2020 Draft

[prime1time]

Can an Anthony Edwards and Bradley Beal back court work

It can, but Edwards is not a knockdown shooter right now. So if you draft him, it'd behoove teams to bring him along slowly. I think a good comparison is how the Spurs bought along Kawhi.

[Jamaaliver]

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2020 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Anthony Edwards Leads Early Projections

Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman headline our first mock draft of the season

1. Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia

Height: 6’5” | Weight: 225 | Age: 18 | Freshman

Spoiler:

By my estimation, Edwards is the early answer to the No. 1 pick conundrum, offering the most appealing combination of athleticism, shot-creation, defensive potential and sheer upside. Though far from a finished product, he checks the right boxes from a physical perspective, and possesses the base skills to eventually justify a high-usage backcourt role down the line. His pull-up game and off-dribble scoring continues to improve, and his natural strength and explosiveness are a plus, even if he’s a bit undersized for a two-guard. He shoots jumpers naturally enough to project with optimism, and it helps in all facets that he’ll be one of the younger players in this draft class. Edwards’ passing and decision-making skills are a work in progress, but so long as he can score the ball efficiently and learns the value of shot selection, he’ll have a chance to be quite good, and a legitimate building block worthy of the hype.

2. LaMelo Ball, G, Illawarra Hawks

Height: 6’6” | Weight: 180 | Age: 18

Spoiler:

If you cut through all the hype and off-court drama that’s surrounded his family, Ball, in a vacuum, possesses a wealth of attractive on-court traits. His size, playmaking feel, jump shooting potential, and capacity to play uptempo gives him a chance to be a high-impact player at the NBA level, with a logical pathway to augmenting a team’s offense with his unique skill set. In a best-case scenario, Ball could become a productive lead guard, with potential to serve as the engine for a high-powered offense as his pull-up game continues to improve. His play, predictably, has been up and down in Australia so far, and accounting for his age, that’s to be expected—the simple fact he’s been productive, and a key part of his team’s offense, means something in itself. Safe to say, teams are monitoring him quite closely, and a respectable body of work in the NBL may legitimize his case as a top selection.

The biggest impediment Ball will face moving forward comes from his lack of plus strength and explosiveness. He’s been able to compensate to this point with a shifty handle and his ability to change speeds, and while his size helps a great deal, Ball still has a ways to go to fully account for his weaknesses at the highest level. Defensively, he might be a sieve. And while fun to watch, it’s unclear how much his freewheeling style of play contributes to winning basketball in a vacuum. Like his older brother Lonzo, LaMelo might project best as an above-average supporting player, rather than as a star who can prop up a successful team by way of his own ability. If we’re comparing the two, LaMelo is a much more scoring-oriented guard, with a natural level of comfort attacking off the dribble and playing in tight spaces that his brother still lacks on some level.

3. James Wiseman, C, Memphis

Height: 7’1” | Weight: 240 | Age: 18 | Freshman

Spoiler:

Wiseman enters the season with a relatively defined case as the No. 1 pick, but also with a lot to prove. He essentially went rail to rail as the top-ranked prospect in his high school class, with obvious upside tied to his sheer size, body type, and explosiveness off the floor. There’s no question Wiseman fits in the NBA athletically, and he’s added an impressive amount of muscle over the past year. The elite physical component (he boasts a 7’4.5” measured wingspan and stands 6’11” barefoot) makes him the rare center potentially worth an early-draft investment, particularly given the associated financial commitment. Still, he’ll have to translate those tools into production, and the Tigers will benefit from a rather soft schedule.

Defensively, Wiseman should eventually be impactful, with solid shot-blocking instincts and the ability to cover distance quickly both on the ground and in the air. That alone will earn him meaningful NBA minutes in due time. He could be more Myles Turner than Deandre Ayton. But his offensive skill set is still a work in progress, and his game remains rather left-hand dominant. He tends to play more of a finesse style and fall back on shooting jumpers rather than bang on the interior. While Wiseman isn’t the first blue-chip center to enter college with that type of problem, he must prove he can consistently be a threat to justify many of the shots he takes. It’s also noteworthy that NBA teams continue to question his occasionally dispassionate approach. All that being said, a productive, efficient season can go a long way.

[Shoe]

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Alright I'm doing the 180 and now in for RJ. Mechanics on jumper are smooth and quick, maybe a little flat.

