Mock Draft 7.0: 2020 NBA Draft brings prototypical big man to Spurs

Florida State Seminoles forward and San Antonio Spurs draft prospect,  Patrick Williams (4) shoots a free throw during an exhibition game between FSU and Barry University at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019.Fsu Vs Barry Exhibition Basketball Game 102219 Ts 1022

The 2020 NBA Draft is approaching, who will the San Antonio Spurs take?

In a year of countless unprecedented events, it’s only fitting that the 2020 NBA Draft is going to be unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. Not only will the draft be held virtually and in the fall, but the San Antonio Spurs and other teams are going to have less time than ever to acclimate their new rookies to the NBA.

The NBA draft is scheduled to be held on November 18th and we have recently learned that the league is eyeballing a December 22nd start date for the ’20-21 season. This means that this year’s crop of rookies will have just over a month to prepare for the season, a drastically shorter time than the nearly four and a half months they would get in a typical season.

This doesn’t make this draft any less important but fans of every team should temper their expectations for the incoming class. They’re going to be rusty and they’ll hardly have any time to get to know their new teammates and learn their team’s schemes.

This short adjustment period could motivate teams near the top of the order to trade down. Minnesota and Golden State seem like they’re looking to win now. They could look to trade out of their top-two picks rather than trust a rookie with hardly a month of learning time to help them get back to the playoffs.

It’s anyone’s guess as to how the 2020 NBA Draft will play out but here is our most recent prediction for how it’ll all go down.

Next: Pick 1

Mar 7, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Anthony Edwards (5) walks to the bench on a time out against LSU Tigers during the first half at Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Quite a few rumors are floating around suggesting that the Timberwolves are looking to trade out of this pick for a player who can help them win now. But if they can’t find a suitable partner they should make the smart move and select Anthony Edwards with their first overall pick.

Edwards would come in and instantly give the Wolves another potent offensive weapon to slide in alongside D’Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Malik Beasley. Those three players have hardly shared the floor but the brief glimpses that we did see were promising. Adding a proven shot-maker like Edwards would only further elevate the potential of this Wolves team.

Edwards has all the physical tools to become a strong defender too, he just needs some time to learn the finer points of the game. He’s agile, long, and is built like a middle linebacker. He should have no problem matching up with a variety of players once he gets adjusted to the NBA.

After years of languishing in the lottery, the Wolves could be on the path back to the playoffs if they nail this pick by taking Edwards.

Next: 2

The Golden State Warriors are even more motivated to trade out of their pick than the Wolves are. They’ve already got their stars and with a few more pieces they could resume their place at the top of the Western Conference.

But if they decide not to trade out of the pick it’s sounding like they’re leaning towards taking Deni Avdija. They don’t need another guard so LaMelo Ball probably isn’t the pick. They could go with James Wiseman with the hope that he can counter Anthony Davis. But recent reports indicate that they’re enamored with Avdija’s potential and work ethic.

Per a report from Ethan Strauss (subscription required), the Warriors were blown away when they recently saw Deni work out.

“By all accounts, it was a positive get together, one in which the 19-year-old Israeli impressed observers. Not only did Avdija perform well in the workouts, but Warriors officials were blown away after meeting with him. The universal takeaway was that he’s a “great kid” with an immense work ethic.”

The biggest question mark in Avdija’s game is his shaky jumper. But if there was ever a team that could mitigate that and helps him improve it’s the squad with two of the best 3-point shooters of all time.

Next: 3

Memphis Tigers center James Wiseman walks off the court after their 82-74 loss to the Oregon Ducks at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019.W 24126

The Charlotte Hornets have been struggling to find a center for what seems like an eternity now. They’ve had a hole in the middle of their frontcourt since Al Jefferson left and this pick helps them fix that.

LaMelo Ball and Killian Hayes could be in play here as well but the Hornets already have two solid guards in Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier. They’re drafting for need and potential with this pick.

The first thing that jumps out at you when you watch Wiseman play is his absurd athleticism. He’s been compared to David Robinson in that regard and it’s easy to see where the comparisons stem from when you watch him glide up and down the court.

