2020 NBA mock draft: Final projections for entire first round

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The NBA has turned into the wild west over the last 48 hours as teams around the league have shuffled their rosters at an alarming rate. We’ve already seen picks changing hands and Wednesday night’s draft could bring plenty more action.It’s a whirlwind of a week with the trade moratorium lifting, followed by the draft and then the opening of free agency on Friday. You need a giant whiteboard to keep up with the changes around the league, but with training camps expected to open in just two weeks, the league is doing its best to go through a normal offseason in a matter of a couple of days.Over the last week, prospects have gone through another round of Zoom interviews with members of the media. Some players were upfront about which teams they have met with and others preferred to keep that information in-house. It’s still a wide-open field from pick No. 1 all the way to No. 30. Here is a look at NBC Sports Bay Area’s 2020 Mock Draft 21.1.

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1/30

Measurables: 6-foot-7, 190 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

The T-Wolves shook things up at the deadline. Gone are Andrew Wiggins, Jeff Teague, Robert Covington and Gorgui Dieng. Minnesota is prepared to move forward with Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell as their tandem. Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez played extremely well after joining the squad via trade in February, but both are restricted free agents. This team has depth issues at multiple positions and a blank canvas to work with.

Why Ball?

Ball met with the Timberwolves this week and then worked out in front of another group of teams, including the Warriors, who own the No. 2 overall pick. He has exceptional court vision and passing skills, although the rest of his game needs refining, like most rookies. His shot is all over the place and his commitment on the defensive end is an issue, but this is the top tier of lead guards in this year’s draft. Minnesota can go in a bunch of different directions, but in the end, the argument could be made that Ball is the top talent in this draft and at a position of need.

2/30

Measurables: 7-foot-1, 235 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs 

Outside of the core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, the Warriors base is pretty weak. They could definitely move this pick to grab a more mature player that can help right away, but there is a chance they fall in love with a young prospect that can be part of the next generation of Warriors basketball.

Why Wiseman?

Golden State will field calls all the way up to the moment they have to make this selection. Wiseman has the physical makeup to be a game changer in the post. He’ll need time to develop, but that doesn’t mean he can’t earn minutes early in his career as a rim runner, rebounder and shot blocker. Early prediction is that the Warriors will try to trade down while and add veteran talent. If they stick here, it’s likely between Wiseman and Deni Avdija.

3/30

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 225 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

Charlotte made a splash last summer in free agency when they spent big bucks on Terry Rozier. He isn’t a frontline starter, but he’ll manage the spot for the next few years. They’ve also added a pair of intriguing forwards in P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges over the last two drafts and guard Devonte’ Graham came out of nowhere to become a player. The Hornets could use depth all over the court, but they have a hole at center moving forward.

Why Edwards?

The top three picks are still up in the air. Edwards has the best scoring potential of the lot, but there are some concerns about his how he fits with either of the top two teams. Charlotte would be crazy not to run to the commissioner with this pick. They need a star in the worst way and while there are some question marks surrounding Edwards and his focus, he is one of the few players in this draft with game changing potential.

4/30

Measurables: 6-foot-9, 215 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

Chicago has high-end young talent at most positions, although they have had issues staying healthy and playing together. Point guard is the most glaring weakness for the team. They’ve searched for an answer since Derrick Rose began his decline and left the squad. They could also use depth around the horn, but that isn’t what a top four pick is for.

Why Avdija?

In a late shift, we’re moving Avdija up a spot on Draft Day 2020. There is enough smoke in the air to see a potential trade between the Bulls and Warriors. If Golden State moves back, this is likely their target. Avdija needs to improve his shooting stroke and get stronger to compete at the NBA level, but he has a tremendous IQ on both sides of the court and can play either forward positions. 

5/30

Measurables: 6-foot-9, 245 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

Everything. Cleveland doesn’t have a franchise player to build around and it’s likely won’t find one at the top end of this draft. Colin Sexton and Darius Garland have talent, but both have a ceiling. The Cavs also have a stable of bigs, but none of them are long term solutions. Adding the best talent possible should be the only objective for this team.

Why Okongwu?

