2020 NBA Draft prospects

[Dewey]

Okungwu (PF) ... position of need ... rebounding , help defense, understands pick-n-roll game on both ends.

Edwards (SG) ... physically ready, can finish at the basket, nice shot, capable defender

Avdija (SF) ... just a lot of good basketball Skills and instincts.

DLo* ... JMac
Edwards ... Beasley, Okogie, Martin, Nowell, Evans
Avdija ... Culver, Layman, Johnson, Hernangomez, Vanderbilt
Okungwu ... Spellman
KAT* ... Reid

When you look at putting a roster together, we sorta have Wing (SG and SF) by committee ... However that PF gap stands out. IMO it makes a case for Okungwu having a big impact in terms of need, depth, and roster balance.

What do you expect? When you put half the PFs (Johnson, Hernangomez and Vanderbilt) at the 3...yeah, no duh there'll be a hole at the 4.

That’s how they are listed - clown ... if you can’t look past that don’t waste my time replying

[KGdaBom]

My best guesses:

Wiseman: Bigger Chris Bosh / Hassan Whiteside or Javale McGee type
Edwards: Victor Oladipo / Dion Waiters
Ball: 6'7" version of Ben Simmons (or Rubio) with slightly better shot (this one was hard) / Rubio without any defense
Toppin: John Collins / maybe Marquese Chriss with a slightly better shot?
Avdija: Gordon Hayward or prime Hedo Turkoglu / Dario Saric type

The Ball one is hard. He has Anfernee Hardaway's size/handle and is a better passer but doesn't have close to Hardaway's athleticism or scoring ability.

Ouch. The Dion Waiters comp. Brutal.
Hedu is pretty good, but probably light on the creating shots skill.
I thought Bosh was a little too ambitious. Nope I don't see either of those for Toppin.
Rubio was interesting on both sides of the equation.

My comp is D Wade.

Jinx. I already did that one a page or two ago.

[Baseline81]

'Value retention' is a big thing for me with this pick, and I'm actually not so sure if Wiseman won't retain a higher level of value simply for a meshing issue.

Is Wiseman demonstrates that he's a positive defender and rebounder who simply lacks the 3 point range and that we're struggling to integrate into our 1-3-1 system (assuming we don't deviate), will he honestly lose that much value than, say, Ball who displays an inability to defend and shoot the 3 or Edwards who turns out to be a chucky wing with motivation issues?

Now obviously I've gone with the pretty negative outlooks for Ball/Edwards there but I do think that if Wiseman turns out to at least be a positive rebounder and defender that he'd retain the most value out of three if things went pear shaped. Interested to hear the thoughts of others on this.

Even if Wiseman produces what you said, the problem is the modern NBA has shifted. It's now a guard- and wing-driven league. When you have teams play with two or even three PG, as OKC is doing in the playoffs, that opens the trade market for PG. Whereas, there can really only be one center at a time on the court.

Additionally, let's say Edwards is the "chucky wing," I recall Wiggins maintaining his value for a couple of seasons being just that. Other franchises view the Wolves as inept and would likely believe a player from us can be developed differently.

[KGdaBom]

'Value retention' is a big thing for me with this pick, and I'm actually not so sure if Wiseman won't retain a higher level of value simply for a meshing issue.

Is Wiseman demonstrates that he's a positive defender and rebounder who simply lacks the 3 point range and that we're struggling to integrate into our 1-3-1 system (assuming we don't deviate), will he honestly lose that much value than, say, Ball who displays an inability to defend and shoot the 3 or Edwards who turns out to be a chucky wing with motivation issues?

Now obviously I've gone with the pretty negative outlooks for Ball/Edwards there but I do think that if Wiseman turns out to at least be a positive rebounder and defender that he'd retain the most value out of three if things went pear shaped. Interested to hear the thoughts of others on this.

Even if Wiseman produces what you said, the problem is the modern NBA has shifted. It's now a guard- and wing-driven league. When you have teams play with two or even three PG, as OKC is doing in the playoffs, that opens the trade market for PG. Whereas, there can really only be one center at a time on the court.

Additionally, let's say Edwards is the "chucky wing," I recall Wiggins maintaining his value for a couple of seasons being just that. Other franchises view the Wolves as inept and would likely believe a player from us can be developed differently.

This is a great question. I personally think if a player is great he's great and if he sucks he sucks. The position doesn't matter. I've come around on the possibility however slim that Edwards could be good. I'm not quite there on Ball yet, but part of that is I just hate the Ball family thing. It's not LaMelo's fault he was born into that family though. There can be a center and a big PF on the court at the same time if both of them are talented. Let's say out of the blue KAT and Wiseman for example. Go Wolves.

