2020 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions and Prospects Who Can Help Contenders

The Miami Heat don't make the 2020 NBA Finals without drafting Tyler Herro 13th overall last summer. The Denver Nuggets aren't Western Conference finalists without the bubble breakout of Michael Porter Jr.

For all of the attention given to rebuilders' pursuit of youth, the draft can also bring win-now clubs and instant-impact prospects together.

After laying out our latest mock first round, we'll examine three NBA-ready members of the 2020 draft class who could help out a contender already next season.

2020 NBA Mock Draft

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia

2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, C, Memphis

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

4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin, PF/C, Dayton

6. Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State

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: Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt

12. Sacramento Kings: Patrick Williams, PF, Florida State

13. New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Smith, PF/C, Maryland

14. Boston Celtics (via Memphis Grizzlies): Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, Villanova

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

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

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Brooklyn Nets): Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina

18. Dallas Mavericks: RJ Hampton, SG, New Zealand Breakers

19. Brooklyn Nets (via Philadelphia 76ers): Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky

20. Miami Heat: Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Memphis

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

22. Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets): Grant Riller, PG/SG, Charleston

23. Utah Jazz: Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Olympiacos B

24. Milwaukee Bucks (via Indiana Pacers): Leandro Bolmaro, SG/SF, Barcelona

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Denver Nuggets): Zeke Nnaji, C, Arizona

26. Boston Celtics: Jaden McDaniels, SF/PF, Washington

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: Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL

30. Boston Celtics (via Milwaukee Bucks): Xavier Tillman, PF/C, Michigan State

Prospects Who Can Help Contenders

Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, Villanova

Bey can't match the ceilings of some players in this draft, but even his floor could have him in the rotation of a good team already as a rookie.

His skills look reliable and fit into what most teams are after. He shot 45.1 percent on a high volume of threes. He defended multiple positions. He even nearly doubled his scoring average as a sophomore (from 8.2 to 16.1), which shows there's still some growth potential even with all the polish he offers.

As SI.com's Jeremy Woo detailed, Bey should be an easy sell to any team with win-now intentions in the near future:

"Bey profiles as a rock-solid role player, offering defensive versatility and perimeter shooting in a low-maintenance offensive package that should fit into most lineups. ... He doesn’t offer a ton of upside, but should be useful in most circumstances, and fits what a lot of teams are looking for at forward with his two-way impact."

The next modern NBA team that doesn't need more three-and-D wings will be the first.

Grant Riller, PG/SG, Charleston

One glance at the stat sheet seems to paint Riller as a future star. He averaged 21.9 points per game each of the last two seasons and shot a scorching 51.9 percent across four seasons at Charleston.

Stardom probably isn't in his future, though. If nothing else, the stats are worth second-guessing and scrutinizing given the level of competition. With all due respect to the Colonial Athletic Association, it's not exactly brimming with NBA talent.

Lower the expectations, though, and suddenly Riller looks like an undervalued prospect. He's a great finisher, an effortless separator and a dangerous shooter on the move. His skills are legitimate, and he's no slouch with athleticism or toughness, either.

He packs a powerful enough offensive punch to handle spark-plug duties next season. Even if he needs a little time to adjust to the difficulty level, he has the raw tools and the talent to be playoff-ready when the second season rolls around.

Xavier Tillman, PF/C, Michigan State

While no skills are guaranteed to carry over from college, basketball IQ and energy are two of the most reliable.

That just so happens to be where Tillman earns his highest marks, as Woo explained:

"There may not a better big in the draft than Tillman when it comes down to the minutiae, and his hard-nosed, smart approach to interior play is tailor-made for an NBA role. He rebounds, sets great screens, can make plays for others in a pinch, knows exactly where to be on defense, and has flashed potential to shoot from outside. ... He would be a sensible addition to a playoff-caliber roster in the late first or early second round, and should be able to contribute early in the right situation."

Is Tillman a star-in-training? Not at all. His stats didn't even knock your socks off in college (13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists).

But can he fill a role for his NBA employer in 2020-21? Absolutely. Contenders who have their primary scoring duties handled will appreciate Tillman's hustle, heart and glue-guy game, and his three seasons with the Spartans taught him what's required to contribute to a winner.