He’s going to need some time to adjust to the NBA and the short break between draft night and the start of the season won’t help with that one bit. But let’s be real, the Hornets aren’t contending for a title next year or even the year after that. This pick sets them up for years down the road. They can afford to wait on their star center to develop while they continue to build out the rest of their roster.

Next: 4

The Chicago Bulls went through a huge transition this summer. They’ve got a new head coach, a new front office, now it’s time to add a new floor general.

The Bulls used their first-round pick on Coby White last year but that shouldn’t stop them from using this pick on LaMelo Ball. He’d bring the star power that the Bulls have been craving since they lost Derrick Rose and he’d instantly inject energy into this team.

Ball is one of the most ambitious and visionary passers in this draft class. Like Lonzo, he sees passing window before they’re open and has no problem firing one-handed hail mary’s down the court into the open arms of teammates.

With White, Ball, and Zach LaVine the Bulls could have one of the most potent offensive backcourts in the league. They might struggle on defense but they certainly won’t have a hard time putting up points.

Next: 5

January 30, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Onyeka Okongwu (21) shoots against Utah Utes center Branden Carlson (35) during the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers could look to move Kevin Love before the start of next season and are reportedly far away from coming to terms on an extension with Andre Drummond. Whether they keep one or both of those players for the foreseeable future they should still use this pick on Onyeak Okongwu.

I’m a huge Okongwu fan. Along with Saddiq Bey he’s got one of the highest floors in this entire draft class. It’s very difficult to see him being anything less than a versatile two-way big man for a long time.

He defends at an elite level, can switch onto smaller players, protects the rim, can hold his own on the perimeter, it’s really quite impressive how versatile he is on defense at such a young age.

On offense, he’s a smooth finisher in the paint and has shown some flashes of playmaking ability. He’ll have to work on his jumper to become a floor-spacing threat but there’s optimism that he can get there in time.

Next: 6

Feb 8, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Tyrese Haliburton (22) reacts during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks need to add some defensive punch to their starting lineup. They could use this pick on Isaac Okoro or Devin Vassell but they’ve already got two solid young wings with Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter. Tyrese Haliburton is the play here.

Haliburton is one of the most well-rounded guards in this draft class. He’s a strong defender, a creative playmaker, and he can absolutely stroke it from deep. He shot 42.6 percent from behind the arc during his two years with the Cyclones and should have no problem keeping that going in the NBA.

One of the best things about his game, especially for Atlanta, is how well he’s able to play without the ball in his hands. Trae Young needs the ball to be effective but Haliburton can slide through picks and is an excellent spot-up shooter. Together they should be quite the pair.

Next: 7

Feels a bit lazy to mock Killian Hayes to the Pistons again and again but this is just too good of a fit to not go for it again. The Pistons need their point guard of the future and Hayes is the man for the job.

Detroit is in a weird spot right now. They’ve got an All-NBA (when healthy) caliber player in Blake Griffin but outside of that, it’s a weird mix of young players and underwhelming roster fillers. Between Luke Kennard, Sekou Doumbouya, and Christian Wood they’ve got a solid young core, they just need a point guard to round it all out.

Enter Hayes, the crafty lefty who some view as the best point guard in this entire draft class. He can score off the dribble, create for his teammates with ease, and the fact that he’s a southpaw makes everything a little trickier for defenders.

The path forward for the Pistons should be clear – trade Griffin, draft Hayes, and build around the young core you’ve got in place over the next few years.

Next: 8

Florida State Seminoles guard Devin Vassell (24) celebrates a big play during a game between FSU and Pittsburgh at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020.Fsu Vs Pittrsburgh 021820 Ts 3134

This is a bit of a tricky pick. Ideally, there would be a top-tier point guard on the board for the Knicks to take. But if they’re all gone they’ve got a few options. They could select Obi Toppin, the showstopping offensive big man. But they’ve got a stable of big men as it is. Isaac Okoro is probably the best player available but he’s not a shooter and the Knicks are struggling to space the floor as it is. No, Devin Vassell is the move here.

If the Knicks intend to use RJ Barrett as their de facto point guard they’re going to need 3-point shooters to help him out. Vassell shot 41.5 percent from behind the arc this year and should be able to keep that going in the pros.

