NBA Draft 2020: 5 biggest "best value" picks throughout the draft

NBA Draft 2020: 5 biggest “best value” picks throughout the draft

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - FEBRUARY 22: Isaiah Joe #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks shoots a three point shot during a game against the Missouri Tigers at Bud Walton Arena on February 22, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 78-68. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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NBA Draft Malachi Flynn (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Tyrese Maxey to the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 21)

Maxey is another player who surprisingly fell and I’m not sure why. Plenty of teams that needed scoring guards (Boston, Orlando, and Miami) all passed on him. When Maxey, who finished at No. 12 on my big board, was around for the 76ers pick, it almost felt too good to be true.

Maxey is a modern-day combo guard. He’s got good very good strength to go with a good wingspan. I was unsure if he was going to be able to be a primary creator in the NBA, but in Philly, that won’t be a problem. Ben Simmons is the perfect jumbo creator that will allow Maxey to play off the ball.

When defenses apply pressure and double-teams to Joel Embiid, Maxey will be able to spot-up and either shoot or attack the gaps. He showed some incredible finishing flashes at Kentucky. I don’t project Maxey as a bad defender, but playing with elite defenders Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle will allow for him to take easier assignments. His 6’6 wingspan should make Philly an even more dangerous defensive team.

Malachi Flynn to the Toronto Raptors (No. 29)

Flynn falling to Toronto is not a huge surprise in terms of where he was supposed to be picked. But I had him at No. 21 on my big board and I love this fit with the Raptors. It’s no secret that Toronto has had success with small guards before in Kyle Lowy and Fred VanVleet. With Van Vleet about to enter unrestricted Free Agency, Masai Ujiri may have found his replacement.

At 22 years old, Flynn is one of the more NBA ready guards in this draft, which should help a Raptors team aiming to get back to the NBA Finals. Like Van Vleet, Flynn has the shooting and IQ to play off of Lowy and Pascal Siakiam, but I trust his handle and creation enough to run the offense when one of the former sits.

Flynn can create for himself and is a masterful pick-and-roll player. A Flynn-Siakam pick-and pop could be deadly. The Raptors’ success in the past few years has stemmed from brilliant draft picks, and I believe they got another steal this year in Flynn.

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