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2020 NBA Draft: 1st-Round Order and Top 2-Way Prospects
May 31, 2020
The skills James Wiseman flashed during his three-game stint at Memphis will intrigue plenty of NBA personnel. His ability at the rim makes him one of the few top prospects in the 2020 NBA draft.
The 19-year-old is one of a handful of potential lottery selections with a two-way ability that stands out above others.
Auburn's Isaac Okoro and Florida State's Devin Vassell improved their respective stocks during the men's college basketball season, and their defensive abilities could make them intriguing selections for NBA teams.
2020 NBA Draft 1st-Round Order
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
4. Atlanta Hawks
5. Detroit Pistons
6. New York Knicks
7. Chicago Bulls
8. Charlotte Hornets
9. Washington Wizards
10. Phoenix Suns
11. San Antonio Spurs
12. Sacramento Kings
13. New Orleans Pelicans
14. Portland Trail Blazers
15. Orlando Magic
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Brooklyn)
17. Boston Celtics (from Memphis)
18. Dallas Mavericks
19. Milwaukee Bucks (from Indiana)
20. Brooklyn Nets (from Philadelphia)
21. Denver Nuggets (from Houston)
22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Oklahoma City)
23. Miami Heat
24. Utah Jazz
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Denver)
26. Boston Celtics
27. New York Knicks (from Los Angeles Clippers)
28. Toronto Raptors
29. Los Angeles Lakers
30. Boston Celtics (from Milwaukee)
*Order based on current regular-season standings.
Top 2-Way Prospects
James Wiseman, C, Memphis
Wiseman controlled the interior in his three appearances for Memphis. He produced a pair of double-doubles and rejected nine shots against South Carolina State, UIC and Oregon.
Even though two of those three games were easy victories, the center stood out because he commanded the paint against weaker opposition.
The majority of NBA draft experts have Wiseman landing with either the Golden State Warriors or Cleveland Cavaliers.
Even if the teams at the top of the order change in the lottery, he is still expected to be one of the first two players off the board alongside Anthony Edwards.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman detailed why NBA personnel are so enamored with Wiseman's skill set.
"The believers are drawn to his spectacular physical profile (7'1", 240 pounds, 7'6" wingspan) and willing to buy the flashes of skill," he wrote. "He's still more raw than polished, but he has delivered exciting glimpses of open-floor ball-handling, post moves and shooting touch."
If the Warriors win the lottery, Wiseman could be their top big man for a long period. And if he improves on the ball to get up and down the floor, he may turn into one of their top offensive weapons.
Defensively, he would give Golden State a rim protector who stands taller than Draymond Green and one who may be able to deal better with Anthony Davis and the elite big men in the Western Conference because of his size.
If he lands in Cleveland, Wiseman could develop under Andre Drummond for a season if he selects his player option for the 2020-21 campaign.
In that situation, he could hone his skills on both sides of the ball before turning into the Cavaliers' top big man in the long term.
Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
Okoro was one of the most valuable players in the SEC. His play on both ends of the hardwood helped Auburn eke out a handful of close victories.
When the 19-year-old was out for two games in February, Bruce Pearl's team struggled in double-digit losses to Missouri and Georgia.
Okoro finished his freshman season with 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, two assists, and 0.9 blocks and steals per game. He also shot 51.4 percent from the field but needs to improve on his 29 percent from three-point range.
The one-and-done prospect would be a perfect fit with the Atlanta Hawks, who need help on the wing to support Trae Young and John Collins.
CBS Sports' Kyle Boone noted how Okoro's skill set would complement Young.
"The 6'6" Auburn one-and-done is a Swiss Army knife-defender with a laser-sharp basketball brain who can impact winning without needing the ball," he wrote. "Consider that an ideal trait alongside the talented and ball-dominant Trae Young."
If the Hawks end up in the top five, they should be able to land Okoro, but it may be more difficult if they drop a few places.
Detroit and New York need depth at a few positions, while Chicago may turn away from the long list of point guards to provide wing support behind Otto Porter Jr. and Zach LaVine.
Devin Vassell, SG/SF, Florida State
Vassell and the San Antonio Spurs may be the best fit for each other of any player-team combination in the first round.
The adjustment process from Florida State to the Spurs system may be easy since both teams are run by head coaches who get the best out of every player.
Vassell improved his draft stock by averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game for the ACC regular-season champion.
If he lands with San Antonio, Gregg Popovich could perfect the 19-year-old's three-and-D profile and turn him into a regular contributor.
The Athletic's Sam Vecenie noted how Vassell would operate in the San Antonio system:
"With Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker in tow long-term as creators, Vassell could take up the 3-and-D role early on while developing the rest of his game out. Plus, he can take on tougher wing defense assignments. This is a 3-and-D wing starter kit, and it’s easy to see San Antonio seeing him in a similar vein early on as they did Danny Green."
As long as the Spurs don't make a massive leap in the draft lottery, he should be available at No. 11.
Taking him in that spot would not be viewed as a reach, and it would bolster San Antonio's depth at the position while handing Vassell a great spot to further his game.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90
Statistics obtained from ESPN.com