New York Post - USA (2020-10-25)

New York Post, Sunday, October 25, 2020

nypost.com

The top three

prospects are

interchangeable, the

entire class is maligned,

and the drafthas been

delayed again and again

by COVID-19.A lot can

change between now

and Nov. 18, but here is

how ThePost sees the

night playing out:

1

TIMBERWOLVES

LaMelo Ball, PG, USA

The ambidextrous slick-

passing guard with star

potential has been rising of late.

There’s no lock top pick like Zion

Williamson, and Ball is not the perfect

defensive fit withKarl-Anthony Towns

and D’Angelo Russell, but the trio’s

upside is huge.

2

WARRIORS

Anthony Edwards,

SG, Georgia

The Warriors could trade

this pick fora star to team with

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

But if they hold it, expect them to go

with the athletic wingrather than

James Wiseman(or even theball-

dominant Ball, if he’s there).

3

HORNETS

James Wiseman,

C, Memphis

If the perception of this

beinga three-man draft is accurate,

the Hornets’ decision is made for

them. Charlotte can’tpass on the

7-foot-1 center with the 7-6 wingspan.

4

BULLS

DeniAvdija, SF, Israel

The skilled playmaking wing

rounds out what could

be a solid frontcourt in

Chicago.

5

CAVALIERS

Obi

Toppin, PF,

Dayton

The 6-9,

220-poundToppin can

dunk, shoot (39 percent

from 3-pointrange)

and complement lottery-pick guards

Darius Garland and Collin Sexton.

6

HAWKS

Tyrese Haliburton, PG,

IowaState

A 6-5 defender anda 41.9

percent 3-point shooter.

7

PISTONS

Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC

At 6-9, witha 7-2 wingspan,

Okongwu screens, hustles,

passes,rebounds and flat-out defends.

8

KNICKS

Killian Hayes, PG,France

Knicks fans may have PTSD

frompast French draftees,

but the brass loves this 6-5 lefty

teenaged playmaker.

9

WIZARDS

Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn

This physically explosive

wing gives JohnWall and

Bradley Beala great running mate,

and a different look from free-agent

shooter Davis Bertans.

10

SUNS

Kir a Lewis Jr.,

G, Alabama

The lightning quickLewis

has already met the Suns twice in

the predraft process. Could Phoenix

develop the teen behind Ricky Rubio?

11

SPURS

Patrick Williams,

SF, Florida St.

The Spurs are rebuilding.

Grabbing theraw 6-8 forward with the

plus wingspan and disruptive defense

should accelerate that.

12

KINGS

DevinVassell,

SF, Florida St.

Back-to-back Seminoles.

Vassell hit41.5 percent from

3, can guard multiple spots and gives

De’AaronFo x and the Kings much-

needed wing defense.

13

PELICANS

Aaron Nesmith,

SF , Vanderbilt

After shootinga misprint-

like 52.2 percent from deep thispast

season atVanderbilt, he’s the perfect

fit to space the floor for Williamson

and Brandon Ingram.

14

CELTICS

PreciousAc hiuwa,

PF, Memphis

He doesn’t shoot orread

defenseswell, but Brad Stevens can

work on that. Hisversatile defense

fits right into the Celtics’ DNA and

would’ve helped slow BamAdebayo in

the Eastern Conference finals.

15

MAGIC

Saddiq Bey,

SF, Villanova

A plug-and-play, 3-and-D

wing who can guard almost

every position. That’ll come in handy

2020 NBA

MOCK

DRAFT

ByBRIAN LEWIS

FOGGY AT

THE TOP

No clear No. 1 pick for T’wolves

in Post’s latest NBA mock draft

8

KILLIAN

HAYES

PG,France