Account
NBA Mock Draft 2020: Latest Projections for 1st-Round Action
May 19, 2020
The NBA draft is always a watershed moment, and this year's draft promises to be full of intrigue.
The positioning of prospects projected for the lottery changes almost daily, but there's a general consensus on the players thought of as future All-Stars.
Here's the latest mock draft and the projections for the first round.
2019 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft
1. Golden State: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
2. Cleveland: LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
3. Minnesota: Killian Hayes, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm
4. Atlanta: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
5. Detroit: Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
6. New York: Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv
7. Chicago: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
8. Charlotte: Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC
9. Washington: Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
10. Phoenix: Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
11. San Antonio: RJ Hampton, SG, New Zealand Breakers
12. Sacramento: Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky
13. New Orleans: Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona
14. Portland: Devin Vassell, SF, Florida State
15. Orlando: Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova
16. Minnesota (via Brooklyn): Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Memphis
17. Boston (via Memphis): Patrick Williams, PF, Florida State
18. Dallas: Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington
19. Milwaukee (via Indiana): Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL
20. Brooklyn (via Philadelphia): Jaden McDaniels, SF/PF, Washington
21. Denver (via Houston): Josh Green, SG, Arizona
22. Philadelphia (via Oklahoma City): Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland
23. Miami: Vernon Carey Jr., PF/C, Duke
24. Utah: Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
25. Oklahoma City (via Denver): Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Olympiacos
26. Boston: Leandro Bolmaro, SF, FC Barcelona
27. New York (via L.A. Clippers): Tre Jones, PG, Duke
28. Toronto: Xavier Tillman, PF, Michigan State
29. L.A. Lakers: Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
30. Boston (via Milwaukee): Jahmi'us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech
Athleticism Matters in the Top 5
It was already written that Georgia's Anthony Edwards was going in the Top 5.
In fact, he's increasingly landing at No. 1 on most mock drafts, including that of Bleacher Report's Jon Wasserman.
With his NBA-ready body, strength and elite athleticism, Edwards will make an immediate impact at the pro level. And depending on what team he goes to, he'll make a real push as Rookie of the Year.
But for Dayton's Obi Toppin, who took the NCAA by storm last season, coming off the board no later than fifth was not always in the cards.
It is now.
The high-flying Toppin showed that he was meant for prime time after leading the Flyers to a 29-2 record while averaging 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He was an all-around player who could create his own shot and play excellent defense.
Toppin's dunks, though, were what made everyone pay attention. At 6'9", 220 pounds, the 2020 John R. Wooden Award winner was poetry in motion above the rim.
Look for Toppin to also challenge for the ROY if he gets enough time to shine.
No College, No Problem
The NCAA has long been the farm system for the NBA. Players go to the best programs in the country and garner the kind of attention needed to get the call to go to the next level.
But now, that tried-and-true method is in jeopardy thanks to LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton, the talented teens who decided against playing college ball and elected to play in Australia.
In the past, making such a move was looked at in a borderline negative way. Ball and Hampton proved their ability, though, and now both are poised to be lottery picks.
Hampton played well enough for the New Zealand Breakers, averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He didn't have the kind of season that he would have liked, but he showed enough promise to land in the Top 14.
Ball, on the other hand, put on enough of a show to challenge to be the No. 1 pick. He averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists per outing, but his greatest strength was his ability to run a team.
He has excellent court vision, can control the tempo of a game and hasn't seen a pass that he can't make.
The rub for him will be his defensive skills and his unorthodox shot, but Ball's older brother Lonzo has seen success with his own questionable shooting form, so that shouldn't be too much of a concern.
Look for him to make some noise at the next level if the team that chooses him gives him the reins.
Follow Maurice Bobb on Twitter, @ReeseReport
Statistics obtained from ESPN.com