NBA Draft 2020: Change abound under unique circumstances
No. 26 Boston Celtics – Tyler Bey, 6’7″ 216lbs, SF, Colorado
Boston adds another impressive wing to their already stocked collection with Colorado’s Tyler Bey.
A seasoned player at the college level for Colorado, Tyler Bey had an impressive junior season that saw him average 13 points and nine boards per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. Bey is a promising two-way prospect, so there’s a chance he does not fall this far in the draft. Boston got lucky last draft with a productive college player who slid on draft night in Grant Williams and that just might happen for them again this year.
No. 27 New York Knicks – Killian Tillie, 6’10” 220lbs, PF, Gonzaga
For this late in the first round, the Knicks are able to add a solid, ready to contribute player in Tillie.
It’s a shame that we will never get the opportunity to have seen Killian Tillie compete in March Madness one more time for Gonzaga. The Zags were poised for a deep run and Tillie, one of their most productive and consistent players the past four years was going to be right in the center of it all. If Tillie can stay healthy and sharper his body, he should be a productive stretch four for the foreseeable future in the NBA. This would be great value for the Knicks.
No. 28 Toronto Raptors – Kira Lewis Jr., 6’3″ 165lbs, PG, Alabama
Lewis Jr. falls to one of the more favorable destinations in the league where he can develop in the exceptional Toronto system.
Kira Lewis Jr. is not one of the more talked about point guard prospects in this class, but he is a very good one. In his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide, Lewis Jr. averaged almost 20 points per game and improved a ton from his freshman season. He has loads of speed and his burst is going to be his most promising quality from the start in the league. Lewis Jr. would benefit greatly in some solid player development and the Raptors provide just that.
No. 29 Los Angeles Lakers – Cassius Stanley, 6’6″ 193lbs SF, Duke
Los Angeles grabs a guy with lottery talent in Stanley to groom behind their loaded big-name players.
Cassius Stanley didn’t have the explosive, stand-out freshman season many were hoping he would have at Duke, but he quietly played solid basketball after a slow start to the season. Stanley is a freakish athlete who needs to improve as a shooter, playmaker, and work on his overall feel for the game. It wouldn’t be a bad start to observe behind two of the best players in the world in Los Angeles.
No. 30 Boston Celtics – Amar Sylla, 6’9″ 196lbs, PF, Oostende
Boston closes out the first round grabbing a player who will undoubtedly need some time to develop in the G-League, but could pay off down the road.
If the Boston Celtics do indeed decide to keep this pick (their third of the first round) it would likely have to be a draft and stash player. Amar Sylla offers intrigue as a do-it-all power forward who brings load of versatility and potential to the game.
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He would need some time to develop with the Maine Red Claws in the G-League, but that’s no problem at all for Boston given their current situation. He is an intriguing pick to close out round one.