2020 NBA Mock Draft: First Edition

Here is the first edition of my 2020 NBA Mock Draft.

1. Golden State Warriors- LaMelo Ball, Point Guard, USA: It's more likely than not that the Warriors will trade this pick to try to become a title contender yet again. If they kept this selection, Ball would be an odd fit here with Klay Thompson back from his torn ACL and Stephen Curry already at the point. On another team, Ball has All-Star potential with his playmaking ability, but doesn't shoot well.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers- Obi Toppin, Power Forward, Dayton: No player improved his draft stock during the shortened season more than Tobbin. The fit here with the Cavs is not great because they have three overpaid big men in Kevin Love, Tristian Thompson, and Andre Drummond, but maybe they'll trade one of them. Tobbin is super athletic and someone that could be an elite stretch five due to his ability to shoot.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves- Anthony Edwards, Shooting Guard, Georgia: This would be a great selection for the Timberwolves, who would get themselves a third scorer along with Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell. Edwards is someone that had shown a ton of potential in college, although inefficient.

4. Atlanta Hawks- James Weismann, Center, USA: The Hawks land one of the more fascinating players in the draft. Weismann was someone that withdrew from college after a money scandal with his former coach Penny Hardaway. He is someone that can protect the rim and is the perfect small ball big and would fit nicely alongside John Collins.

5. Detroit Pistons- Onyeka Okongwu, Power Forward/Center, USC: Okongwu is someone that flew under the radar due to being on the west coast and not coming from a school known to be a college basketball powerhouse. He is dominant in the paint with his shot blocking and ability to get buckets. The league is growing in terms of undersized bigs and that should not stop a team from taking a chance with Okongwu.

6. New York Knicks- Deni Avdija, Small Forward, Israel: The Knicks land a decent constellation prize here with a fast rising international star in Avdija. He's tall enough to play power forward, but skilled enough to play the wing. Avdija's shooting has also improved dramatically throughout the season and he and RJ Barrett would complement well.

7. Chicago Bulls- Isaac Okoro, Small Forward, Auburn: Okoro is someone else who's stock rose after the shortened college hoops season. He showed that he could be a solid three-and-D guy and that's what NBA teams love. The Bulls are a team that is in desperation for three-and-D players and Okoro would be a great pick here.

8. Charlotte Hornets- Patrick Williams, Small Forward, Florida State: The Hornets land themselves a fine player here with Williams. He is someone that is versatile and could defend multiple positions, but his offensive game is a work in progress. He and Miles Bridges together would be a fun combination to watch.

9. Washington Wizards- Killian Hayes, Point Guard, France: The Wizards are a sneaky candidate to trade their pick, but I doubt they will pull the trigger. Hayes is someone that is explosive but cannot shoot. He can come in and learn from John Wall and could potentially take over after Wall's hideous contract expires, unless they flat out cut him.

10. Phoenix Suns- Saddiq Bey, Small Forward, Villanova: Bey is someone that many tams like and could be a steal here at ten or if he falls further than this. Bey is versatile both offensively and defensively and that just fits the perfect player for today's NBA. He, Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton, and Kelly Oubre is a very nice foursome to have.

11. San Antonio Spurs- Cole Anthony, Point Guard, North Carolina: I am much higher on Anthony then most people, mainly due to the fact he was playing at a high level in college before his knee injury that forced him to have surgery. He could have possibly gone first overall had not been for that knee injury and he'll be a steal for whomever drafts him, especially past the top five.

12. Sacramento Kings- Precious Achiuwa, Power Forward, Memphis: This would be a solid need pick for the Kings as they need another big alongside Marvin Bagley as he's someone that averaged a double-double in college after James Weismann left school. He's not a great shooter, but is effective around the rim and in transition.

13. New Orleans Pelicans- RJ Hampton, Shooting Guard, New Zealand: This could be a steal for the Pelicans as Hampton was more highly regarded before the basketball season started. Hampton is someone that is versatile and is a solid shooter and would be yet another building block to go with Zion Williamson.

14. Portland Trail Blazers- Aaron Nesmith, Small Forward, Vanderbilt: This would be a solid pick for the Blazers, who still need help on the wing. Although a small sample size before a foot injury, he shot incredibly well in the midst of what looked to be a breakout season, especially from three point land.

