2020 NBA Mock Draft 7.0: Post-Lottery edition

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1/30

Stats (NBL): 12 G, 31.3 mpg

2/30
17 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 6.8 apg, 1.6 spg
3/30
37.5% FG, 25% 3P, 72.3% FT

Ball is the highest-upside player in the class, a prospect whose game defies comparison. A backcourt of he and D'Angelo Russell in Minnesota would be an open faucet defensively, but it's worth it for the chance the 19-year-old's hits his ceiling outcome. His passing is transcendent, particularly on the fastbreak, his handling is advanced, and the ball-fakes at his disposal are downright artistic. He's the quintessential captain of an up-tempo, read-and-react, modern offense.

The defense could (will?) be really, really bad. But Ball's 6-foot-7 frame could buoy him if he competes, and that height will unlock a world of reads on the offensive end most lead guards don't dream of making. Perimeter shooting stands out as another red flag, but better shot-selection — and mechanics — can be coached. His unnatural feel for the game cannot.

4/30

Stats: 32 G, 33 mpg

5/30
19.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.8 apg
6/30
40.2% FG, 29.4% 3P, 77.2% FT

Edwards fell privy to a poor situation in his freshman season at Georgia, but don’t let shoddy shooting percentages, largely dragged down by head-scratching shot selection, fool you: He’s the best scoring prospect in the class, with the ability to pull from anywhere on the floor, fill it up at all three levels and get to the free throw line with regularity. And while prone to lapses on defense, he possesses the tools to be an impact player on both ends provided he applies himself. If Golden State keeps the pick — and that’s a big if — he’d walk into a perfect situation.

7/30

Stats: 3 G, 23 mpg

8/30
19.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 3.0 bpg
9/30
76.9% FG, N/A 3P, 70.4% FT

The Hornets joined the Bulls in a double-leap from slots 8 and 7, respectively, to round out the top four. With the third pick, talent and need align perfectly for Charlotte. At 7-foot-1 and with a reported 7-5 wingspan, Wiseman is one of the most pronounced physical specimens in the class — a shot-blocking, rim-rattling behemoth that entered the college season the No. 1 player in his recruiting class.

Yes, he played just three games with Memphis before losing his NCAA eligibility, and his gaudy numbers can be attributed to a cupcake early-season schedule. But his established interior presence, paired with some promise of an outside shooting game, could make him a force to be reckoned with in the league for years to come. He slots tidily into the center spot in Charlotte, adding to a nice young core of Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington.

10/30

After three straight years picking at No. 7, the Bulls strike gold in the four hole with a unicorn-like playmaking wing in Avdija. If his 3-point shot and handle continue to come around — and he matures out of some decision-making gaffes — it will only add to his versatile all-around game, which features a graceful gait in transition, pinpoint passing in the pick-and-roll and post, and developing instincts as a team defender. He impacts the game in multiple facets, and is ever-improving.

Except for the shooting, those skills were all on display in Maccabi's recent run to an Israeli League title; Avdija averaged 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks over the five playoff games, shooting 39.1% from the field (25% from 3; 77.8% from the charity stripe), and received MVP honors. He'll see worlds of benefit from NBA spacing.

11/30

Stats: 31 G, 31.6 mpg

12/30
20.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.2 bpg, 1.0 spg
13/30
63.3% FG, 39% 3P, 70.2% FT

The Cavaliers follow up two straight years of plucking scoring guards in the top-10 with a sublime pick-and-roll partner for the pair. Toppin turns 23 in March, a red flag for some earlier-stage rebuilding clubs, but he'll step in and make an immediate impact for Cleveland as a do-everything scorer, high-flying athlete and powerful finisher. Not the ideal environment to assuage red flags surrounding his defense, but Toppin would be a welcome injection to a moribund Cavs roster, regardless. 

14/30

Stats: 28 G, 30.6 mpg

15/30
16.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 1.2 spg
16/30
61.6% FG, 25% 3P (four total attempts), 72% FT

The Hawks made some… Confounding moves at the 2020 trade deadline to bring aboard Clint Capela (signed through 2023) and Dewayne Dedmon, highlighting an uneven roster built around Trae Young. But that shouldn't stop them from snaring what some consider to be the best center prospect in the class in Okongwu. 

Though a bit undersized, the 19-year-old is built like a brick wall, rolls hard and finishes harder on the offensive end, and can both switch everything and protect the cup on the defensive end. He’s the prototypical modern center, and a natural fit alongside John Collins. With Okongwu, the Hawks can begin building an identity on defense while maintaining their explosiveness on the offensive side of the floor. Feed him all the Trae lobs.

17/30

With a fresh front office in place, the Pistons are back to the drawing board phase of their rebuild. At 6-foot-5, Haliburton brings outstanding positional length, assuredness as a distributor and tremendous spot-up shooting that can elevate the rest of the pieces on the roster. Not a colossal swing, but, in Detroit's case, nabbing a promising lead guard for the future is a prudent one.

18/30

Stats: 28 G, 31.5 mpg

19/30
12.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.9 bpg
20/30
51.4% FG, 28.6% 3P, 67.2% FT

Do 2020 draft prospects come more Thibs-ian than Okoro? I'm inclined to say no. The 19-year-old from Auburn is a versatile, tough-minded defender and explosive athlete that makes his living scrapping for loose balls and slashing to the basket. Paltry 3-point and free-throw percentages from his freshman year blare as red flags, but he's sturdy as they come and an effective finisher, including through contact. Jimmy Butler comparisons abound.

21/30

Stats: 30 G, 28.8 mpg

22/30
12.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.0 bpg
23/30
49% FG, 41.5% 3P, 73.8% FT 

The Wizards fizzled in the bubble without Bradley Beal, but will enter next season with playoff aspirations upon his and John Wall’s returns, and expected improvements from Troy Brown Jr. and Rui Hachimura. Vassell would bring an enticing combination of length, stellar team defense and outside shooting on the wing, a position of extreme value in the modern NBA. 

24/30

Stats: 33 G, 24.8 mpg

25/30
 11.6 ppg, 5.4 apg, 2.8 rpg. 1.5 spg
26/30
48.2% FG, 29.4% 3P, 87.6% FT

What a whirlwind for Phoenix. From an 8-0 run in the bubble that ignited mass excitement about their future to a top-10 draft choice. Hayes has the potential to be the perfect backcourt running mate for Devin Booker — well-built at 6-foot-5, a pick-and-roll maestro and with a crafty offensive game. Plus, with Ricky Rubio under contract for two more seasons, the 19-year-old can be brought along gradually. Iron out that off-hand and he could be a star.

27/30

Stats: 14 G, 35.7 mpg

28/30
23 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.4 spg
29/30
51.2% FG, 52.2% 3P, 82.5% FT

Widely regarded as the best perimeter shooter in the class, Nesmith provides a perfect complement for San Antonio’s talented young backcourt pieces headlined by Dejounte Murray and Derrick White. At 6-foot-6 with a reported 6-foot-10 wingspan, he has all the makings of a standout 3-and-D wing — even if he doesn’t can over half of his 3s at the next level.

30/30

Stats: 31 G, 30.4 mpg

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