There are some concerns about the tinkering he’s been doing to his shot lately but Knicks fans will just have to cross their hearts and pray it’s just a phase and not the second coming of Markelle Fultz.

Next: 9

Feb 28, 2020; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Dayton Flyers forward Obi Toppin (1) goes up to dunk against the Davidson Wildcats during the second half at University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Wizards had one of the most potent offenses in the league last year and it’s time to go for broke on purely outscoring their opponents.

Obi Toppin is one of the most explosive offensive players in this draft class. He rampaged through his final year with the Dayton Flyers, putting countless opponents on posters and embarrassing every poor soul who tried to guard him in a variety of new and creative ways.

He’s a good mid-range scorer, can hit from deep, is a beast in the post, and can serve as a playmaking hub from the high post. He’s going to seriously elevate the potential of an already strong offense.

There are legitimate concerns about his ability to hold his own on the defensive end but as we said, go for broke on outscoring opponents at this point. With John Wall, Bradley Beal, Davis Bertans, and Toppin the Wizards should be one of the best offenses in the league once again.

Next: 10

Auburn forward Isaac Okoro (23) high five fans at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. Auburn defeated Vanderbilt 83-79.Jc Auburnvandy 31

How lucky are the Phoenix Suns? After an incredibly impressive end to the season they luck out and Isaac Okoro slides down to them at the 10th pick.

Okoro is the best defender in this draft class by a fairly wide margin. Vassell is good but Okoro is on a different level. Even if his jumper never pans out he’s going to be a starter on a team for a long time due to his defensive impacts alone.

He’s a good finisher and, if he times his cuts correctly, he should be able to subsist on a steady diet of dimes from one of Ricky Rubio or Devin Booker. He’s got playmaking potential as well so those roles could be flipped if necessary.

The Suns were already picked by many to be a playoff team this upcoming season, adding an impressive defender like Oroko only helps strengthen their case.

Next: 11

Florida State Seminoles forward Patrick Williams (4) looks to drive the ball to the basket. The Florida State Seminoles beat the Boston College Eagles 80-62, Saturday, March 7, 2020. The Seminoles clinched the ACC regular season title.Fsu Others191

It’s a shame that Okoro didn’t make it one more pick, he would’ve been an excellent addition to the Spurs. Instead, San Antonio will have to go with the man that many experts have been expecting them to add for a while now.

Much of the hype around Patrick Williams is tied to the hope that he’s able to blend his athleticism with a growing basketball IQ to become a true two-way force. Watching his highlights it’s easy to see why people are so excited about his.

He can protect the rim, rebound, push the ball up the court, and does a good job finding his teammates in transition and half-court situations.

As a scorer he’s shown impressive finishing ability, can knock down mid-range jumpers, and while his 3-point percentage isn’t quite where you want it to be yet (32 percent), his high rate from the free-throw line (84 percent) indicates that he could be a floor-spacing threat at the next level.

He might need a season or two to develop but when all is said and done he should form a versatile and potentially very dangerous frontcourt duo with Luka Samanic.

Next: 12

Feb 29, 2020; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Jalen Smith (25) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at XFINITY Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

If you can explain to me why the Sacramento Kings didn’t pick up Harry Giles’s option this summer and elected to let him become an unrestricted free agent I’d appreciate it. It was a monumentally boneheaded move and now the Kings have to use their pick on making up for it.

Even if the Kings aren’t able to bring Giles back they should have a suitable replacement in Jalen Smith. He’s a fascinating offensive-minded big man who can play inside and outside.

He’s skilled in pick and roll, is a strong lob threat, and has shown an ability to hit the three. There’s no doubt about the impact that he can have on offense.

The questions about Smith are more related to his defensive ability. He’s got the length but is going to have to get stronger and smarter to hold his own. If the Kings’ frontcourt consists of him and Marvin Bagley they’re going to open themselves up to being dominated down low unless one of those two can make substantial steps forward on defense.

Next: 14

Don’t be surprised to see the Celtics package one or more of their three first-round picks to move up from this spot acquire or establish an already established player. But if they do end up keeping this pick why not swing for the fences?

The Celtics made it to the Eastern Conference Finals this year and they should be contenders to reach the Finals every year for the foreseeable future. Between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they’ve got the two top-end wings they need. They can afford to be a bit risky with this pick.