Okongwu is slated to go anywhere from No. 4 to No. 9 in this year’s draft. He’s a difference maker on the defensive end and a player that can impact the win/loss column. The Cavs have an overloaded front court, but most of their veterans are short term solutions. Okongwu fits the player arc of their two young guards and could be a nice piece to the rebuild in Cleveland.

6/30

Measurables: 6-foot-6, 225 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs 

The Hawks can score and their brand of basketball is at least somewhat entertaining. They have a number one option in Trae Young and John Collins is a nice secondary scorer. Adding Clint Capella and Dewayne Dedmon at the deadline added depth to the front line and they have some promising young scorers in Kevin Hueter, Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter. They could use depth at wing and power forward, plus someone who plays defense.

Why Okoro?

Okoro can be a game changer on the defensive end where he can guard three positions at a minimum. He’s raw offensively, but he has a huge motor and impacts the win/loss column. Atlanta has plenty of scoring options, but they need this type of player on the wing if they hope to win games. The Hawks will get plenty of calls on this pick if Okoro is still on the board.

7/30

Measurables: 6-foot-8, 225 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

Detroit hit the reset button at the deadline, dealing away Andre Drummond and waiving Reggie Jackson. These two moves left the team with massive holes at point guard and center, to go with massive holes at the shooting guard and small forward positions.

Why Williams?

Williams is one of the youngest players in the 2020 NBA Draft and his potential is almost a mystery after playing in a restrictive system at Florida State. He’s climbing up draft boards at an alarming rate and there is a good chance he lands in the top seven, whether the Pistons are making the selection or trading it to someone else. The 19-year-old can defend both forward positions, but his offense was untapped in his lone NCAA season.

8/30

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 175 pounds
Age: 20

Team Needs

What do you get for the team that needs everything? The Knicks think they have a keeper in RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle played well in his first season in the Big Apple. New York also has Mitchell Robinson, who is developing quickly at center. They have a major need at point guard, small forward and overall depth.

Why Haliburton?

The Knicks need a point guard and with Ball off the board, Haliburton might be the best option. If he falls this far, Haliburton would be a great fit in New York. He stuffs the stat sheet as well as any player in the draft and he’s also an extremely impressive interview. He’ll be a hit in the Big Apple, especially if his skill set translates.

9/30

Measurables: 6-foot-9, 220 pounds
Age: 22

Team Needs

Outside of Bradley Beal, the Wizards have plenty of needs, especially if they lose Davis Bertans in free agency. John Wall is set to return next season, but there are plenty of question marks with the former All-Star point guard. Rui Hachimura was a nice pick last season and Thomas Bryant is somewhat serviceable at the five.

Why Toppin?

Toppin runs the floor, finishes above the rim in the pick-and-roll and can even step out and shoot the rock. This could be the type of player that reinvigorates a franchise, but he’ll need help. There is talk of a potential John Wall-Russell Westbrook swap leading up to the draft. Either point guard could figure out how to use a leaper like Toppin.

10/30

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 185 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

On paper, the Suns look solid. Devin Booker is their star. Deandre Ayton is developing into a double-double machine in the block and now they’ve added future Hall of Famer Chris Paul to the mix. Point guard looks like a future need, they could use a rim protector to help improve their overall defense and another scorer would help as well.

Why Hayes?

Hayes appears to be the big riser in this year’s draft. The Suns made the big move for Paul, but at 35, he can’t play forever. Hayes is a big, versatile left-hander with a developing offensive game and above-average court vision. He could play a backup role for the next two seasons and learn from one of the best the game has ever known.

11/30

Measurables: 6-foot-7, 194 pounds
Age: 20

Team Needs

A time machine. Half of Spurs roster is on the wrong side of 30 and they need an infusion of talent. The youth of the team; Dejounte Murray, Bryn Forbes, Derrick White and Lonnie Walker; have yet to take any measurable leap in performance. The Spurs can use help at center, power forward, small forward and both guard positions. 

Why Vassell?

Vassell projects as one of the best 3-and-D wings in this year’s draft. He shot over 42 percent from 3-point range last season at Florida State and he has nice length and athleticism to defend either the two or three. San Antonio is in rebuild mode. They need long-term solutions at almost every position on the floor and Vassell projects as a player that might be able to help right away and has plenty of potential to grow.

