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