Aleksej Pokusevski is a risky pick. He’s a fascinating player, he’s a giant who plays more like a wing. He’s got impressive playmaking ability and can really shoot it from outside but he’s far too skinny to survive in the NBA right now.

He’s going to need a few years to work on his body but the Celtics can afford to wait. They’ve got players coming up and two more first-round picks to use. This is a hope and prayer pick but if it lands the Celtics will be thankful they took it.

Next: 15

Feb 29, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cole Anthony (2) works to get the ball past Syracuse Orange forward Quincy Guerrier in the second half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic need a point guard and Cole Anthony is the best available at this point, this is as good of a match as Orlando is going to find.

Anthony was projected as a top-ten pick heading into his freshman season with the Tar Heels but an up and down season did a number on his draft stock. But, to his credit, his shaky performance was more due to a lackluster supporting cast than it was a lack of ability on his end. The traits that made him a highly coveted prospect heading into the year are still there.

He’s an explosive offensive player. He’s incredibly dangerous off the dribble and can score in a variety of ways. He can finish any way he wants around the rim and his pull-up jumper is nice.

He’s a bit smaller than most lead guards in the NBA today but he makes up for it on the defensive end with good instincts and scrappy play. At 15 this is a solid pick for a team that desperately needs another floor general.

Next: 16

Mar 8, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Memphis Tigers forward Precious Achiuwa (55) drives with the ball as Houston Cougars forward Justin Gorham (4) defends during the second half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Trail Blazers should be going into this pick looking for someone who can help them right away. They were ravaged by injuries last year and still made an impressive late-season playoff push. With the right addition, they could contend for a trip to the Finals.

Portland’s backcourt is one of the best in the NBA but their frontcourt could use some help. Adding an impact player like Precious Achiuwa should do the trick.

He won’t get many plays called for him but Achiuwa should feast on easy looks from Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. He’s a solid partner in pick and roll situations and if he gets even a glimpse at the rim he should find a way to score more often than not.

He doesn’t show much ability to space the floor but on a team with proven shooters like the Blazers that shouldn’t be an issue. There’s going to be plenty of space inside for him to do what he does best.

Next: 17

After using their first pick on Anthony Edwards the Wolves double down on adding to their frontcourt by taking Tyrese Maxey with their second selection.

Maxey can play with either one of Edwards or D’Angelo Russell and should be able to run an offense on his own if the Wolves ask him to. He’s more shifty than he is explosive but he still finds ways to get to the rim or set up his teammates efficiently.

He’s a bit undersized, he’s just 6’3, but that doesn’t stop him from being an impressive defender. He does a great job of staying in front of his man and is strong enough that he’s still able to hang with players who are a bit bigger than him.

Minnesota has a lot of options with this pick but there’s virtually no chance that they’d end up regretting using it on Tyrese Maxey. He’s a fiery competitor who can help them get back to the playoffs right away.

Next: 18

Saddiq Bey is one of the most NBA ready players in this draft class and is coming into the ideal situation for a player such as himself. The Mavericks need a player like Bey and they’ve got guys on the roster who can mitigate the weaknesses in his game.

The Mavericks already have an MVP candidate in Luka Doncic and giving him another knockdown shooter such as Bey to dish passes to is borderline unfair. Bey can absolutely stroke it from deep. He hit on 45 percent of his three’s during his sophomore season and should have no problem getting near that mark in the NBA.

On defense, Bey is a versatile option. He was often asked to guard the opposing team’s best scorer, regardless of position. He can guard almost every spot on the floor but will have trouble with the biggest of big men and more athletic guards.

The critics of his game will point to his less than world-class athleticism and low release as reasons to be wary of drafting him but those are marginal. Villanova’s been pumping out quality role players for years now and Bey is next in line.

Next: 19

Mar 14, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Washington Huskies guard Nahziah Carter (right) pressures Arizona Wildcats guard Josh Green (0) during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets don’t need to hit a home run here. With a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving returning in 2020, they’re well-positioned to contend for a title next year. Now they just need to add a few complementary pieces to fill the roster out.

