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NBA Draft 2020: Change abound under unique circumstances

By Daniel Priest

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats is introduced before a game against the Utah Utes during the annual Neon Hoops Showcase benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer at T-Mobile Arena on December 18, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Utes defeated the Wildcats 69-66. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats is introduced before a game against the Utah Utes during the annual Neon Hoops Showcase benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer at T-Mobile Arena on December 18, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Utes defeated the Wildcats 69-66. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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ATHENS, GA – JANUARY 27: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA – JANUARY 27: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

No. 1 Golden State Warriors – Onyeka Okungwu, 6’9″ 245lbs, PF/C, USC

With the unique circumstances regarding this pick for the Warriors and a lack of a consensus No. 1, Okungwu becomes the surprise top dog.

Hear me out. There’s probably not a lot of people out there who see Onyeka Okungwu as a No. 1 pick. Lottery guy for sure, top-10 guy in all likelihood. Still, the Warriors should pick entirely on need here. Anthony Edwards is not going to be their guy after the way the D’Angelo Russell experiment failed, and they don’t need any more guards.

They need some presence in the middle. For a long time, James Wiseman has been thought to be that guy, but after he departed from Memphis and Okungwu had a brilliant season for USC, I see him as the best big man prospect in the class. Okungwu can offer Golden State legit defense and roll-man potential from day one, and that’s what they need as the Curry-Thompson window closes. It’s a shock, but the move makes sense.

The pre-draft process likely would have gone a long way towards initiating conversations in the Wiseman-Okungwu debate, but that’s up in the air now. Still, Okungwu has months of footage to go off of showing his success, while Wiseman hasn’t played in an official game in months. He’s not the flashiest No. 1 pick, but Okungwu can offer a lot in the immediate future and even more later on.

No. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers – Anthony Edwards, 6’5″ 225lbs, SG, Georgia

The Cavs luck out and get the (likely) best player available in this draft at No. 2 due to the roster construction of the Warriors.

It’s been a rough couple of seasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but their might finally be a light at the end of the tunnel if the Cavs can, in fact, grab Anthony Edwards in this draft. Edwards is not perfect for a top guy – he’s inconsistent, he’s particularly weak on the defensive end, and he wasn’t always a winner in college,  but he’s loaded with potential.

If Edwards can patch all of his scoring tools together, he should become a dynamic offensive threat due to his combination of shooting and athleticism. Cleveland still needs to figure out what to do/who to keep out of Darius Garland-Collin Sexton-Kevin Porter Jr., but Edward’s talent should be too much to pass on.

The Cavs probably won’t be getting many stops if this is the move they make, but they will at least be fun to watch score on the other end of the court.

No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves – Isaac Okoro, 6’6″ 225lbs, SG/SF, Auburn

The Wolves need complementary players to pair with D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns, they can nab a good one in Okoro.

Back at the beginning of the college season, it would have been absurd to have pegged Isaac Okoro as a top-three pick in the NBA Draft. However, this season Okoro has been one of the biggest risers amongst prospects and has carried Auburn to the surprising mark they reached this season.

He’s extremely raw still on the offensive end, but Okoro is a menace on defense and he plays with a non-stop motor. That just so happens to pair well with a couple of offensive studs in Minnesota in D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns. Playing with those two, Okoro would have space to utilize his best skill of slashing to the basket and running the floor hard.

The Wolves’ need guys who care and want to defend, so Okoro makes for a perfect fit. The biggest key to success for Okoro and Minnesota will be improving his shaky stroke from beyond the arc.

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