12/30

Measurables: 6-foot-3, 165 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

The Kings made a splash when they hired Monte McNair to take over as the new head of basketball operations. He’ll likely rewrite their draft board and any player on the roster not named De’Aaron Fox should be ready for a wild couple of months. Sacramento has solid depth across the board, but Harry Giles, Alex Len and Kent Bazemore are all unrestricted free agents. Bogdan Bogdanovic is on his way to the Milwaukee Bucks in a sign-and-trade, which could impact the team’s draft. Donte DiVincenzo, D.J. Wilson and Ersan Ilyasova are heading to Sacramento in the transaction.

Why Lewis? 

Sacramento wants to run. The Kings have Fox to lead the charge with the first unit, but they could use another speedster off the bench. Lewis is lightning quick and he can score in bunches. He’s not a great defender, but he can handle the ball, create for others and he plays the passing lanes well. The Kings will look at Aaron Nesmith and Precious Achiuwa at this point as well, but if they want to turn up the tempo, they need another player that can hit the gas. Pairing Lewis with DiVincenzo on the second unit would give the Kings some big-time pop.

13/30

Measurables: 6-foot-6, 215 pounds
Age: 21

Team Needs

This is a team packed with young talent on the rise. They have solid pieces at the one, three, four and five and a nice veteran holdover in J.J. Redick at the two. They need depth and shooting, like every team in the league, especially with Redick turning 36 in June. They could also use more size at the three. 

Why Nesmith?

New Orleans needs shooters in a bad way and Nesmith is one of the best in the draft. He knocked down 52.2 percent from 3-point range on 8.2 attempts per game before being shut down with an injury. He moves well without the ball and can hold his own on the defensive end as well. The Pelicans are actively shopping some of their veteran players, which means that nothing is off the table. If they stay at No. 13, Nesmith would be a nice combination of best player available and best fit.

14/30

Measurables: 6-foot-9, 225 pounds
Age: 21

Team Needs

Boston is in a good place at most positions. They have plenty of young high-end performers and two very good veterans in Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward. They have a glaring hole at center, but finding a player that can go from the draft to the rotation on a top tier team isn’t easy.

Why Achiuwa?

Achiuwa falling to Boston might be a perfect scenario for both the player and the team. Daniel Theis is solid, but the Celtics could use a high-motor player like Achiuwa. He sets huge screens, has skills as a roller and has the potential to be a defensive anchor. Boston has two additional first-round picks, which means they’ll have an opportunity to fill other gaps in the rotation later on. 

15/30

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 190 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

Orlando is surprisingly well stocked with talent, although the mix of players needs some tweaking. So far they are ahead on the Markelle Fultz gamble, which might take care of the point guard spot long-term. They have Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Nikola Vucevic filling out the remainder of the starting five. They could use an offensive spark plug and someone to help fill backcourt minutes in the future. 

Why Hampton?

Hampton hurt his value slightly with his play in Australia, but it appears that he’s turning some heads during the draft process. He’s incredibly fast from one end of the court to the other and he has the ability to change speed and direction at an elite level. There is a possibility that Hampton could continue to move up draft boards in the coming week. He has a skill set that should translate well to the NBA game.

16/30

Measurables: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

The Rockets are a hot mess. James Harden and Russell Westbrook both want out and ownership seems to be in asset collection mode. This changes this pick dramatically. Houston needs a center and potentially a couple of new guards. The Rockets might fill some of those holes in free agency and through trade, but they need to draft the best player available at this spot. 

Why Maxey?

Kentucky guards usually have a lot more to their game than they were able to show at the NCAA level. Maxey is an aggressive player on both ends of the court and he’s versatile enough to eat time at the point and shooting guard spots. He has focused on improving his perimeter shot during the pandemic and there is a chance he climbs higher than this on draft night.

17/30

Measurables: 6-foot-8, 215 pounds
Age: 21

Team Needs

The Timberwolves have plenty of gaps to fill. They should land a high-level player in the top 10, but they need another strong selection here at No. 17. Point guard, center and small forward are all priorities.

Why Bey?

