2020 NBA Draft: Tyrese Maxey, Kira Lewis big rising in latest Big Board

26. Skylar Mays – LSU – 6’4, 205 lbs- September 1997

Mays is one of the older prospects in the draft and he plays like a veteran. He’s a savvy offensive player, using a variety of ball fakes to create separation. Mays profiles as a classic two-guard at the next level. He’s a good shooter off the catch, improving each season at LSU. He’s got soft touch around the rim and shot 85% from the free throw line. Despite a lack of athleticism, Mays found ways to finish at the rim. Despite a lack of burst, I think Mays will have legitimate equity as a secondary playmaker. He was one of the best pick-and-roll ball handlers in the country (98th percentile).

Given his age and lack of athleticism, Mays lacks upside. But shooting is at a premium and Mays’ shooting, combined with his IQ and creation ability make him a safe bet to be a plus offensive player that can stick in a rotation.

27. Josh Green – Arizona – 6’6, 210 lbs – November 2000

I’m probably a bit lower on Green than most, who projects to go in the middle of the first round. He’s a prototypical wing, with a strong frame and good athleticism. He’s best on the defensive end, using his length and foot speed to be a true pest off the ball. He constantly guarded the opposing team’s best player and did a good job.

To reach his max outcome, Green will have to hit catch-and-shoot threes at a relatively high volume. He shot 36% last season, but his mechanics, specifically his lower half, concern me. Green isn’t much of a creator and when he does get to the rim, he is super right-hand dependent. He graded well in spot-ups and in transition but was objectively bad in pick-and-roll and cutting situations. I do think Green’s build and defense give him a high-floor as a guy who will stick in a rotation. And there is some enticing upside if he can work at the offensive kinks.

28. Jaden McDaniels – Washington – 6’9, 200 lbs- September 2000

McDaniels is one of the more polarizing prospects in this class. In any game, he can go from doing some marvelous athletic play to consecutive mind-bogglingly bad shots. He entered the draft cycle as a projected lottery pick but his inconsistent play has dropped his stock. The upside with McDaniels is clear. He’s a super long wing, with good leaping ability and foot speed. In Washington’s zone defense he was an absolute menace covering up space. Offensively, McDaniels showed flashes of creation ability. He is a good shooter, finishing in the 83rd percentile in catch-and-shoot jump shots.

But for all the flashes he showed, there were his flaws. His wiry frame did not hold up well against contact, particularly at the rim where he shied away from contact. He had 3.2 turnovers to just 2.1 assists, often trying to do too much and missing open players. However, given his unique build, athleticism, and the very real chance he’s a good shooter, there should be a spot in the NBA for McDaniels. He probably needs G-League time and some rewiring of the way he plays, but the upside is certainly there.

29. Isaiah Joe – Arkansas – 6’5, 200 lbs – July 1999

Joe is another one of the best shooters in this draft. In his two seasons in Fayetteville, he shot 37.8% from deep on over nine attempts per game. He graded out as pretty average in catch-and-shoot situations but took a lot of contested shots in Arkansas’ high three-point volume offense. He spent the majority of his possessions in spot-up scenarios but showed the ability to shoot off the movement as well. He’ll need to improve as a finisher when teams run him off the line.

Defensively, I came away more impressed with Joe than I anticipated. He’s a smart off-ball defender who was active in passing lanes. He is not super quick on the ball but showed some aggression. As long as he can be a league-average defender, his offense should help him succeed. Joe lacks playmaking ability but paired next to a primary creator he could be a solid three-and-D wing in the NBA and I believe he’s getting overlooked.

30. Zeke Nnaji – Arizona – 6’11, 240 lbs – January 2001

Nnaji entered his freshman year as the most unheralded of the Wildcat freshman, but after a strong season, there’s a real chance he is the first of the trio drafted. Nnaji is an athletic big man, who dominated Pac-12 play last season. For someone with his size, he’s an impressive fluid runner and leaper. He showed good touch finishing around the rim, while also averaging over one dunk per game. He projects to be a good lob threat off the pick-and-roll and not a traditional back to the basket big. Defensively, Nnaji can bang with NBA bigs because of his size and his high energy and motor should make him a positive player on that end.

Nnaji will need to hone in on his passing and shooting to reach his potential. He’s a slow processor who had a 0.8 to 2.2 assist to turnover ratio. Nnaji only took 17 threes, but he has a soft touch and shot an impressive 45% on long twos. Those suggest Nnaji could be somewhat of a three-point shooter at the next level. Nonetheless, his size, motor, and athleticism should help him carve out a role as a rotation big.