It’s hard to find a more well-suited player than Josh Green. He’s a phenomenal 3-and-D player, a tremendous athlete, and he knows his role.

He’s not going to create his own shots but in this offense, he shouldn’t have to. With KD and Kyrie running the attack with Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie playing secondary key roles, Green can confine his offense to hitting spot-up threes, making timely cuts, and getting out in transition. These are all things he already does very well.

This isn’t a splashy pick but the Nets don’t need that right now, they need willing defenders who can knock down open three’s when asked to do so. Green can bring all of that plus some additional potential down the line.

Next: 20

Losing Goran Dragic in the Finals tanked the Miami Heat’s chances of winning a title and exposed their dangerous lack of depth at the point guard position. This pick fills a need and brings one of the best players left on the board to Miami.

He’s a ferocious defender and blazingly fast on offense. He’s going to make for a very dangerous addition to an already strong Heat team.

He needs to add some weight and improve as a playmaker over the next few years but the Heat are almost the perfect team to help with that. They’ve got what is largely recognized as one of the best strength and conditioning staff’s in the league and with multiple playmaking options, they can afford to wait for Lewis to develop.

Miami’s ability to acquire young talent while simultaneously contending for championships is incredibly impressive. They’re going to be a dangerous team for a long time.

Next: 21

Vanderbilt forward Aaron Nesmith (24), a San Antonio Spurs draft prospect, shoots the ball as Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) defends during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

After an incredibly disappointing end to their season, the 76ers luck out by having Aaron Nesmith fall all the way to them with the 21st pick.

Nesmith is one of the best shooters in this class. His sophomore season was cut short due to injury but before then he was knocking down 52 percent of his 3-point attempts. That’s on small sample size and surely isn’t sustainable but it’s still mightily impressive.

He doesn’t bring too much to the table as a facilitator but he can be counted on to make smart, timely passes. And it’s not as if Philadelphia was ever going to ask him to take on a large playmaking role. He’s there to can three’s, he’ll have no problem doing just that.

The 76ers have a lot of soul searching to do during the offseason. They’ve got almost no cap space to spare and rumors have floated out that one of their star players could be moved before the next season starts. But no matter what path they go down they could always use a shooter with Nesmith’s accuracy.

Next: 22

Jan 5, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies forward Jaden McDaniels (0) shoots against USC Trojans forward Nick Rakocevic (31) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets have proven that they’re willing to take chances in the draft and they’re swinging for the fences again with this pick. If Jaden McDaniels reaches his ceiling he’ll give the Nuggets another dangerous, multi-positional wing to go with Michael Porter Jr.

McDaniels came into his lone season at Washington as one of the most highly hyped players in the country. But against tougher competition, he faltered. His freshman season was incredibly underwhelming and raised questions about whether he can be successful at the next level.

He’s a smooth athlete who handles the ball better than you’d expect for a player of his size. And combining that handle with a nice jumper makes him a dangerous offensive option. But when he gets away from the perimeter and into the paint his slight frame puts him at a distinct disadvantage.

He’ll need quite a while to acclimate to the NBA. He had turnover problems in college and that’s only going to be exacerbated by the speed of the game at the next level. But if this pick pans out it’ll be a huge win for the Nuggets.

Next: 23

Oct 5, 2018; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; USA Men’s Junior National Team participant RJ Hampton (72) during minicamp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah Jazz are in a strange spot right now. They’ve got their star players and a solid collection of other contributors but it feels like they’re just sitting on the fence. If they’re not able to get past teams like the Denver Nuggets do we really think they’d stand a chance in a seven-game series with a team like the Lakers?

A slight teardown and rebuild might be needed to reposition this team for success. That would likely include moving on from Mike Conely and this pick helps prepare Utah for that possibility.

RJ Hampton is an explosive athlete who could be paired with Donovan Mitchell to give Utah a much more dynamic backcourt than what they’ve got now. It really helps that Hampton doesn’t need the ball in his hands in order to be successful.

He is going to need some time to work on bulking up and improving his defense though. He’s still very raw as a player right now and shouldn’t be expected to contribute right away.

Next: 24

Nov 25, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Tyrell Terry (3) celebrates after a play against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks need to make some serious changes this offseason, starting with their backcourt. It’s not a stretch to say that Eric Bledsoe carries a substantial amount of the blame for the Bucks’ recent playoff exits on his shoulders. An upgrade at the point guard position is needed.