The T-Wolves will swing for the fences with their top selection, but they should focus on a solid base hit here with the 17th pick. Bey is solid all around and looks like a player that can instantly step on the floor and play minutes. He can defend the three and the four and knock down an open jumper, which should keep him in the league for a long time.

18/30

Measurables: 7-foot, 200 pounds
Age: 18

Team Needs

It’s pretty basic. The Dallas Mavericks need players that can play alongside Luka Doncic. They have a few players on the roster that make sense, but they need to surround the budding superstar with shooters at every position and let him go to work. 

Why Pokuševski?

Pokuševski is a smooth shooting 7-footer with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, but there are questions about his toughness and he is rail thin. The Mavs need immediate help, but they can find that on the free agent and trade market. Doncic is a superstar and he’s only 21 years old. The Mavs need to find players that support him now, but also a group that he can grow with. Pokuševski is a gamble, but the potential is there.

19/30

Measurables: 6-foot-7, 180 pounds
Age: 20 

Team Needs

The 2019-20 Nets have completely different needs than the 2020-21 Nets. With Kevin Durant joining the squad, as well as a hopefully healthy Kyrie Irving, this should be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. They have point guard, small forward and center well stocked and this may become a destination location for free agents. Brooklyn could use some help at the power spot and like most teams, they could use more shooting.

Why Bolmaro?

Bolmaro is a creative playmaker with nice court vision and plenty of range on his jumper. While he isn’t an elite athlete, he’s crafty and plays hard. Brooklyn needs to fill their roster with support pieces around their stars. They’ll also have a group of veteran free agents looking to chase a ring. That means roster spots will be at a premium and a draft and stash prospect like Bolmaro might be in play.

20/30

Measurables: 6-foot-10, 225 pounds
Age: 20

Team Needs

One of the deeper teams in the Eastern Conference, Miami doesn’t have a lot of glaring weaknesses. They could use a veteran point guard in case Goran Dragic leaves in free agency. Jae Crowder is also an unrestricted free agent that could land elsewhere. 

Why Smith?

Smith has worked hard to turn himself into an NBA prospect. He’s added a 3-point shoot, improved his rebounding and block numbers and made himself into a prospect. He needs to add some weight to defend some of the bigger centers in the league, but there is a lot to like about his skill set. The Heat rarely miss in the draft and Smith could be a perfect long term pairing next to Bam Adebajo.

21/30

Measurables: 6-foot-3, 170 pounds
Age: 20

Team Needs

Philly has one of the best starting fives in the NBA. They also have one of the worst second units. They can go in a lot of different directions at this point in the draft. They need a big to fill in when Joel Embiid goes down. They could also use a point guard that can eat minutes and allow Ben Simmons to play at one of the other four spots on the floor. 

Why Terry?

The Sixers need shooters desperately and Terry can hoist from anywhere on the court. The Stanford guard is a riser in this year’s draft after growing an inch and packing on a bunch of muscle. If he can earn minutes, Terry’s ability to space the floor could really help Embiid and Simmons.

22/30

Measurables: 6-foot-3, 185 pounds
Age: 20

Team Needs

Denver has done a solid job of stocking up on talent. They are set at most positions, although they could use a change of pace point guard or a long-term replacement for Paul Millsap at the four.

Why Anthony?

Anthony was a top prospect coming into the year, but he seems to be going the wrong way during the draft process. He has plenty of potential, but there are a lot of point guards available. Denver could be a perfect landing spot where Anthony could rebuild his stock and grow as a player in a limited role. He could be another diamond in the rough for a team on the rise.

23/30

Measurables: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds
Age: 22

Team Needs

This is the Knicks’ second pick, including one in the top 10 of the draft. They have way too many holes to fill, including point guard, small forward and center. At this point in the draft, you are looking for someone with enough talent to compete and possibly steal some minutes later in the season, although pick No. 27 has produced some nice players. 

Why Flynn?

This is the first time we’ve moved Flynn into the first round, but he’s climbing boards across the league. After taking a year off while transferring from Washington State, Flynn made major strides in his lone season with the Aztecs. He can launch from anywhere, loves the flashy play and has two-way potential. The Knicks need help all over the court, but they have a glaring hole at the point. Flynn is an older prospect that has potential to step in and see time in Year 1.

