NBA Draft 2020: Change abound under unique circumstances
No. 4 Atlanta Hawks – LaMelo Ball, 6’7″ 190lbs, PG, Illwara Hawks (Australia)
Atlanta can try the NBA’s newest (and potentially rewarding) wacky experiment by pairing Ball with Trae Young.
If you’ve read prior mock draft that I’ve done, I’ve been on LaMelo to Atlanta for a little while now. If Atlanta were to try this experiment it would be the ultimate boom or bust pick, but the reward could be so, so fun. Ball is a tantalizing prospect. Dynamic as a passer, streaky as a shooter, and unknown as a personality.
Still, the Hawks have enough young pieces that they still need to figure out that they can afford to at least try the Ball-Trae Young backcourt. The passing and shooting would be exciting to watch unfold. If it doesn’t work out, the Hawks can move on. Still, LaMelo has the talent to be picked this high and he can make it pay off.
No. 5 Detroit Pistons – Killian Hayes, 6’5″ 187 lbs, PG, France
The Pistons need to find themselves a reliable floor general to run their offense and they can get just that in Hayes.
The Pistons officially punted on their season (and era) at the trade deadline when they moved Andre Drummond to Cleveland for a shockingly low return. The team also moved on from point guard Reggie Jackson, and now all they are left with is a hobbled Blake Griffin. Enter Killian Hayes.
Hayes may not be as well-known as the other top guards in this draft, but he might be the most talented. Hayes offers the Pistons a player who should turn into a reliable and mature ball-handler who can initiate offense and score for himself. It’ll take a bit to reach that point, but the Pistons have time and Hayes is a natural fit for them to start their rebuild.
No. 6 New York Knicks – Cole Anthony, 6’3″ 184 lbs, PG, UNC
The Knicks are in need of a big name and big-time talent, Anthony gives them the opportunity to have both with one pick.
It’s a bit odd that if the season ends officially and the draft order fell as predicted in this mock, the Knicks would only be picking at six. Still, New York actually manages to get their hands on a talented player in Cole Anthony. The Knicks have nice pieces in R.J. Barrett, Kevin Knox, and Mitchell Robinson, but they need someone to run their whole operation.
Anthony is a score-first guard, but he can still mesh well with the young Knicks core. Anthony gives the Knicks a floor-general, leader, and someone who isn’t afraid of the moment or the bright lights in MSG. It feels like New York has needed this type of guy for a long time, and they could have it with the UNC product.
No. 7 Chicago Bulls – Deni Avdija, 6’9″ 215lbs, PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Chicago gets some much-needed shooting and a player who could outplay where he was taken years down the road.
Outside of Zach Levine’s scoring exploits and Coby White showing some flashes, it’s been a painful season in Chicago. Much of that can be traced back to Coach Jim Boylen, but part of it is also the fact the Bulls need more talent on the court. Chicago has plenty of size in their frontcourt, but the team needs more shooting.
Deni Avdija is a bit less known among common fans of college hoops due to being an overseas product, but the 19-year old offers an intriguing mix of size and shooting. Avdija should be a formidable three-point threat from the get-go and he has the size to impact on both ends of the court. Avdija needs to add strength and other dimensions to his game, but he’s given some much-needed breathing room on the court next to Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.
No. 8 Charlotte Hornets – James Wiseman, 7’0″ 247lbs, C, Memphis
The Hornets continue to build to their intriguing young core with Wiseman, who at a time was thought to be the best player in this class.
Wiseman’s draft-day slide comes to an end at the hands of Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets have an interesting young backcourt in Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham and a nice wings in Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington. Now, they need someone to mane the middle. Wiseman offers a large frame and guard-like skills that should be solid fit in the modern NBA.
There’s going to be questions swirling regarding Wiseman’s condition and mentality, especially given his long layoff from active games, but the high-risk, high-reward is worth it here for the Hornets. If Wiseman taps into his on paper potential, he can quickly boost the Hornets rebuild plans moving forward.
No. 9 Washington Wizards – Tyrese Haliburton, 6’5″ 175lbs, PG, Iowa State
On a roster filled with uncertainty, the Wizards pick up a steady hand and reliable playmaker in Haliburton.
This season, the Wizards have scored a ton of points and that’s been led by All-Star snub Bradley Beal. On the other end, Washington has given up a TON of points. John Wall continues to rehab from his torn Achilles, but how he’ll look upon return is up in the air. He’s aging, and he’s also on one of the worst contracts in the league.
Tyrese Haliburton might be the best playmaker in the draft and he should offer legit two-way production from the point guard spot. At six-five and with gifted vision, Haliburton is likely the best playmaker in this draft. His shooting is streaky, but that can be correctable. His size and instincts should also help him thrive defensively. Haliburton provides a nice safety net in Washington for John Wall.