NBA Draft 2020: Best/worst fits for this year’s consensus lottery picks

Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova

Best: Phoenix Suns (10)

Following the shocking selection of UNC marksman Cameron Johnson in last year’s lottery, plenty of jokes and critiques circulated regarding general manager James Jones’ preferences as an executive, with many quipping that he seemingly wanted to acquire players who reminded him of himself. Jones was a polished, sweet-shooting wing during his heyday, and Johnson fit that description to a ‘T’.

Well, if that turns out to be truly emblematic of Jones’ preferences in terms of the draft process, then Villanova’s Saddiq Bey could be the next in line. Phoenix should look for a long-term option at point guard to pair with Devin Booker in the backcourt or a wing with more of a defensive impact, but Bey would cleanly slot into a wing rotation that features other intelligent off-ball movers.

His relocation instincts and spot shooting would fit in well at either forward spot in Phoenix, and his experience in a pro system under Jay Wright in college could significantly cut down on his NBA learning curve.

Worst: Boston Celtics (14), Washington Wizards (9) 

Bey is a smart combo-forward who can drill shots off the catch and create off the bounce on occasion, which could conceivably entice the Celtics into considering him at 14, but his shortcomings as a prospect make his fit a bit dubious.

He’s not quick enough to hang with wings full-time, meaning he’s likely a four at the next level, but Boston went down the power forward route last summer by drafting Grant Williams with a first-round pick.

It’s unlikely that they would go down that road again, especially with the stark differences in the two forwards defensive capabilities; Bey is a smart and polished player, but his team defense is quite lacking, and he simply lacks the requisite athleticism (recovery speed, vertical explosion) to make a positive impact as a helpside rim protector or switch defender out on the perimeter. It could work out, but it wouldn’t be an ideal pick for either party.

And of course, if the Wizards were to go out and acquire another offensive forward with questionable defense with a premium draft pick, adding on to a roster full of defensively-challenged players, that would be quite a mistake. It should be a defense-or-bust approach for Washington this year, with plenty of two-way wings and bigs projected to be available in the back-half of the lottery.