NBA Draft 2020 Big Board: Updated top 60 player rankings

A final mock NBA Draft Big Board with less than a week to go.

The 2020 NBA Draft has been drummed up as one of the worst in years. While the top-level talent like a Zion Williamson, Luka Doncic, or Cade Cunningham isn’t there, I still believe in this draft. There are tons of players all over the board who could make an impact as a role player. Teams should be able to find value in the late first round and early second.

For clarity, this is a big board, not a mock draft. Some of these players will likely be picked much higher or lower than they are listed on here. My big board projects the value these players will return, in a vacuum.

1. Anthony Edwards – Georgia – 6’5, 225 lbs – Aug (2001)

Since his explosion at the Maui Invitational, Edwards overtook James Wiseman for the No. 1 spot on my board and nobody did enough to pass him since. Edwards is a well-built wing with good athleticism. He’s also relatively young for the class, which should help with his development.

Edwards had an up-and-down season at Georgia, but it is important to think about the team context he was in. He was taxed with carrying a very limited offense, requiring him to take tough shots. Edwards has never really played in a positive team context throughout his career, which should change at the next level.

Ultimately, I think there are many pathways for Edwards to succeed. I think he’ll eventually be good enough to create on offense, with his burst and pull-up shooting ability. He’s got a clean shooting stroke and is a good cutter off the ball. Defensively he has lapses, but he showed enough flashes of point of attack and defense and has the tools to be a plus defender. I’m not sure he’ll ever be an All-Star, but if one player from this class turns into one, my money would be on Edwards.

2. Tyrese Haliburton- Iowa State – 6’5, 175 lbs – February (2000)

This is a bit high on Haliburton, but I have always been a massive fan of his game. I’ve seen him live in different settings over the past few years, and he always impresses.  Haliburton has one of the highest floors of any player in this draft. He’s a basketball savant, consistently making brilliant passes.

Haliburton isn’t a true point guard but paired next to another creator, he could be super dangerous. There are concerns about his jump shot but he hit over 42% of his threes last season. Defensively, he’s not the best on-ball defender, but he’s got great lengths and instincts off the ball. There’s definitely a lower ceiling on the Iowa State product given his lack of burst, but I believe his high-floor outweighs that.

All accounts on Halliburton is that he’s a high-character guy, who will make a positive impact in a locker room from day one. If not asked to do too much early in his career, Haliburton will make some franchise very happy.

3. James Wiseman – Memphis – 7’1, 237 lbs, – March (2001)

At 7’1, 237 pounds, Wiseman feels like a safe bet to be a good NBA player. The game has shifted away from his style of play, but with his sheer physical tools, he should be a nightly double-double threat. There are concerns with his feel, and having not played a real basketball game for an entire year doesn’t help, but the basis is there for Wiseman to be a good player. He’s shown flashes of a jump shot so if that expands, he could be a potential 15-20 points per game scorer.

His pick-and-roll and perimeter defense may never get to playoff level, but his sheer size should make him a good rim protector. For bad teams at the top of the lottery, Wiseman should be an immediate contributor in the frontcourt.

4. Killian Hayes – Ratiopharm Ulm – 6’5, 216 lbs – July 2001

Hayes checks in as the first true point guard on my board. At 6’5, he’s got good size for a point guard and he uses that height to pass over smaller defenders. He’s got a quick first step and can pass with either hand. Hayes has made steady improvements as a shooter and is someone defenses must respect from deep. He’s creative in the pick-and-roll and continues to make progress with his handle.

Hayes is also one of the best defensive guards in this draft. He applies pressure to opposing ball-handlers and has quick hands and feet. The defensive skills make him a safe pick to be a solid role player at worse, and if the offense continues to grow, he has a shot to be really good.

5. LaMelo Ball – Illawarra Hawks – 6’7, 180 lbs – August (2001)

The most polarizing and discussed player in this class is easily Ball. He’s got amazing physical tools for a point guard at 6’7, and is the best passer in the draft. He has a slick handle and some legitimate burst.

My concerns with Ball stem from how much of his skill and ability translates to winning. He had fairly good statistics in the NBL, but it just didn’t translate to any sort of winning. His jumper has improved and he’ll get volume up, but I worry about what he does if he’s playing off the ball. Defensively, he is kind of a mess right now. He lacks effort and basic instincts.

Regardless of that, 6’7 playmakers are valuable and rare. His ceiling is higher than almost everyone but Edwards’, but I do think he could cap out as a “good stats, bad team” player.