NBA Mock Draft 2020: Latest Predictions, Trade Rumors Surrounding No. 1 Pick
Now that the NBA regular season and the playoffs are over and the Los Angeles Lakers have been crowned this year's champion, the focus now shifts to the 2020 draft, which will take place on Nov. 18.
As is the case every year, some teams are more excited than others.
Take the Minnesota Timberwolves, for example. They have the No. 1 overall pick, while the Golden State Warriors, a team that should be right back in the mix for a title next season, have the No. 2 pick.
The only rub is that there's no consensus on who should come off the board first, making this an interesting draft from a team movement standpoint.
Here's the latest mock draft and a few rumors and predictions surrounding the No. 1 selection.
NBA Mock Draft, 1st Round
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball, PG/SG, Illawarra Hawks
4. Chicago Bulls: Obi Toppin, PF/C, Dayton
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
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: Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, Villanova
14. Boston Celtics (via Memphis Grizzlies): Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
15. Orlando Magic: Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
16. Portland Trail Blazers: RJ Hampton, SG, New Zealand Breakers
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Brooklyn Nets): Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky
18. Dallas Mavericks: Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Olympiacos B
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: Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL
24. Milwaukee Bucks (via Indiana Pacers): Leandro Bolmaro, SG/SF, Barcelona
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Denver Nuggets): Daniel Oturu, C, Minnesota
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: Jalen Smith, PF/C, Maryland
30. Boston Celtics (via Milwaukee Bucks): Zeke Nnaji, C, Arizona
Trade Rumors
Will Minnesota Trade Their No. 1 Pick?
Normally, there's an immeasurable level of excitement when a team wins the draft lottery. But that may not be the case this year for Minnesota.
While the organization could definitely use an upgrade on talent, there is no clear-cut superstar available in this draft, at least not on the front end like last season with Zion Williamson.
Everyone knew he was a generational talent.
This year's different, though. There are a few standouts, like LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman, but no one to bet the farm on.
Which is why, according to The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, league executives believe the Timberwolves would rather trade down or out of their pick altogether to get some immediate help for their current duo of DeAngelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Problem is, there's no player on the board worth trading significant assets for in exchange to move up to No. 1.
Minny's best bet is to start talking to the New York Knicks.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, they are said to "absolutely love" Ball and Wiseman and aren't exactly smitten with any other prospect in a "consensus weak draft," which means they might consider moving up to get one of them.
Knicks Might Move Down
The Knicks are sending out mixed signals right now.
In one breath, they are saying how much they are enamored with Wiseman and Ball; in the other, they are floating the idea of playing the long game and trading down from the No. 8 pick.
Berman reported that they had eyes for the pair, but in the same report, he noted that two league sources confirm that New York is seriously mulling trading down because they are almost certain that neither Wiseman nor Ball will fall to them in the eighth spot.
But just how far are they willing to fall?
According to Berman, there are internal talks about targeting between the No. 12 and No. 15 pick, with the goal to land a player like Tyrese Maxey out of Kentucky.
The combo guard only played one year for the Wildcats, but he showed promise as a shot-maker and perimeter defender.
He averaged 14 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game for UK and is projected to be in the mold of Kyle Lowry.
Another reason Maxey is high on the Knicks' list is the fact that he played for the team's new assistant coach Kenny Payne, who was previously a long-time assistant under John Calipari.
"I think he'd be a good fit for any team," Payne told The Post's Berman in August. "In the next couple of years, he's going to be one of those guys you look back on and people say: 'Wow, I knew he was good, I didn't know he was that good.' When you're drafting a kid this young, you're looking at if he can help now, but you're also projecting where he'll be a year or two years from now."
In a year of untold uncertainty with prospects, that's the kind of inside information New York can't buy. Only time will tell which way they actually go: up or down.
Follow Maurice Bobb on Twitter, @ReeseReport
Statistics obtained from ESPN.com
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