[Ruzious]

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Alright I'm doing the 180 and now in for RJ. Mechanics on jumper are smooth and quick, maybe a little flat.

He's a talented player, but he's a no-conscious gunner and inefficient offensive player - at least in the Nike and Under Armour tournaments - very low percentage shooter while averaging 22 shots a game (!) and very high turnover rates. But he can score and defend from the point and rack up assists. He's like a poor man's John Wall.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Shoe]

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Alright I'm doing the 180 and now in for RJ. Mechanics on jumper are smooth and quick, maybe a little flat.

He's a talented player, but he's a no-conscious gunner and inefficient offensive player - at least in the Nike and Under Armour tournaments - very low percentage shooter while averaging 22 shots a game (!) and very high turnover rates. But he can score and defend from the point and rack up assists. He's like a poor man's John Wall.

Does not sound promising. Is Maxey a #1 pick in the new NBA? Deep range, slasher, suboptimal height but fits with Wall and Beal.

I think Lamelo may be completely off the Wizards big board. I could see the owner telling the front office he doesn't want Lavar in the building.

[Ruzious]

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Alright I'm doing the 180 and now in for RJ. Mechanics on jumper are smooth and quick, maybe a little flat.

He's a talented player, but he's a no-conscious gunner and inefficient offensive player - at least in the Nike and Under Armour tournaments - very low percentage shooter while averaging 22 shots a game (!) and very high turnover rates. But he can score and defend from the point and rack up assists. He's like a poor man's John Wall.

Does not sound promising. Is Maxey a #1 pick in the new NBA? Deep range, slasher, suboptimal height but fits with Wall and Beal.

Wow, does Massey have deep range, and does he like to prove it - he's fun to watch. But I like the guy you brought up earlier - Killian Hayes - more even though he still has to prove he can be a good 3 point shooter. He's not as explosive as Maxey and won't make as many highlight plays, but he's got so many things going for him - size, smarts, instincts, athleticism, skills, very young with pro experience. He's basically what people were hoping Dante Exxum would become. DX has him going 18th - seems crazy to me. There's going to be a lot of point guards in this draft, but Hayes has to be a top 10 pick, imo.

[Shoe]

Wow, does Massey have deep range, and does he like to prove it - he's fun to watch. But I like the guy you brought up earlier - Killian Hayes - more even though he still has to prove he can be a good 3 point shooter. He's not as explosive as Maxey and won't make as many highlight plays, but he's got so many things going for him - size, smarts, instincts, athleticism, skills, very young with pro experience. He's basically what people were hoping Dante Exxum would become. DX has him going 18th - seems crazy to me. There's going to be a lot of point guards in this draft, but Hayes has to be a top 10 pick, imo.

For Hayes I like a lot of things about him and one of the DX guys on Twitter said he could be a top 10 pick. I think based on Tommy Sheppards background us Wizards fans should anticipate drafting international players like Spurs fans do, especially if it's true he was going to draft Doumbouya if Rui was gone.

[Jamaaliver]

9. Washington Wizards: Jaden McDaniels (Washington, SF/PF, Freshman)

The game looks easy for Jaden McDaniels, a smooth, 6'9" scorer with a wing's skill set.

But how well and often will he be able to execute it? Scouts could see both a high ceiling and low floor for McDaniels, whose highlights will say top five and lowlights will raise questions about his intensity, polish and ability to impact winning.

Tantalizing upside could be enough for a team such as the Washington Wizards to play the patient game with McDaniels, an obvious talent in need of NBA coaching.

He's a potential candidate to rise or take a tumble down the board by our next mock draft.

[Ruzious]

9. Washington Wizards: Jaden McDaniels (Washington, SF/PF, Freshman)

The game looks easy for Jaden McDaniels, a smooth, 6'9" scorer with a wing's skill set.

But how well and often will he be able to execute it? Scouts could see both a high ceiling and low floor for McDaniels, whose highlights will say top five and lowlights will raise questions about his intensity, polish and ability to impact winning.

Tantalizing upside could be enough for a team such as the Washington Wizards to play the patient game with McDaniels, an obvious talent in need of NBA coaching.

He's a potential candidate to rise or take a tumble down the board by our next mock draft.

He's like a clone of Jonathan Isaac. I'm not a fan - unless he develops a consistent 3 - just like I said about Isaac - who hasn't but has started out well this season. Too skinny for the 4 and not skilled enough for the 3.

