Oregon Basketball: 2020 NBA Draft Profile for Payton Pritchard
By Andy Patton
Draft Stock
Payton Pritchard is pretty comfortably showing up in the second round of nearly every 2020 mock draft, usually in the 40-50 range.
That feels about right, as the teams picking in that range tend to be competitive teams who are looking for someone who can contribute right away, as opposed to rebuilding teams who might use a second-round pick on a developmental project as opposed to a well-rounded player with limited upside.
Pritchard seems unlikely to slide much higher than 38 or so, but I think it would be a surprise for him to fall out of the draft entirely, and even outside the top 50 or so picks would raise some eyebrows.
Without as many reports on team visits and scrimmages thanks to COVID-19, it’s hard to get a sense of which teams have expressed interest in the guard, although the need for a change-of-pace, mistake-free backup point guard on just about any team makes him desirable.
Team Fit
Again – there are very few teams who wouldn’t want what Pritchard can bring to the table. I do think, much like Killian Tillie, that Pritchard will end up on a team with playoff aspirations, thanks to his advanced age and NBA readiness.
The Celtics, who pick at No. 30 and No. 47, could be a strong option here. Pritchard would be a reliable backup point guard behind Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart. I doubt they’d take him at No. 30, but if he’s around at pick No. 47 then Brad Stevens and company might want to pounce.
The 76ers, who have four second-round picks, make some sense here as well. As a facilitator next to or behind Ben Simmons, Pritchard could spot up as a shooter or take the ball and allow Simmons to slash or even post up. Simmons’ defensive prowess would help make up for Pritchard’s deficiencies on that end as well.
Next. PAC-12 Preseason Power Rankings. dark
Portland at No. 46 could make some sense as well, keeping the kid in the only state he’s ever hooped and bringing in a change of pace guard behind Damian Lillard.
Other mocks have placed Pritchard at No. 40 to Memphis, No. 45 to Orlando, and No. 53 to Oklahoma City, all teams that make some degree of sense for the sharpshooter from Oregon.