I really am going to try to keep my negativism about Edwards and Ball in check, but I'm sure some of it will slip out. I'm expecting Edwards to be joining our team on October 16th. At that point I will talk myself into every excuse for his lack of efficiency and defense and expect nothing less than Dwyane Wade 2.0. once our coaches work with him and develop him.

[KGdaBom]

Okungwu (PF) ... position of need ... rebounding , help defense, understands pick-n-roll game on both ends.

Edwards (SG) ... physically ready, can finish at the basket, nice shot, capable defender

Avdija (SF) ... just a lot of good basketball Skills and instincts.

DLo* ... JMac
Edwards ... Beasley, Okogie, Martin, Nowell, Evans
Avdija ... Culver, Layman, Johnson, Hernangomez, Vanderbilt
Okungwu ... Spellman
KAT* ... Reid

When you look at putting a roster together, we sorta have Wing (SG and SF) by committee ... However that PF gap stands out. IMO it makes a case for Okungwu having a big impact in terms of need, depth, and roster balance.

Excellent analysis, but Layman, Johnson, Hernangomez, Vanderbilt and Reid can all be considered PF. That doesn't change my mind one bit though. PF is a huge need based on all of those guys being OK at best. If we consider Reid a PF that Leaves KAT as the only Center on the team making that position a need as well.

[GopherIt!]

A wiseman said to draft wiseman.

“The Twin Towers in the Twin Cities.”

[GopherIt!]

reading my post, it looks kinda Calinksy. lol

[Merc_Porto]

Only the Wolves to get the 1st overall pick in a weak draft. (Or in a draft without a clear no.1 to take it)
Just take Edwards or Wiseman i guess.

The alternative is go for Beal, no chance of getting Booker.
Anyways, we don´t have salaries to send it back to Washington.

[theGreatRC]

"When you watch a young prospect, it’s important to remember you’re not watching anything close to a finished product. The flashes matter more than the mundane in between. Anyone can be coached to play the in-between moments, but only a select few can have those flashes."

This is a guards league and he'll be 19 for the WHOLE season (depending on when the season starts next year)..he plays with energy, has a BEAUTIFUL jumper, chiseled NBA body (dude is 225 at 19 you kidding me...Jimmys is 230lbs for example and is considered to have one of the best strong NBA bodies)

This is a guards league; either take Edwards #1 or trade the pick for a star SG/SF

[King Malta]

'Value retention' is a big thing for me with this pick, and I'm actually not so sure if Wiseman won't retain a higher level of value simply for a meshing issue.

Is Wiseman demonstrates that he's a positive defender and rebounder who simply lacks the 3 point range and that we're struggling to integrate into our 1-3-1 system (assuming we don't deviate), will he honestly lose that much value than, say, Ball who displays an inability to defend and shoot the 3 or Edwards who turns out to be a chucky wing with motivation issues?

Now obviously I've gone with the pretty negative outlooks for Ball/Edwards there but I do think that if Wiseman turns out to at least be a positive rebounder and defender that he'd retain the most value out of three if things went pear shaped. Interested to hear the thoughts of others on this.

Even if Wiseman produces what you said, the problem is the modern NBA has shifted. It's now a guard- and wing-driven league. When you have teams play with two or even three PG, as OKC is doing in the playoffs, that opens the trade market for PG. Whereas, there can really only be one center at a time on the court.

Additionally, let's say Edwards is the "chucky wing," I recall Wiggins maintaining his value for a couple of seasons being just that. Other franchises view the Wolves as inept and would likely believe a player from us can be developed differently.

Fair point, but bigs who can defend and aren't offensive black holes are always going to have a market in my opinion, moreso than an inefficient wing/guard who doesn't defend. We heard rumours about Wiggins having value but we never really saw that eventuate to be fair, outside of rumours that Chicago initially wanted him in the Butler trade.

I think your overall point about it being a guard/wing driven league is true, but I still feel like most teams value defensive anchors at the 5 spot highly, particularly if they offer positive attributes in other areas (rebounding, inside scoring, floor stretching, playmaking etc).

[King Malta]

Only the Wolves to get the 1st overall pick in a weak draft. (Or in a draft without a clear no.1 to take it)
Just take Edwards or Wiseman i guess.

The alternative is go for Beal, no chance of getting Booker.
Anyways, we don´t have salaries to send it back to Washington.

Welcome back merc!

Where have you been?

[Mattya]

His floor is WAY lower than Rudy Gobert.