Btw, wow Cole Anthony was impressive last night. Such a polished player in his first game.

[pcbothwel]

9. Washington Wizards: Jaden McDaniels (Washington, SF/PF, Freshman)

The game looks easy for Jaden McDaniels, a smooth, 6'9" scorer with a wing's skill set.

But how well and often will he be able to execute it? Scouts could see both a high ceiling and low floor for McDaniels, whose highlights will say top five and lowlights will raise questions about his intensity, polish and ability to impact winning.

Tantalizing upside could be enough for a team such as the Washington Wizards to play the patient game with McDaniels, an obvious talent in need of NBA coaching.

He's a potential candidate to rise or take a tumble down the board by our next mock draft.

He's like a clone of Jonathan Isaac. I'm not a fan - unless he develops a consistent 3 - just like I said about Isaac - who hasn't but has started out well this season. Too skinny for the 4 and not skilled enough for the 3.

Btw, wow Cole Anthony was impressive last night. Such a polished player in his first game.

Cole is a STAR... I would take him over LaMelo every day and twice on Sunday. His ability to shoot from deep with quickness and balance while also utilizing floaters and angles off the glass if Curry/Kyrie like. Look at the way he changes pace, the velocity and accuracy of his passes, his positioning/hustle to get rebounds.

I see scoring/shooting, rebounding, passing, High IQ.... You get this kid next to Wall/Beal and growing with Rui/Brown/Bryant... good god...

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Side Note... Isaac just turned 22 a couple weeks ago and looks like a DPOY candidate. He just shut down Porzingis last night and put up a line of:
13 points
10 rebounds
5 assists
6 blocks
4 steals

[Ruzious]

Spoiler:

He's like a clone of Jonathan Isaac. I'm not a fan - unless he develops a consistent 3 - just like I said about Isaac - who hasn't but has started out well this season. Too skinny for the 4 and not skilled enough for the 3.

Btw, wow Cole Anthony was impressive last night. Such a polished player in his first game.

Cole is a STAR... I would take him over LaMelo every day and twice on Sunday. His ability to shoot from deep with quickness and balance while also utilizing floaters and angles off the glass if Curry/Kyrie like. Look at the way he changes pace, the velocity and accuracy of his passes, his positioning/hustle to get rebounds.

I see scoring/shooting, rebounding, passing, High IQ.... You get this kid next to Wall/Beal and growing with Rui/Brown/Bryant... good god...

Watch on YouTube

Side Note... Isaac just turned 22 a couple weeks ago and looks like a DPOY candidate. He just shut down Porzingis last night and put up a line of:
13 points
10 rebounds
5 assists
6 blocks
4 steals

I saw Isaac's got 3 blocks a game, but shutting down Porz doesn't impress me. Porz is a great talent - but not a great NBA player. Porz looked terrible against the Lakers on the tv game a few days ago.

The one thing I was afraid about Cole was if he was going to look like Trey Burke - who was similar sized and a helluva player at Michigan. Cole is definitely not an above the rim player, but he looks like a ridiculously good shooter with great range - which makes the rest of his game better and the rest of his team better. I don't know how good he'll be defensively, but it looked like he at least puts in the effort - he even looked like the captain of their defense. Right after every shot he made, he didn't celebrate - he was getting him and his teammates in position to play defense - winner.

[prime1time]

He's like a clone of Jonathan Isaac. I'm not a fan - unless he develops a consistent 3 - just like I said about Isaac - who hasn't but has started out well this season. Too skinny for the 4 and not skilled enough for the 3.

Btw, wow Cole Anthony was impressive last night. Such a polished player in his first game.

Cole is a STAR... I would take him over LaMelo every day and twice on Sunday. His ability to shoot from deep with quickness and balance while also utilizing floaters and angles off the glass if Curry/Kyrie like. Look at the way he changes pace, the velocity and accuracy of his passes, his positioning/hustle to get rebounds.

I see scoring/shooting, rebounding, passing, High IQ.... You get this kid next to Wall/Beal and growing with Rui/Brown/Bryant... good god...