24/30

Measurables: 6-foot-10, 185 pounds
Age: 20

Team Needs

New Orleans acquired this pick on Monday as part of the return of the Jrue Holiday trade. The Pelicans added Eric Bledsoe and George Hill in the transaction, which leaves their backcourt overflowing. They still need depth at the three, four and five, which they might be able to fill with this additional selection.

Why McDaniels?

McDaniels is a bit of an enigma. He has a big-time NBA body and all kinds of potential, but the concerns about his motor likely will cost him on draft night. The Pelicans are extremely young, but they boast two tremendous up-and-coming forwards in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. McDaniels will need to fight for time, but he could develop into a very nice combo forward.

25/30

Measurables: 6-foot-4, 175 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

OKC hit the jackpot with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and he learned from one of the best in Chris Paul. However, Paul and Dennis Schroder have both been dealt over the last few days, leaving the backcourt relatively bare. The Thunder could use more depth at the wing and they could be in trouble if Danilo Gallinari leaves in free agency.

Why Maledon?

Maledon has good size and has shown some ability playing in Europe. The Thunder added Ricky Rubio in the Paul trade, but he isn’t a long-term solution. Maledon has potential, but he’ll need time and allowing him to work behind Rubio for a year could smooth his transition to the league.

26/30

Measurables: 6-foot-11, 240 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

This is the second of Boston’s three first rounders. They’ll likely look to move up or move out of one or two of these spots, but if they stick around, expect them to look for draft and stash candidates, a polished NCAA player or some sort of specialist.

Why Nnaji?

Nnaji has a nice jumper that most folks believe will eventually translate to the NBA 3-point line. He also can rebound, has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and high-end athleticism. The Celtics have a ton of talent, but they need more depth at both the four and the five. They’ll likely try to package all three of these picks to move up, but if they are still on the board, Nnaji is a really nice fit.

27/30

Measurables: 6-foot-6, 205 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

The Jazz are one of the most complete teams in the NBA. They have depth at almost every position, although they could use a little more size up front and a few more wing players, since they play multiple unconventional small lineups. 

Why Green?

Green has a very wide range in this year’s draft. He’s raw offensively, but he has a solid NBA body with tremendous athleticism. Utah loves that type of player. The Jazz have a really good system for developing talent, which is exactly what Green needs. If he lands here, Green would have time to grow into a role while working with solid veterans.

28/30

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 250 pounds
Age: 22

Team Needs

In their second big swap of the week, the Thunder acquired Danny Green and the 28th pick in exchange for Dennis Schroder. Green is a short-term fix, which means finding an understudy for the veteran might make a lot of sense here. 

Why Bane?

Like Flynn, Bane is climbing. The senior guard can really shoot it from the outside and he improved every season at TCU. He has a big motor, a high basketball IQ and he plays defense. It’s hard to find rotational players at the back end of the first round, but this is an exciting prospect that might have worked his way in.

29/30

Measurables: 6-foot-9, 245 pounds
Age: 19

Team Needs

Toronto is one of those rare teams that just keeps plugging away and winning despite a massive free agent departure and injuries throughout the year. They are entering another summer of potential change with Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka and Fred VanVleet all hitting the open market.

Why Stewart?

Stewart has a big-time NBA ready body and should be able to help a team early in his career. He lives in the paint, outworks his opponents and plays a physical style. Toronto is aging on the front line and needs to find a long-term solution to play alongside Pascal Siakam. Stewart is tough and might make a nice compliment to the Raptors’ All-Star.

30/30

Measurables: 6-foot-2, 195 pounds
Age: 20

Team Needs

By the time Boston selects here, they might not have any more team needs. As it stands, they could use an upgrade at center and some overall depth. Coach Brad Stevens likes to mix and match his rotations, so versatility is usually a focus. 

Why Jones?

What if Boston uses all three of their first-round selections to sure up all the holes in their rotation? They need center and power forward depth, but they could also use another point guard. Jones is a game manager point guard that plays defense and rarely makes mistakes. There are plenty of prospects that could jump into this spot, but he’s a very safe pick and should make a solid pro.

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