15. Orlando Magic- Tyrese Maxey, Shooting Guard, Kentucky: The Magic's biggest weakness is a scoring guard, and this selection would help address the issue. Maxey is someone that did not live up to expectations as a freshman for John Calipari's team, although he showed flashes with his creativity in the paint and is a better shooter than perceived.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Brooklyn Nets)- Devin Vassell, Small Forward, Florida State: Vassell at this point for the Timberwolves would be a steal as many people think he could go in the lottery. Vassell is your classic three-and-D player who shoots above average from beyond the arc. He and Anthony Edwards would be a great draft for the Wolves.

17. Boston Celtics (from Memphis Grizzlies)- Theo Maledon, Point Guard, France: The Celtics have this pick courtesy of the Jeff Green trade from five years ago. Maledon showed some potential for a young age, but was mostly underwhelming due to injury issues. This could very well be a draft-and-stash prospect for the Celtics.

18. Dallas Mavericks- Isaiah Stewart, Center, Washington: This is a classic need pick as Dallas lacks a big to put alongside Kristaps Porzingis. Stewart is someone that some people have doubts about due  to spacing issues but did bring solid production to the table for a lousy Washington Huskies team last season.

19. Milwaukee Bucks (from Indiana Pacers)- Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard, Iowa State: This would be a major steal for the Bucks, who could conceivably replace Malcolm Brogdon with the pick they acquired from the Pacers in the sign and trade last summer. Haliburton's season was cut short last year due to injury and he showed an ability to consistently hit shots and he is a solid rebounder and passer too.

20. Brooklyn Nets (from Philadelphia 76ers)- Kira Lewis Jr, Point Guard, Alabama: Lewis is someone that came in to college with expectations, but returned to school last year and performed better then he did as a Freshman. He's a solid perimeter shooter and could be a steal at this point in the draft.

21. Philadelphia 76ers (from Oklahoma City Thunder)- Jalen Smith, Center, Maryland: Now the draft gets a little unpredictable. The Sixers go with value here with Smith, who could come in and backup Joel Embiid. Smith is another player who improved as a Sophomore and showed some versatility along the way.

22. Denver Nuggets (from Houston Rockets)- Jahmi'us Ramsey, Shooting Guard, Texas Tech: Ramsey is someone that was solid as a Freshman for Chris Beard's squad. He's someone that screams high energy guy off the bench for a contender. Those reasons are why this would be a great pick for the Nuggets, who fit that bill.

23. Miami Heat- Nico Mannion, Point Guard, Arizona: This would be a possible steal for the Heat, who need some youth at the position as they keep on reloading on the fly. Mannion is not someone that has great athleticism or can shoot well, but he has other qualities that could make him a solid player in the league.

24. Utah Jazz- Jaden McDaniels, Power Forward, Washington: McDaniels was super disappointing in college a year ago on what was the most disappointing team in the sport as he lead the Pac-12 in fouls per game. The one thing that could get McDaniels picked in the first round is upside.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Denver Nuggets)- Josh Green, Shooting Guard, Arizona: This would be a solid pick for a team that has a good mix of younger guys and veterans like the Thunder. Green is someone that is a great defensive player, but limited offensively although better than current Thunder player Andre Roberson.

26. Boston Celtics- Xavier Tillman, Power Forward, Michigan State: The Celtics have a lot of bigs now, although they don't have one that jumps right out at you. Tillman is someone that was one of the better bigs in the country with his strength and size, although not a great perimeter shooter despite averaging a double-double.

27. New York Knicks (from Los Angeles Clippers)- Vernon Carey Jr, Power Forward/Center, Duke: This would be a steal for the Knicks, who grab someone who I thought could have been a possibly lottery pick at this time six months ago. He has good skills, but is not explosive or length.

28. Toronto Raptors- Mamadi Diakite, Power Forward, Virginia: Diakite is someone that lands in a great situation in Toronto. He's a glue guy that always made big plays and was under-appreciated in college. Diakite was always a solid defender in college and his three-point shot was coming along this season.

29. Los Angeles Lakers- Cassius Winston, Point Guard, Michigan State: This would be a steal for the Lakers, who grab someone who many thought would be a lottery pick before the college basketball season. Personal issues really were a distraction for Winston, who isn't a great athlete but is smart and is a solid shooter.

30. Boston Celtics (from Milwaukee Bucks)- Cassius Stanley, Shooting Guard, Duke: Stanley is someone else that could be a steal in the late first round or early second round. He is someone that is a solid shooter from three and is great in the transition game.