Tyrell Terry is never going to be the defender that Bledsoe is but he’s a phenomenal shooter who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be successful. The Bucks can afford to give up some defensive impact for a player who fits what they need as well as Terry does.

He connected on over 40 percent of his 3-point attempts in college and is very comfortable pulling up from well beyond NBA range. He’s also great at sliding around picks in order to get himself open which helps make up for his lack of height.

His shotmaking is what’s going to get him drafted but the other areas of his game are coming along as well. He’s shown impressive passing ability but still needs to improve. The Bucks can afford to wait on him doing that while also counting on him to hit the wide-open shots he’ll surely find playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Next: 25 & 26

Mar 11, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guard Desmond Bane (1) dribbles against Kansas State Wildcats guard Cartier Diarra (2) during the second half at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder have enough draft picks coming their way that they can remake their roster in whatever way they choose. They’ll probably end up taking some high-risk players during that process but this a safe and easy pick for now.

Desmond Bane is a seasoned veteran and an excellent playmaking wing. His long-range shooting makes him an excellent off-ball threat but he’s able to run an offense as well. He thrived in pick and roll situations at TCU and could grow into a sizeable playing role in time.

His methodical approach and veteran experience should help him adapt to the faster pace quicker than some of the other members of his draft class.

The Celtics were bullied by Bam Adebayo during the Conference and need to add some size to their team. Isaiah Stewart is a bruising, old school big man who should have no issues throwing it down in the paint with physical players like Adebayo and Joel Embiid.

He’s not going to help space the floor and doesn’t even go into the mid-range that often but he’s excellent at what he does. He’ll be able to step in right away and give Boston a physically imposing paint protector and glass eater.

Next: 27 & 28

Feb 15, 2020; Stanford, California, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Nico Mannion (right) drives against Stanford Cardinal guard Daejon Davis (left) during the second half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Nico Mannion is one of the most visionary and ambitious passers in this class. He’s willing to make risky plays and sees teammates next moves well before they happen, this makes him excellent and dropping dimes into barely-there windows.

He’s also very comfortable hitting three’s which is a necessity for a New York team that has struggled with spacing in the past. He’s going to have to improve on his accuracy but his form Is smooth and his solid performance from the free-throw line builds optimism that he’ll improve.

He’ll often be targeted on the defensive end of the floor because he isn’t that tall and doesn’t have a particularly impressive wingspan but if he’s surrounded by bigger players he should be able to hold his own against point guards. Just pray he doesn’t get switched onto one of the dozens of dangerous scoring wings taking over the league.

LeBron James isn’t going to kick up his heels and relax now that he’s gotten Anthony Davis his first NBA title. No, the King and the Lakers are going to be the favorites heading into their title defense campaign and will want to use this pick to add a player who they can count on to help defend their throne.

Bey is that dude. He’s ready to step into a decent role with a contending team and his consistent 3-point shooting and hard-nosed defense should get him on James’s good side early. He’s not great at creating for himself but on this team, he’ll almost never have to. This is as good of a match between player and team as you’ll find this late in the draft.

Next: 29 & 30

Feb 8, 2020; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Robert Woodard II (12) and guard Tyson Carter (23) react during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Woodard is a solid two-way wing who should have a long career in the NBA as a role player. He’s not going to blow you away with any part of his game but altogether he’s a well-rounded player who should be able to contribute right away.

There are some questions about his ability to be a threat from behind the arc. He made substantial improvements from his freshman to sophomore seasons but were going to want to see him shoot the ball more before believing that his shot shooting will stick around for the long haul.

He’s limited by his slight stature and less than stellar athleticism but Malachi Flynn still finds ways to be successful in nearly every facet of the game. He’s got a game that’s perfect for today’s NBA and should excel when surrounded by the level of offensive talent that the Celtics have.

He can play on or off the ball and should have a solid role on the team from the get-go. It helps that he’s cut from the same cloth as Marcus Smart. Neither of these two will back down from a challenge, that’s surely a mentality that will help Flynn win the respect of his new teammates and fans quickly.