NBA Draft 2020: Mock Draft Projections for Safest Lottery Prospects

There are plenty of buzz words in the NBA draft lexicon, and "safety" isn't one of them.

But maybe it should be, at least in a talent grab like this.

If the court of public opinion is correct, there isn't a can't-miss prospect in this class. That raises the doomsday-scenario of seeing an early pick bust. Misfiring on a top pick can set a franchise back for years.

So, maybe clubs should be less focused on towering ceilings and more interested in reliable, respectable floors. If that's the case, it will prop up the three safe prospects who follow our mock first round.

2020 NBA Mock Draft

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: LaMelo Ball, PG/SG, Illawarra Hawks

2. Golden State Warriors: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia

3. Charlotte Hornets: James Wiseman, C, Memphis

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

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv

6. Atlanta Hawks: Devin Vassell, SF, Florida State

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

8. New York Knicks: Killian Hayes, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm

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

10. Phoenix Suns: Obi Toppin, PF/C, Dayton

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

Safest Lottery Prospects

Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State

Stardom seems like it will prove elusive for Haliburton, who lacks the dizzying dribble moves and blow-by burst to consistently break down his defender.

But the blueprint of a decade-long NBA star is hard to ignore. He has one potentially special skill—he's arguably the best passing prospect not named LaMelo Ball—and a host of above-average abilities, as detailed by SI.com's Jeremy Woo:

"His advanced on-court intellect, winning-conducive skill set and rapid trajectory are noteworthy, and they set him apart in some regard in a lottery where the talent gap between prospects is admittedly narrow. ... His real value lies in what his presence does for everyone else on his team, as a ball-moving facilitator who hits open threes and can augment any lineup."

Haliburton consistently seeks out the hit-ahead pass, so he can grease the gears of any transition attack. While his shooting mechanics are funky, his career 42.6 percent success rate from three suggests he'll be a floor-spacing asset in the half court. He may never be a lockdown individual stopper, but his communication, versatility and peskiness in passing lanes should make him a plus team defender.

Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Despite being just 19 years old, Avdija already thinks the game at an advanced level, which allows him to thrive as a 6'9" playmaker.

Even if his peak stops short of being a true point-forward, his work as a secondary distributor will help keep an offense flowing. His vision is top-notch, and his handles are impressive for his size. Speaking of which, he's big enough to consistently provide a presence on the glass, and he can zip down court to lead secondary breaks.

The biggest concerns are less-than-elite athleticism and quickness, which could leave him exposed in the toughest defensive assignments. His shooting profile also forces one to believe his mechanics can correct what have been inconsistent splash rates on his jumper.

He won't be anyone's focal point, but he could function as some team's adhesive that brings all the different parts together. If he's starting for the next 10-years plus, like his skills suggest he could, he'll provide substantial return on the draft-night investment.

Devin Vassell, SF, Florida State

Specialists offer some inherent level of safety since their go-to skill is polished to the point it has a good chance of carrying over to the Association.

That's doubly true with Vassell since he might offer two specialties. For starters, he's on a short list of the best perimeter stoppers in this draft. He could up his defensive versatility by increasing his strength, but even without it, he has the length and agility to handle most guards and wings.

At the opposite end, his perimeter touch helped him clear 41 percent from three in each of his two seasons with the Seminoles. Standing 6'7" with a high release point, he should be able to get his shot off over most defenders, and he shows good instincts for relocating to open spots without the basketball.

If that blend of skills sounds familiar, it's because every team in the modern NBA seeks it out.

"He's your typical 3-and-D guy," The Athletic's Sam Vecenie wrote. "He'll be an NBA player for a long while and should be a starter at some point."

As much as fans like to obsess about potential stars, most executives would be glad to turn a top-10 selection into a long-term contributor. Vassell will help one front office do just that.