NBA Draft 2020: Updated first-round mock draft following lottery drawing

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 30: LaMelo Ball of the Hawks looks on with RJ Hampton of the Breakers during the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on November 30, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 05: Saddiq Bey #41 of the Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Forward. Sacramento Kings. Saddiq Bey. 12. player. 84.

Guesstimating who the Kings will pick in the lottery, in any year, is an inexact science. The resignation of GM Vlade Divac may mean there’s one less mad scientist in the front office, but there’s still no certainty that the Kings will refrain from behaving like, well, the Kings.

With Buddy Hield upset with his role, Bogdan Bodganović heading into free agency, the team’s history with drafting prominent college players, and their love for big wings, Saddiq Bey is a name that regularly pops up when discussing Sacramento’s draft targets for his perimeter shooting (career 41.8 3P%) and ability to play both forward spots at his size (6’8, 220 pounds). It wouldn’t be shocking if the Kings went with Vanderbilt’s Aaron Nesmith with their first-rounder, either.

Sacramento fits: Devin Vassell, Tyrese Maxey, Tyrese Haliburton

11. player. 29. . Forward. San Antonio Spurs. Patrick Williams

The definition of a “Spursy” draft pick has shifted in recent years, with Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford valuing athletic traits and physical tools, with the goal of tapping into any existing or hidden upside through their development staff (e.g., Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker IV, Keldon Johnson, etc.).

The youngest American in the class, Patrick Williams is a bundle of outlandish strength and vertical leaping ability with excellent help-side rim protection and budding offensive skills to boot. Putting Williams in San Antonio’s developmental system could pay massive dividends in the long run.

San Antonio fits: Devin Vassell, Patrick Williams, Aleksej Pokuševski

10. player. 66. . Wing. Phoenix Suns. Devin Vassell

There will certainly be interest in some of the guards available at this spot since Ricky Rubio is more of a stopgap as Phoenix’s starting point guard due to age (29) and contract (two years left), but the Suns have a potential formula to maximizing Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton by surrounding the duo with versatile, two-way wings.

Devin Vassell stands as the draft’s best team defender, even drawing comparisons to current Sun Mikal Bridges, while providing adequate floor-spacing (career 41.7 3P%) and underappreciated upside as a pull-up shotmaker (38.3% on halfcourt pull-ups) on the offensive end.

In his first year as Phoenix’s general manager, James Jones targeted a pair of high-major sharpshooters in the first round (Cam Johnson, Ty Jerome), so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he seriously considers Aaron Nesmith and Saddiq Bey with the pick. Both would be slight reaches here, but he’s proven that he’s not afraid of public perception when it comes to picking his guys.

Phoenix fits: Killian Hayes, Devin Vassell, Tyrese Maxey

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