm afraid of his defensive woes, I love what he provides on the offensive end and I believe that he can at least help the Nuggets win more regular season games. If the Nuggets can improve his lateral mobility, watch out.

23. New York Knicks (from Jazz) - R.J Hampton, Ball Handler, NBL

The Knicks desperately need a point guard and R.J Hampton is the best available on my board. Hampton is one of the best athletes in the class and has shown flashes of being a quality playmaker. If he improves as a shooter, he should be able to weaponize his athleticism and use it to his advantage.

24. New Orleans Pelicans (from Bucks) - Jalen Smith, Big, Maryland

Jalen Smith would be a great fit next to Zion Williamson. He can spread the floor and he's one of the better shot blockers in the class. This is a pretty seamless fit in my opinion and turn the card in without a second thought.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Nuggets) - Leandro Bolmaro, Wing, Argentina

This is purely an upside pick. Leandro Bolmaro won't play year one because of his overseas contract, but he is a jumpshot away from being a really good secondary initiator. I trust that the Thunder's development program can develop his shooting and help him reach his potential.

26. Boston Celtics - Killian Tillie, Big, Gonzaga

The Celtics need size at the center position, but all of the bigger big men are off the board. They'll have to settle for Killian Tillie, who's one of the most skilled centers in the draft. He can switch on defense and spread the floor, which makes him extremely valuable.

27. Utah Jazz (from Clippers) - Tre Jones, Ball Handler, Duke

Tre Jones can step in and have an immediate impact on a contending Jazz team. He is a terrific defender and his jumpshot is good enough for him to crack a starting lineup in the NBA. The Jazz need someone to backup Mike Conley and Tre Jones is a good selection in case.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Lakers) - Josh Green, Wing, Arizona

This is a steal for the Thunder. Josh Green is one of the better on ball defenders in this class and will provide a lot of value to the Thunder because of his defensive prowess. If the Thunder can develop his jumpshot, this pick will age quite well.

29. Toronto Raptors - Zeke Nnaji, Big, Arizona

The Raptors may lose Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol in free Agency, so they need to replace those players. Zeke Nnaji is a tremendous play finisher and has the potential to be a floor spacer in the NBA.

30. Boston Celtics (from Bucks) - Saddiq Bey, Wing, Villanova

The Celtics don't need to make a third selection, but at this point the value is just too good. Saddiq Bey is a good shooter with the potential to be a solid secondary playmaker. I don't buy his defensive versatility, but he's too good to fall out of the first round.

Now onto the 2021 NBA draft!