2020 Draft Day Prediction Thread!

[loserX]

Two weeks until Draft Day in this crazy, crazy year!

I've done a few of these in the past, sometimes keeping score...but (like 2019's) I think this year's will be just for fun and discussion. (You are of course encouraged to post back and brag about how you did...or eat crow )

A) Mock out the top 10, noting any traded picks:

1) Minnesota Timberwolves
2) Golden State Warriors
3) Charlotte Hornets
4) Chicago Bulls
5) Cleveland Cavaliers
6) Atlanta Hawks
7) Detroit Pistons
8) New York Knicks
9) Washington Wizards
10) Phoenix Suns

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day?

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day?

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Who will be the biggest reach?

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year?

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion?

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey
iii) Zeke Nnaji

**Not a prediction, just a preference: who (realistically) would you like to see your team come away with on draft day?

[gswhoops]

A) Mock out the top 10, noting any traded picks

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - Anthony Edwards
2. Golden State Warriors - James Wiseman
3. New York Knicks* - LaMelo Ball
4. Chicago Bulls - Deni Avdija
5. Cleveland Cavaliers - Obi Toppin
6. Atlanta Hawks - Onyeka Okongwu
7. Detroit Pistons - Killian Hayes
8. Charlotte Hornets* - Tyrese Haliburton
9. Washington Wizards - Isaac Okoro
10. Phoenix Suns - Kira Lewis Jr.

*Traded pick

(edit 11/16)

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day?

5

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day?

Al Horford

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Who will be the biggest reach?

Steal: Paul Reed in the second round
Reach: Precious Achiewa in the top-20

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year?

Cole Anthony slips to the late 1st/early 2nd

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion?

Kira Lewis

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey
iii) Zeke Nnaji

i) True (best guess: Boston at 26/30)
ii) True (best guess: LAL at 28)
ii) False

**Not a prediction, just a preference: who (realistically) would you like to see your team come away with on draft day?

In a perfect world, trade down to pick up a '21 pick with light protection and add Vassell or Saddiq Bey

[Texas Chuck]

A) Mock out the top 10, noting any traded picks:

1) Minnesota Timberwolves-- Trade to Charlotte James Wiseman selected
2) Golden State Warriors -- Lamelo Ball (drafted to be traded)
3) Charlotte Hornets -- traded to Atl via MIN -- Anthony Edwards selected
4) Chicago Bulls -- Tyrese Haliburton
5) Cleveland Cavaliers -- Onyeka Okongwu
6) Atlanta Hawks -- traded to Wolves -- Isaac Okoro
7) Detroit Pistons -- Killian Hayes
8) New York Knicks -- Devin Vassel
9) Washington Wizards -- Obi Toppin
10) Phoenix Suns -- Patrick Williams

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day? -- Counting actual draft day right? If so -- 10

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day? Chris Paul

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Who will be the biggest reach? Steal -- Tre Jones Reach -- RJ Hampton

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year? -- Nico Mannion

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion? Kira Lewis

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro True
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey False
iii) Zeke Nnaji False

**Not a prediction, just a preference: who (realistically) would you like to see your team come away with on draft day?[/quote]

Desmond Bane

[HornetJail]

A) Mock out the top 10, noting any traded picks:

1) Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards
2) Golden State Warriors to Phoenix Suns (Suns trade #10, Oubre, and a future pick for #2, filler contracts, TPE, make a separate deal involving Rubio): LaMelo Ball
3) Charlotte Hornets: James Wiseman
4) Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija
5) Cleveland Cavaliers: Onyeka Okongwu
6) Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Haliburton
7) Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes
8) New York Knicks: Devin Vassell
9) Washington Wizards: Obi Toppin
10) Phoenix Suns to Golden State Warriors: Tyrell Terry

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day? 5 (#2 and #10 in the trade above, either #16 or #17 for Aaron Gordon, #21 from Philly, and one of #26 or #30 from Boston)

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day? Chris Paul

--honestly everything from here on out is a total guess since I really don't have a clue what's going on past the 11-15 range in this class--

