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We are now just hours from draft night, teams are zeroing in on prospects, scouting every possible facet of their game and making decisions that could change their teams future for better or worse. Draft night is notorious for its head-scratching trades and picks. Nobody can really predict what is going to happen tonight, if anyone tells you they can... they are lying.
With this being my final mock draft, I have ranked, scouted, and watched film on over 65 prospects. Using up-to-date metrics and filling team needs. This will be my final shot at predicting this year's NBA Draft.
1. Anthony Edwards \ Timberwolves
Georgia | Position: G | Height: 6'5" | Prev. 1
Anthony Edwards possesses great poise on the offensive end. He has an NBA ready body with an almost 7-foot wingspan. Edwards is extremely athletic and extremely talented. With his combination of size, strength and speed, he should be able to attack the rim strongly but often doesn't. Also, defensive lapses have continued to be one of the major question marks surrounding Edwards.
2. James Wiseman \ Warriors
Memphis | Position: C | Height: 7'1"| Prev. 2
James Wiseman is the biggest question mark of this years draft. Because his college season got shut down after just a few games, we have very limited film on Wiseman. What we do know is that Wiseman is a beast in the paint. And with his long and athletic frame, he is excellent at altering shots at the rim.
3. LaMelo Ball \ Hornets
Australia | Position: G | Height 6'7" | Prev. 3
LaMelo possesses a tall frame at 6'7," but has handles and a passing ability just like Jason Williams. One critique of Ball's games would for sure be his shot selection. Ball has not had the best shooting percentages, shooting just 25 percent from behind the arc last season. If he cleans that up, he could be the best player out of the 2020 draft.
4. Deni Avdija \ Bulls
Israel | Position: SF | Height: 6'9" | Prev. 4
The 6'9" forward will give defenders fits. Much like Ball, he has been playing professionally since he was around the age of 15. This past season, Avdija played with Amar'e Stoudemire. Stoudemire said in a recent interview with Bleacher Report's Kenny Beecham, "I made sure he is going to be ready for the NBA." Very promising words for the Chicago Bulls. Avdija will fit well in the new Bulls scheme under Billy Donovan.
5. Obi Toppin \ Cavs
Dayton | Position: F | Height 6'9" | Prev. 5
No, Toppin does not fill every whole for the Cavs, but I feel as if he is the safest pick for Cleveland. The Cavs have invested so much in guard play already so it's time they draft someone at the forward position. Toppin is a lob threat that will open up the game for guards like Garland and Sexton. You can expect Toppin to score a lot of easy baskets, but his defense definitely needs some work.
6. Killian Hayes \ Hawks
France | Position: G | Height: 6'5" | Prev. 9
Hayes is yet another good-sized guard in this year's draft. The lefty shooter has hit a cold stretch as of late and that is a reason teams in the top ten might pass on him. On the bright side, Hayes has a strong but raw playmaking ability. His great size and athleticism allow him to lock down on defense, which is what the Hawks are in need of. With the future looking bright for Atlanta, they can pick up a complementary guard piece for Trae Young.
7. Onyeka Okongwu \ Pistons
USC | Position: C | Height 6'9" | Prev. 7
Okongwu, being an undersized center, has a game that largely resembles Bam Adebayo. He is a raw, athletic big man who has no fear in the paint. His speed and agility make him lethal when attacking the rim and his leaping ability makes him lethal when protecting the rim. Okongwu has a long wingspan as well, which he uses to his advantage when rebounding.
8. Tyrese Haliburton \ Knicks
Iowa State | Position: G | Height: 6'5" | Prev. 6
Haliburton already has great size and strength coming into this year's draft, which is why teams are willing to gamble on him so early. He is a scoring guard who can play both the PG and SG positions. He shot the ball at an excellent clip last year making over 50 percent of his field goals and over 40 percent of his three-point attempts. Haliburton's quickness and wingspan make him a decent defender as well.
9. Devin Vassell \ Wizards
Florida State | Position: G/F | Height 6'7" | Prev. 8
Devin Vassell is a new name among lottery picks. Vassell is coming off a great year at Florida State and has impressed even more scouts this offseason. To me, he is the most versatile player in the draft. He can guard multiple positions, making him a great asset on defense. Vassell is super athletic with a well-rounded game. He has great leaping ability and explosiveness. He is also a competent shooter from downtown.
10. Isaac Okoro \ Suns
Auburn | Position: F | Height: 6'6" | Prev. 10
Isaac Okoro could be the missing piece for the Suns. They have been looking for a dominant wing player and Okoro is their guy. He is a difference-maker on both sides of the ball with the ability to guard all five positions. His unique skill set makes him a lockdown defender and his speed makes him great when attacking the rim. He is the versatile player the Suns are in need of.
11. Aaron Nesmith \ Spurs
Vanderbilt | Position: G/F | Height 6'6" | Prev. 11
Nesmith is most-likely the best shooter out of this draft. He can score in multiple ways. Off the dribble, catch and shoot, behind a screen, you name it. In the right system, Nesmith can become an elite player on both sides of the ball. I think the Spurs and Coach Popovic give him that. Nesmith can make an immediate impact with this team, whether it be in a starting role or coming off the bench.
12. Patrick Williams \ Kings
Florida State | Position: SF | Height: 6'8" | Prev. 12
Williams has all the physical tools to become a lockdown defender and he has an improving mid-range game to go along with an already impressive slashing game.