His floOr is probably McGee just not as many Shaqtin a fool moments and a jumper a team could potentially develop.

I disagree. He’s way better than McGee.

Right McGee with a jumper and less boneheaded plays would be a way better player than actual McGee. That for a floor is very high.

[Jedzz]

"When you watch a young prospect, it’s important to remember you’re not watching anything close to a finished product. The flashes matter more than the mundane in between. Anyone can be coached to play the in-between moments, but only a select few can have those flashes."

This is a guards league and he'll be 19 for the WHOLE season (depending on when the season starts next year)..he plays with energy, has a BEAUTIFUL jumper, chiseled NBA body (dude is 225 at 19 you kidding me...Jimmys is 230lbs for example and is considered to have one of the best strong NBA bodies)

This is a guards league; either take Edwards #1 or trade the pick for a star SG/SF

But Jimmy Butler is 6-7 230. I have slightly different thinking about these two size wise. Maybe he's more a Harden sized dude which obviously still fits the size narrative (except for proven 3pt shooting).

NBADraft.net
6'4 combo guard with elite level athleticism
NBA.com
Height/Weight: 6-3 / 235 lbs Position: SG
Tankathon
Height: 6'5" (6'9" wingspan) Weight: 225 lbs Position: Shooting Guard

So he's a point or shooting guard size at the moment depending on who you believe here. Chance he gets taller? Maybe but he seems more grown up already so this might by his pinnacle size.

[Jedzz]

How they shot 3s in college: (noted taller player height in bold)

J. Harden - (.376 avg) .407 1yr and .356 the next yr.
Steph Curry - (.412 avg) 3 yrs
Westbrook - (.356 avg) .409 1yr and a .338 the next yr.
Thompson - (.390 avg) 3 yrs, 1yr over .400 6'6 player
SGAlexander - (.404 ) 1 yr
VanVleet - (.386 avg) 4yrs, .408,.418, .357,.381
DeRozan - (.167) 1 yr 6'7 player
B.Hield - (.390 avg) 4 yrs, 1yr at .456
B. Beal - ( .339) 3pt shooter 1yr
Dinwiddie - (.388avg) 3 yrs, with 2yrs over .400
M. Smart - (.295 avg) 2 yrs
C. Levert - (.401 avg) 4 yrs, with 3 yrs over .400 6'7 player
Z. LaVine - (.375) 1yr
J. Holiday - (.307) 1yr
Jaylen Brown - (.294) 1yr 6'7 player
Middleton - (.321 avg) 3 yrs, 6'7 player
V. Oladipo - (.338 avg) 3 yrs, 1 yr over .400
D. Mitchell - (.329 avg) 2 yrs
McCollum - (.337 avg) 4 yrs, 1 yr at .516 @ 5att/g
Booker - (.411) 1 yr
J. Butler - (.383) 3 yrs, 1 yr at .500 6'7 player

[Rookie-Mistake]

Thank you for collating this.

So he is in the Jaylen Brown Marcus Smart territory... What does everyone think?

How they shot 3s in college: (noted taller player height in bold)

J. Harden - (.376 avg) .407 1yr and .356 the next yr.
Steph Curry - (.412 avg) 3 yrs
Westbrook - (.356 avg) .409 1yr and a .338 the next yr.
Thompson - (.390 avg) 3 yrs, 1yr over .400 6'6 player
SGAlexander - (.404 ) 1 yr
VanVleet - (.386 avg) 4yrs, .408,.418, .357,.381
DeRozan - (.167) 1 yr 6'7 player
B.Hield - (.390 avg) 4 yrs, 1yr at .456
B. Beal - ( .339) 3pt shooter 1yr
Dinwiddie - (.388avg) 3 yrs, with 2yrs over .400
M. Smart - (.295 avg) 2 yrs
C. Levert - (.401 avg) 4 yrs, with 3 yrs over .400 6'7 player
Z. LaVine - (.375) 1yr
J. Holiday - (.307) 1yr
Jaylen Brown - (.294) 1yr 6'7 player
Middleton - (.321 avg) 3 yrs, 6'7 player
V. Oladipo - (.338 avg) 3 yrs, 1 yr over .400
D. Mitchell - (.329 avg) 2 yrs
McCollum - (.337 avg) 4 yrs, 1 yr at .516 @ 5att/g
Booker - (.411) 1 yr
J. Butler - (.383) 3 yrs, 1 yr at .500 6'7 player

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using RealGM mobile app

[Neeva]

Thank you for collating this.

So he is in the Jaylen Brown Marcus Smart territory... What does everyone think?

