NBA Draft 2020: Updated Mock Draft After Latest Prospect Workouts

This year's NBA draft is a confusing one, without a consensus top pick like 2019's Zion Williamson and without much agreement on the order of the top players either. But on the bright side, a mystery is exciting.

Following guidelines set out on September 23, the NBA's 2020 predraft process won't allow teams to host prospects for in-person interviews and individual workouts. That means NBA scouts are forced to deliberate over potential draftees much like fans have for years—through videos and interviews shared online.

The new, phased virtual predraft combine goes through mid-November, with different players participating in league and team interviews as well as regimented on-court workouts and combine tests. With some of those interviews already conducted, we're looking at a mock draft of the first round and some of the more interesting results, within and outside of the lottery, following the first couple of weeks under the new system.

2020 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia

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

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

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

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

6. Atlanta Hawks: Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn

7. Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm

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

9. Washington Wizards: Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova

10. Phoenix Suns: Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton

11. San Antonio Spurs: Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis

12. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt

13. New Orleans Pelicans: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina

14. Boston Celtics: Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC

15. Orlando Magic: Jaden McDaniels, SF, Washington

16. Portland Trail Blazers: 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. Philadelphia 76ers: Desmond Bane, SG, TCU

22. Denver Nuggets: Josh Green, SG, Arizona

23. Utah Jazz: RJ Hampton, SG, New Zealand Breakers

24. Milwaukee Bucks: Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona

25. Oklahoma City Thunder: Xavier Tillman, PF, Michigan State

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: Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington

30. Boston Celtics: Leandro Bolmaro, SF, FC Barcelona

Deni Avdija's Confidence Elicits a Top-5 Selection

Deni Avdija is a polarizing prospect, as his tape shows flashes of a versatile, game-changing forward, but his statistics were not particularly tantalizing considering his competition in the Israeli League. 

Despite averages of 13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists not feeling otherworldly, the 19-year-old remains a stellar prospect, and his predraft interview should cement that upside. At 6'9", 215 pounds, Avdija is a big guy but one who can handle the rock, toss dimes and step into a fluid jumper. 

"I want to talk about my shot. I think a lot of guys who are not in the team, who are not in basketball don't understand some things about the shot ... I can shoot. I'm a great shooter. I don't think about the same shot; I always think about the next shot. If I couldn't shoot, I wouldn't shoot threes."

The captivating forward made a point to discredit those bothered by his sub-40-percent shooting rate from three this past season, reassuring his confidence in his own shot and his technique while candidly reckoning with why he struggled. If a team like the Chicago Bulls respects his insistence that improvement is coming after some struggles against much older opponents, then his versatility shouldn't get past them at No. 5 in the draft.

Philadelphia 76ers Eyeing Desmond Bane?

Desmond Bane isn't the most electrifying prospect, but he is very good at what he does. And what he does is precisely what the Philadelphia 76ers need. Bane isn't an explosive athlete and doesn't have a particularly intimidating frame, but the 6'6" wing can shoot the life out of a basketball and, as a cherry on top, boasts the savvy to play stifling defense and throw excellent passes.

In 2019-20, no 76er shot better than 43.0 percent from three and no regular starter shot above 36.7 percent from that range. Bane, meanwhile, hit on 43.3 percent of his threes across all four years in college, including 44.2 percent of his 6.5 attempts per game last season. 

Having spoken with 26 teams, the TCU product highlighted Philadelphia as an obvious match: "There's been a lot of interest with Philly. We feel good about where we're at with Philly. ... Shooting is a necessity for them; they need a lot of shooting." 

With an excellent motor, an impressive sense for the game and, most importantly, a sharp shooting touch, Bane fits the bill precisely for what Philadelphia could prioritize at No. 21.