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Obi Toppin. Who will be the biggest reach? Deni Avdija

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year? Isaac Okoro drops to like 15-20

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion? let's go Theo

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro - False
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey - False
iii) Zeke Nnaji - True

**Not a prediction, just a preference: who (realistically) would you like to see your team come away with on draft day? James Wiseman or Onyeka Okongwu, and an extra pick or two in the 15-35 range from taking on a crap contract. Preferably we get some value out of Terry Rozier also

[aguiar95]

A) (I have a mock on the draft thread, go check it out)

1) Minnesota Timberwolves - Anthony Edwards
2) Golden State Warriors - James Wiseman
3) Charlotte Hornets - traded to NYK - Lamelo Ball
4) Chicago Bulls -- Killian Hayes
5) Cleveland Cavaliers - Deni Avdija
6) Atlanta Hawks - Tyrese Haliburton
7) Detroit Pistons - traded to BOS - Onyeka Okongwu
8) New York Knicks - traded to CHA - Isaac Okoro
9) Washington Wizards - traded to SAS - Devin Vassel
10) Phoenix Suns - Kira Lewis Jr.

B) 12

C) Demar DeRozan

D) Steal - Jalen Smith, Reach - Aaron Nesmith

E) Cole Anthony

F) Easily Kira Lewis.

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro True
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey True
iii) Zeke Nnaji True

**Not a prediction, just a preference: who (realistically) would you like to see your team come away with on draft day?

Leandro Bolmaro

[Pinkyring]

A) Mock out the top 10, noting any traded picks:

1) Minnesota Timberwolves-- Trade to Charlotte James Wiseman selected
2) Golden State Warriors -- Lamelo Ball (drafted to be traded)
3) Charlotte Hornets -- traded to Atl via MIN -- Anthony Edwards selected
4) Chicago Bulls -- Tyrese Haliburton
5) Cleveland Cavaliers -- Onyeka Okongwu
6) Atlanta Hawks -- traded to Wolves -- Isaac Okoro
7) Detroit Pistons -- Killian Hayes
8) New York Knicks -- Devin Vassel
9) Washington Wizards -- Obi Toppin
10) Phoenix Suns -- Patrick Williams

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day? -- Counting actual draft day right? If so -- 10

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day? Chris Paul

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Who will be the biggest reach? Steal -- Tre Jones Reach -- RJ Hampton

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year? -- Nico Mannion

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion? Kira Lewis

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro True
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey False
iii) Zeke Nnaji False

**Not a prediction, just a preference: who (realistically) would you like to see your team come away with on draft day?

Desmond Bane[/quote]
Bane at 18 or 31

[ejftw]

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day?

Six

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day?

Lou Williams

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Who will be the biggest reach?

Steals: Lamine Diane and Jay Scrubb
Reach: Jahmius Ramsey

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year?

LaMelo

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion?

Kira Lewis

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro: Yes
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey: Yes
iii) Zeke Nnaji: No

Bonus: With Diane and Scrubb probably going u drafted, I hope they ink them to two-way deals, giving Coffey a "promotion" to a full contract. With the very late second round pick, I'd love Cassius Winston

[Texas Chuck]

Bane at 18 or 31

I'm guessing between those. 18 is probably early, but I'd be okay with it. 31 he probably doesn't get there. But Dallas likes to move around in the draft historically so I have them picking him in the early 20's.

[Buzzard]

A) Mock out the top 10, noting any traded picks:

1) Minnesota Timberwolves - LeMelo Ball
2) Golden State Warriors - James Wiseman
3) Charlotte Hornets - Anthony Edwards
4) Chicago Bulls - Tyrese Haliburton
5) Cleveland Cavaliers - Deni Avdija
6) Atlanta Hawks - Onyeka Okongwu
7) Detroit Pistons - Obi Toppin
8) New York Knicks - Isaac Okoro
9) Washington Wizards - Killian Hayes
10) Phoenix Suns - Devin Vassell

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day? 3

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day? Jrue Holiday

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Cole Anthony Who will be the biggest reach? RJ Hampton

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year? Precious Achiuwa

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion? Kira Lewis

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro - True
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey - True
iii) Zeke Nnaji - False

**Not a prediction, just a preference: who (realistically) would you like to see your team come away with on draft day? Okongwu

In one way the Suns get screwed but if Booker really wants out, Vassell could be the best player on the board and best fit for them in the long run.