13. Saddiq Bey \ Pelicans
Villanova | Position: G/F | Height: 6'8" | Prev. 13
Saddiq Bey is your prototypical 3-and-D role player, making him a perfect pickup for the Pelicans. New Orleans already has building blocks, now they just need good role players. Saddiq Bey has that type of energy to change the course of games off the bench. He could be a future 6th Man of the Year.
14. Precious Achiuwa \ Celtics
Memphis | Position: PF | Height: 6'9" | Prev. 15
Precious Achiuwa is a high energy, athletic defender who has plenty of size and athleticism to guard all five positions. He can get hot on the offensive side of the ball but still needs to work a little more on his skill set.
15. Kira Lewis Jr \ Magic
Alabama | Position: G | Height: 6'3" | Prev. 14
Kira Lewis Jr. brings a good skill set to the table with the Celtics. He is speedy with a tight handle, can knock down shots and brings plenty of energy.
16. Jalen Smith \ Rockets
Maryland | Position: PF\C | Height: 6'10" | Prev. 16
The Rockets should be really happy with this pick. Smith, as a big man, knocked down 37 percent of shots from behind the arc last year. With their two superstars both already having one foot out the door, drafting a four or five in this years draft makes the most sense for Houston. They have not had a PF or C on the roster in a while, so I think it is time they draft one.
17. Cole Anthony \ Timberwolves
North Carolina | Position: G | Height: 6'3" | Prev. 17
Cole Anthony definitely has tremendous upside. He is a very explosive guard that can put up points in a hurry. If Anthony can develop as a playmaker, he could be a huge piece for Minnesota going forward.
18. Tyrese Maxey \ Mavericks
Kentucky | Position: G | Height: 6'3" | Prev. NR
Maxey will be heading back to his home state of Texas at the 18th pick. His contribution of speed and effort will make him great backing up Luka. He has a solid frame with an ability to absorb contact and hit shots from behind the arc.
19. R.J. Hampton \ Nets
New Zealand | Position : G | Height: 6'4" | Prev. 18
Rj Hampton is a very raw athlete coming into this year's draft. I don't expect him to be a major factor in the Nets title run this year, but he can be someone they could build around in the future.
20. Aleksej Pokusevski \ Heat
Serbia | Position: C | Height: 7'0" | Prev. 20
Believe it or not, this is the first 7-footer I have being taken in this years draft. Pokusevski has all the tools to be an amazing player in the league, as he can do a little bit of everything. After Pokusevski develops, he could become a force to be reckoned with.
21. Desmond Bane \ 76ers
TCU | Position: SG/SF | Height: 6'6" | Prev. 21
Desmond Bane is a type of guy where he can impact the Sixers right away. He can shoot and defend. He is your prototypical 3-and-D player. He is coming into the Draft with an NBA ready body and will give plenty of energy as a role player.
22. Josh Green \ Nuggets
Arizona | Position: G/SF | Height: 6'6" | Prev. 22
Josh Green is yet another two-shooter in this years draft. Green, who has showed he can put up points in a hurry, can also be very inconsistent with his jumper. Luckily for Green, players like that have a place in the league. You could expect Green to be a career role player.
23. Theo Maledon \ Knicks
France | Position: G | Height: 6'4" | Prev. 19
Maledon is well equipped to run the screen and roll at a high level. He has a pretty decent ability to finish at the rim and a good passing vision. His shot is inconsistent, but he can work on that over time.
24. Isaiah Stewart \ Pelicans
Washington | Position: C | Height 6'9" | Prev. 24
Stewart's 7'4" wingspan, size and physicality make him a pretty easy choice for the Pels. They need someone off the bench to get big time center minutes.
25. Xavier Tillman \ Thunder
Michigan State | Position: PF | Height 6'8" | Prev. 27
With the likely departure of Gallinari, OKC will have a hole to fill in the spot. Tillman should be ready to step into that role right away. A nice balance of post scoring and speed will make him a good piece for OKC to build around Gilgeous-Alexander.
26. Leandro Bolmaro \ Celtics
Argentina | Position: SF | Height: 6'7" | Prev. 30
Bolmaro is an exciting talent from overseas. He is excellent in transition and has a smooth shot. He will definitely be a guy that has do develop over a number of years, but the potential is there.
27. Jaden McDaniels \ Jazz
Washington | Position: F | Height: 6'9" | Prev. 25
McDaniels has plenty of raw talent, but can he be consistent offensively? That is a question he will have to answer on the court this season. McDaniels does fit the mold of the new era of "position-less basketball." I expect his athleticism and defensive versatility to be a big factor for the Jazz.
27. Tre Jones \ Thunder
Duke | Position: PG | Height: 6'3" | Prev. NR
Tre Jones has shown at Duke that he can play very good on-ball defense. This is exactly what Oklahoma City is looking for, especially after giving up Dennis Schroder in a trade.
29. Jahmi’us Ramsey \ Raptors
Texas Tech | Position: G | Height: 6'4" | Prev. 29
Ramsey's size and athleticism jumps off the charts. The question is whether or not he can be consistent enough to have a role playing year in-year out. If his three-point shot continues to develop, this could be a steal at the 29th spot.
30. Grant Riller \ Celtics
College of Charleston | Position: G | Height: 6'3" | Prev. NR
Riller, with an NBA body, can strengthen the Celtics guard rotation. With Kemba Walker in some of the last years of his prime, it is crucial the Celtics load up on playmaking and shot-creating guards.
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