Watch on YouTube

Side Note... Isaac just turned 22 a couple weeks ago and looks like a DPOY candidate. He just shut down Porzingis last night and put up a line of:
13 points
10 rebounds
5 assists
6 blocks
4 steals

Still early, for me to decide. But the jumper is the real deal with Cole. He knocked down ft's at 87% in high school if I'm not mistaken. But I'm not ready to lock in Cole Anthony yet. Not every small guard who puts up big numbers can be Trae Young. Look at Darius Garland. Not to mention that Cole will be a guaranteed minus defensively. I like Cole but this process is just getting started. But it seems to me that a top 4 or 5 pick pretty much locks you in to getting a solid building piece.

[pcbothwel]

^^^ Disagree. Being a "Minus" defensively as a PG is all relative. His IQ is tremendous and I think he can very much be a Steph-like defender that wins on Grit and IQ.

Trae and Garland are built like toddlers. Cole is built like Lillard/Kyrie/Bledsoe at About 6'2-6'3, 190 lbs as a 19 y/o. I think he will be a Dame like offensive player, and a slightly better defender.

All-NBA Guard ceiling with VERY high floor due to his shot, build, and IQ.

[nate33]

^^^ Disagree. Being a "Minus" defensively as a PG is all relative. His IQ is tremendous and I think he can very much be a Steph-like defender that wins on Grit and IQ.

Trae and Garland are built like toddlers. Cole is built like Lillard/Kyrie/Bledsoe at About 6'2-6'3, 190 lbs as a 19 y/o. I think he will be a Dame like offensive player, and a slightly better defender.

All-NBA Guard ceiling with VERY high floor due to his shot, build, and IQ.

I think this is a good point about Anthony's build. Being short isn't a guarantee of being a bad defender - or rather, you can make up for a lack of height if you're sufficiently strong and savvy. Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul are good defenders despite their lack of stature. Cole Anthony appears to have the frame to develop a Kyle Lowry type of immovable base that makes him difficult to post up.

I don't know if that means he'll be a decent defender, but it's possible. It's literally not possible for someone like Trae Young or Darius Garland to be an average or better defender. They're just too small and weak.

[Shoe]

Cole is a STAR... I would take him over LaMelo every day and twice on Sunday. His ability to shoot from deep with quickness and balance while also utilizing floaters and angles off the glass if Curry/Kyrie like. Look at the way he changes pace, the velocity and accuracy of his passes, his positioning/hustle to get rebounds.

I see scoring/shooting, rebounding, passing, High IQ.... You get this kid next to Wall/Beal and growing with Rui/Brown/Bryant... good god...

Watch on YouTube

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OK Cole is my new favorite prospect. Pair him with Troy and watch our rebounds go up.
Cole/Beal/Troy/Rui

1. Cole
2. Edwards
3. Maxey
If we trade down from Wiseman
4. Hayes + Avdija

[Ruzious]

OK Cole is my new favorite prospect. Pair him with Troy and watch our rebounds go up.
Cole/Beal/Troy/Rui

1. Cole
2. Edwards
3. Maxey
If we trade down from Wiseman
4. Hayes + Avdija

Man, if we had Jemerrio Jones teamed with Cole and Troy, we'd be fine with Bertan's lack of rebounding.

[nate33]

I don't understand why Cole Anthony wore glasses at the start of the game but not later in the game. I would think glasses would severely limit his peripheral vision. Get some contacts, dude.

Overall, I really like the idea of Anthony on the Wizards. Mostly because I'm hoping they can move John Wall and complete the reload around Beal and the youngsters.

[Ruzious]

^^^ Disagree. Being a "Minus" defensively as a PG is all relative. His IQ is tremendous and I think he can very much be a Steph-like defender that wins on Grit and IQ.

Trae and Garland are built like toddlers. Cole is built like Lillard/Kyrie/Bledsoe at About 6'2-6'3, 190 lbs as a 19 y/o. I think he will be a Dame like offensive player, and a slightly better defender.

All-NBA Guard ceiling with VERY high floor due to his shot, build, and IQ.

Bledsoe's short but massive - 214 lbs.

The heights below are without shoes - so add an inch for traditional measurements. And don't ask me how Ilyasova lost 2 inches. If he loses another 2 inches next year, there could be a problem.

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[Shoe]

Cole Anthony with another double double 20 points & 10 rebounds. Meanwhile James Wiseman is a physical specimen paint protector - 17/9 with 5 blocks and a ton of altered shots. Would be the perfect front court mate for Rui. If the Wizards could grab one of these two that's a perfect quick tank.