[ecuhus1981]

May I make a small suggestion?

I know this thread is already all underway, but I think a full lottery (14 picks) would be a better line than an arbitrary top 10.

[Grodoboldo]

A) Mock out the top 10, noting any traded picks:

1) Minnesota Timberwolves - Edwards
2) Golden State Warriors - Ball (traded to the Knicks for #8, Robinson and Dallas 21' first rounder)
3) Charlotte Hornets - Wiseman
4) Chicago Bulls - Hayes
5) Cleveland Cavaliers - Avdija
6) Atlanta Hawks - Haliburton
7) Detroit Pistons - Okongwu (traded to the Celtics for #14, #26 and #30).
8) New York Knicks - Vassell (traded to the Warriors alongide Robinson and Dallas 21' first rounder for #2)
9) Washington Wizards - Hampton
10) Phoenix Suns - Toppin

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day? 8

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day? Chris Paul

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Who will be the biggest reach? Steal - Maledon (late 1st) ; Reach - Hampton - top 10

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year? Cole Anthony (18-25 1st round)

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion? Lewis

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro - True
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey - False
iii) Zeke Nnaji - False

**Not a prediction, just a preference: who (realistically) would you like to see your team come away with on draft day? Hayes. Also, I'd really like to trade Markannen for another 1st rounder (I'm the lone inhabitant on Nesmith island).

[ecuhus1981]

1. Edwards (no trade, but heavily shopped)
2. Wiseman (same)
3. Okongwu
4. Avdija
5. Toppin
6. Hayes
7. Ball
8. Okoro
9. Vassell
10. Lewis
11. Bey
12. Nesmith
13. Haliburton
14. Pokusevski

B) 8, which is a lot of movement
C) George
D) in 5 years, relative to where I think he'll be selected: Tillman
E) this draft is so subjective, no one is a lock anywhere. I'll say Maxey
F) Lewis
G) False, True, False
H)

[NYG]

A) Mock out the top 10, noting any traded picks:

1) Minnesota Timberwolves - Anthony Edwards
2) Golden State Warriors - James Wiseman
3) Charlotte Hornets - Onyeka Okongwu
4) Chicago Bulls - LaMelo Ball
5) Cleveland Cavaliers - Obi Toppin
6) Atlanta Hawks - Killian Hayes
7) Detroit Pistons - Patrick Williams
8) New York Knicks - Isaac Okoro
9) Washington Wizards - Tyrese Haliburton
10) Phoenix Suns - Deni Avdija

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day?
10 first round picks get traded in total

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day?
Jrue Holiday

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Who will be the biggest reach?
I see teams reaching on Obi Toppin, Tyrell Terry, Patrick Williams and Kira Lewis
I see steals in Isaac Okoro, Saddiq Bey, Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Smith

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year?
There are many good point guard options that Cole Anthony could fall into the late first/early second range

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion?
Kira Lewis

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:
i) Leandro Bolmaro (TRUE)
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey (This will be close, but I'll say TRUE)
iii) Zeke Nnaji (FALSE)

**Not a prediction, just a preference: who (realistically) would you like to see your team come away with on draft day?

I really like Isaac Okoro under Thibodeau.

[ecuhus1981]

Oh, on my preference, if we have to pick, I would love to trade 19 to Boston for 26 and 30. I think that Anthony and Bane will be there.

But truly, I'm not gaga over anyone in this draft, at lost where we'll be picking. If 19 can help sweeten a deal for George, Holiday or even Oladipo, I'm cool with that.

