2020 NBA Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions, Prospects Who Are Safest Bets
August 19, 2020
On August 20, the order of selections for the 2020 NBA Draft will take shape during the lottery, but the actual picks should remain unclear.
There is no Zion Williamson, no obvious consensus top pick, in 2020. Anthony Edwards may be close, but no one would bat an eye if a team went for the upside of James Wiseman or LaMelo Ball instead.
As teams toe the line between ceiling and floor, two top-10 picks stand out as remarkably safe selections: Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton. Below, you'll find a mock of the first round, based on standings and dependent on player fit, followed by analysis of the two aforementioned safe bets.
2020 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft
1. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
3. Minnesota Timberwolves: LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
4. Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
5. Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm
6. New York Knicks: Deni Avdija, SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv
7. Chicago Bulls: Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
8. Charlotte Hornets: Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
9. Washington Wizards: Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
10. Phoenix Suns: Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova
11. San Antonio Spurs: Devin Vassell, SF, Florida State
12. New Orleans Pelicans: Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
13. Sacramento Kings: Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis
14. Boston Celtics: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
15. Orlando Magic: Jaden McDaniels, SF, Washington
16. Portland Trailblazers: Patrick Williams, SF, Florida State
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland
18. Dallas Mavericks: Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL
19. Brooklyn Nets: Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky
20. Miami Heat: Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
21. Denver Nuggets: Josh Green, SG, Arizona
22. Philadelphia 76ers: Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona
23. Utah Jazz: RJ Hampton, SG, New Zealand Breakers
24. Milwaukee Bucks: Xavier Tillman, PF, Michigan State
25. Oklahoma City: Desmond Bane, SG, TCU
26. Boston Celtics: Jahmi'us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech
27. New York Knicks: Cassius Stanley, SG, Duke
28. Los Angeles Lakers: Tre Jones, PG, Duke
29. Toronto Raptors: Leandro Bolmaro, SF, FC Barcelona
30. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington
Prospects Who Are Safest Bets
Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
Bookended by some minor injuries and the decision to withdraw from college basketball, Wiseman only played three games for Memphis in 2019—engendering legitimate uncertainty. Meanwhile, shooting 37.5 percent from the field, 25.0 percent from three and 72.3 percent from the free-throw line, Ball's jumper is concerning—a phrase that evokes 2017 deja vu from his brother Lonzo.
Edwards played 32 games for Georgia this season, a sample size greater than Wiseman's by 29 and Ball's by 20. And he averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on 40.2 percent shooting from the field, 29.4 percent from three and 77.2 percent from the line. The efficiency isn't inspiring, but it feels surer than Ball's and partially excused by his 50.4 percent clip from within the arc and the uncomfortable amount of triples he hoisted per game: 7.7.
Most importantly, he passes the eye test with flying colors. The NBA lists Edwards at 6'3", 225 pounds and with a 6'10" wingspan, but other measurements have him at 6'5". On the court, that size is inflated by explosiveness and confidence.
On offense, he can handle, change speed and bully to the rack. His efficiency could be worrying, but he had games when pull-up threes, including his slick step-back, flashed in big games from the deep—including a match against Michigan State in which he knocked seven of 16 from beyond the arc. On defense, he has lapses but boasts obvious tools to be a plus-defender, at least, in the league.
Golden State may prefer Wiseman's fit, New York may prefer Ball's upside, but, despite some efficiency and size concerns, Edwards has a clear shot at going No. 1 given a high ceiling and consistent proof of 2020's highest floor.
Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
Haliburton's shot looks wonky, and his frame seems unfilled, but in a draft full of intriguing point guards, no one seems safer at the position. At 6'5" and just 175 pounds, Haliburton shoots from the top of his chest with a little bunny hop. It's not very pretty and doesn't seem hard to defend, but the Iowa State guard averaged 4.2 attempts from deep over 57 college games and knocked in 42.6 percent of them.
Couple that with an 82.2 percent rate from the free-throw line this season and you have a surprisingly capable shooter. He may need more space at the professional level, but he is this class' steadiest creator of it. In college, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. Toss in 2.5 steals per game and a 50.4 percent rate from the field for statistical proof of his comfort navigating on hardwood.
Haliburton projects as a more consistent shooter than Ball, while his handle and passing aren't miles behind—as he can legitimately make every pass. Whether it's a full-court toss off the rebound, an off-the-dribble lob inside of the paint or a mid-drive sling to an open shooter on the other side of the court, Haliburton's frequent flashiness is a product of his capacity to get the ball where he wants, whenever he wants.
Ball is one of the most polarizing prospects in recent history and will go higher than Haliburton because his potential, granted by length and feel, is frightening. Later, Killian Hayes and Cole Anthony both have undeniable scoring upside. But Haliburton outpaces all in safety, having shown more consistency against the most visible competition.