2020 NBA Mock Draft: Breakdown of Top PG Prospects and 1st-Round Predictions

The point guard position constantly seems to be evolving in the NBA.

Point men have traditionally been primary ball-handlers and assist men, but the conventional notion of the roles a point guard should fill has changed.

The modern game prioritizes guards who can shoot and score efficiently. Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry changed the position with his staggering three-point numbers, and fellow scoring guards like Damian Lillard and Jamal Murray are also good representations of how the position is defined.

It remains to be seen whether any of the point guards in the upcoming draft class will reach All-Star status. But there are some intriguing options at the position.

LaMelo Ball and R.J. Hampton elected to forgo college and play overseas, and French prospect Killian Hayes is also making waves. Meanwhile, the likes of Tyrese Haliburton, Kira Lewis Jr., Tre Jones and Cassius Winston all had productive stints at the collegiate level.

General managers looking to bolster the backcourt will have their share of options, whether they need a guard capable of scoring or distributing.

Below is a mock for the first round of the 2020 NBA draft, in addition to breakdowns of the top point guards in the draft.

2020 NBA Mock Draft

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia

2. Golden State Warriors: Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv

3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball, PG/SG, Illawarra Hawks

4. Chicago Bulls: Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: James Wiseman, C, Memphis

6. Atlanta Hawks: Obi Toppin, SF/PF, Dayton

7. Detroit Pistons: Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC

8. New York Knicks: Devin Vassell, SF, Florida State

9. Washington Wizards: Isaac Okoro, SF/PF, Auburn

10. Phoenix Suns: Killian Hayes, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm

11. San Antonio Spurs: Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, Villanova

12. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt

13. New Orleans Pelicans: Patrick Williams, PF, Florida State

14. Boston Celtics (via Memphis Grizzlies): Jalen Smith, PF/C, Maryland

15. Orlando Magic: Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama

16. Portland Trail Blazers: Josh Green, SG, Arizona

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Brooklyn Nets): Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Memphis

18. Dallas Mavericks: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina

19. Brooklyn Nets (via Philadelphia 76ers): RJ Hampton, SG, New Zealand Breakers

20. Miami Heat: Jaden McDaniels, SF/PF, Washington

21. Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City Thunder): Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford

22. Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets): Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Olympiacos II

23. Utah Jazz: Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL

24. Milwaukee Bucks (via Indiana Pacers): Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Denver Nuggets): Daniel Oturu, C, Minnesota

26. Boston Celtics: Zeke Nnaji, C, Arizona

27. New York Knicks (via Los Angeles Clippers): Jahmi'us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech

28. Los Angeles Lakers: Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State

29. Toronto Raptors: Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona

30. Boston Celtics (via Milwaukee Bucks): Tre Jones, PG, Duke

Top PG Prospects   

LaMelo Ball   

Rick Rycroft/Associated Press

Ball's stock has risen considerably through the years, in part because of a massive growth spurt resulting in a 6'7" frame.

The youngest of the Ball brothers spent the past season with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League in Oceania. Ball averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists and consistently displayed his excellent court vision and proficiency in transition.

Size and playmaking figure to be Ball's best attributes, though perimeter shooting could be a problem. The 19-year-old shot just 25 percent from deep on 6.7 attempts per game, and his jumper was previously described as "broken."

Still, Ball's size and passing ability are likely to result in a number of suitors, with the New York Knicks chief among them. Marc Berman of the New York Post reported in May that the Knicks were high on Ball, and Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman has the Knicks trading up to No. 2 to select Ball in his latest mock draft.

Ball's shooting limitations are noteworthy; notably, his eldest brother, Lonzo, still deals with inconsistent perimeter shooting. The on-ball defense is also a question mark, and it is likely LaMelo will need to get stronger.

However, Ball is still the top point guard prospect in the 2020 draft.

Tyrese Haliburton  

Matthew Putney/Associated Press

Much like Ball, Haliburton offers size and a diverse skill set.

The former Iowa State star stands 6'5" and averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 assists and 5.9 rebounds in his sophomore campaign.

Unlike Ball, however, Haliburton can shoot it with efficiency. The Oshkosh, Wisconsin, native shot 42.6 percent from deep during his Cyclones career, including 41.9 percent on 5.6 attempts per game last season.

Moreover, Haliburton offers upside as a long defender with quick hands. He averaged 2.5 steals per game last season and could be a menace in the passing lanes.

The question is likely whether teams see Haliburton as an on-ball or off-ball guard. His shooting numbers would seem to suggest he can fill a combo-guard role, while the assists and playmaking would seem to indicate a guy who stays on the ball and orchestrates pick-and-roll with frequency.

In any case, Haliburton might be the most pro-ready guard in the draft, and he will compete on both ends of the floor.

Killian Hayes   

Hayes is yet another guard with size (6'4", 216 pounds) and, at 19, boasts arguably the highest upside given his age and advanced frame.

The Frenchman averaged 12.8 points and 6.2 assists in 10 EuroCup games, showing more of a willingness to fire away from deep while also growing more comfortable pulling up for mid-range jumpers.

Although he is not the most explosive athlete, Hayes is an excellent playmaker in pick-and-roll, and he uses an assortment of dribble pull-ups to create space for a jumper or to find the open man. He also has a certain change-of-pace style that seems to hide his lack of explosiveness, and he has good instincts in the passing lanes.

If Hayes can become a reliable finisher at the rim while continuing to hone his outside jumper, he could be the steal of the draft.

All stats obtained via Basketball Reference or Sports Reference unless otherwise noted.