[NYG]

Just FYI...

The last draft facing this much financially uncertainty was the pre-lockout draft of 2011. Also, after Kyrie Irving/Derrick Williams, it was mostly considered flat like this one if I recall correctly. There was 10 first round draft picks traded, but mostly in the late first. Only Stephen Jackson and George Hill were the veterans of any merit traded.
https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2011/news/story?id=6692627

Also...

I took the average of the rankings of the sources most in touch with what NBA teams plan to do (not necessarily scouting prospects, but more so how it will actually end up playing out). I used Givony, Vecenie, CBS Sports, SI.com and NBADraft.net then average it out.

Here is the resulting top 50...

1. LaMelo Ball
2. Anthony Edwards
3. James Wiseman
4. Obi Toppin
5. Onyeka Okongwu
6. Killian Hayes
7. Tyrese Haliburton
8. Deni Avdija
9. Isaac Okoro
10. Devin Vassell
11. Patrick Williams
12. Aaron Nesmith
13. Precious Achiuwa
14. Tyrese Maxey
15. Kira Lewis
16. Cole Anthony
17. Saddiq Bey
18. RJ Hampton
19. Aleksej Poksevski
20. Theo Maledon
21. Josh Green
22. Tyrell Terry
23. Leandro Bolmaro
24. Jalen Smith
25. Isaiah Stewart
26. Jaden McDaniels
27. Nico Mannion
28. Jahmi'us Ramsey
29. Grant Riller
30. Tre Jones
31. Malachi Flynn
32. Desmond Bane
33. Tyler Bey
34. Xavier Tillman Sr
35. Daniel Oturu
36. Isaiah Joe
37. Zeke Nnajia
38. Vernon Carey
39. Devon Dotson
40. Cassius Winston
41. Robert Woodard II
42. Cassius Stanley
43. Elijah Hughes
44. Payton Pritchard
45. Immanuel Quickley
46. Jordan Nwora
47. Paul Reed Jr.
48. Udoka Azubuike
49. Reggie Perry
50. Skylar Mays

[HartfordWhalers]

Stickied.

[gswhoops]

How do we feel about edits?

[Texas Chuck]

How do we feel about edits?

This far in advance of the draft I feel fine about it--as always the "right" thing to do is to make it clear it is an edit.

[loserX]

How do we feel about edits?

This far in advance of the draft I feel fine about it--as always the "right" thing to do is to make it clear it is an edit.

And ideally in a case like this, the date edited.

In the interest of fairness and all! But in the end it doesn't matter, this is all just for fun

[enzino]

A) Mock out the top 10, noting any traded picks:

1) Minnesota Timberwolves - Anthony Edwards
2) Golden State Warriors - James Wiseman
3) Charlotte Hornets - Onyeka Okongwu
4) Chicago Bulls - Deni Avdija
5) New York Knicks from Cleveland Cavaliers LaMelo Ball traded to New York Knicks for #8, #27
6) Atlanta Hawks Precious Achiuwa
7) Detroit Pistons Killian Hayes
8) Cleveland Cavaliers from New York Knicks Devin Vassell traded with #27 to Cleveland Cavaliers
9) Washington Wizards Saddiq Bey
10) Phoenix Suns Tyrese Haliburton

B) How many 2020 first rounders will get traded between now and draft day?

3

C) Who will be the biggest name player (not draftee) traded between now and draft day?

Jrue Holiday

D) Who will be the biggest steal? Who will be the biggest reach?

Obi Toppin/Precious Achiuwa

E) Every year, some top prospect takes a huge and unexpected slide. (e.g. in 2019, highly touted (but injured) Bol Bol fell all the way to #44!) Who's the candidate for that this year?

Patrick Williams

F) Which of these lower-tier PG prospects will be taken earliest: Kira Lewis, Theo Maledon, Nico Mannion?

Kira Lewis

G) True or False: this player will be taken in the first round:

i) Leandro Bolmaro true
ii) Jahmi'us Ramsey false
iii) Zeke Nnaji false