How they shot 3s in college: (noted taller player height in bold)

J. Harden - (.376 avg) .407 1yr and .356 the next yr.
Steph Curry - (.412 avg) 3 yrs
Westbrook - (.356 avg) .409 1yr and a .338 the next yr.
Thompson - (.390 avg) 3 yrs, 1yr over .400 6'6 player
SGAlexander - (.404 ) 1 yr
VanVleet - (.386 avg) 4yrs, .408,.418, .357,.381
DeRozan - (.167) 1 yr 6'7 player
B.Hield - (.390 avg) 4 yrs, 1yr at .456
B. Beal - ( .339) 3pt shooter 1yr
Dinwiddie - (.388avg) 3 yrs, with 2yrs over .400
M. Smart - (.295 avg) 2 yrs
C. Levert - (.401 avg) 4 yrs, with 3 yrs over .400 6'7 player
Z. LaVine - (.375) 1yr
J. Holiday - (.307) 1yr
Jaylen Brown - (.294) 1yr 6'7 player
Middleton - (.321 avg) 3 yrs, 6'7 player
V. Oladipo - (.338 avg) 3 yrs, 1 yr over .400
D. Mitchell - (.329 avg) 2 yrs
McCollum - (.337 avg) 4 yrs, 1 yr at .516 @ 5att/g
Booker - (.411) 1 yr
J. Butler - (.383) 3 yrs, 1 yr at .500 6'7 player

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using RealGM mobile app

I don’t want the Hornets to snap Edwards up and he becomes a multiple all star for them.

Still hoping Rosas can pull off getting Edwards and the 2021 wolves pick getting lotto protected , maybe get the 2022 pick lotto protected also if it does not covey next year or get the second round pick back as well.

[shangrila]

Okungwu (PF) ... position of need ... rebounding , help defense, understands pick-n-roll game on both ends.

Edwards (SG) ... physically ready, can finish at the basket, nice shot, capable defender

Avdija (SF) ... just a lot of good basketball Skills and instincts.

DLo* ... JMac
Edwards ... Beasley, Okogie, Martin, Nowell, Evans
Avdija ... Culver, Layman, Johnson, Hernangomez, Vanderbilt
Okungwu ... Spellman
KAT* ... Reid

When you look at putting a roster together, we sorta have Wing (SG and SF) by committee ... However that PF gap stands out. IMO it makes a case for Okungwu having a big impact in terms of need, depth, and roster balance.

What do you expect? When you put half the PFs (Johnson, Hernangomez and Vanderbilt) at the 3...yeah, no duh there'll be a hole at the 4.

That’s how they are listed - clown ... if you can’t look past that don’t waste my time replying

Listed by who? You?

I mean, why stop there? If D'Angelo is a SG we've got a massive hole at PG. OH NOES! We can fix your PF hole by moving KAT to his natural PF spot...but then, my god, now there's a hole at C! Sweet Jesus!

Seriously though, if you actually think our only PF is Omari Spellman then, yeah, no worries you won't hear from me again.

[shangrila]

Thank you for collating this.

So he is in the Jaylen Brown Marcus Smart territory... What does everyone think?

How they shot 3s in college: (noted taller player height in bold)

J. Harden - (.376 avg) .407 1yr and .356 the next yr.
Steph Curry - (.412 avg) 3 yrs
Westbrook - (.356 avg) .409 1yr and a .338 the next yr.
Thompson - (.390 avg) 3 yrs, 1yr over .400 6'6 player
SGAlexander - (.404 ) 1 yr
VanVleet - (.386 avg) 4yrs, .408,.418, .357,.381
DeRozan - (.167) 1 yr 6'7 player
B.Hield - (.390 avg) 4 yrs, 1yr at .456
B. Beal - ( .339) 3pt shooter 1yr
Dinwiddie - (.388avg) 3 yrs, with 2yrs over .400
M. Smart - (.295 avg) 2 yrs
C. Levert - (.401 avg) 4 yrs, with 3 yrs over .400 6'7 player
Z. LaVine - (.375) 1yr
J. Holiday - (.307) 1yr
Jaylen Brown - (.294) 1yr 6'7 player
Middleton - (.321 avg) 3 yrs, 6'7 player
V. Oladipo - (.338 avg) 3 yrs, 1 yr over .400
D. Mitchell - (.329 avg) 2 yrs
McCollum - (.337 avg) 4 yrs, 1 yr at .516 @ 5att/g
Booker - (.411) 1 yr
J. Butler - (.383) 3 yrs, 1 yr at .500 6'7 player

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using RealGM mobile app

I'd like to see a breakdown of how many contested and/or pull up 3s Edwards took, his %s there and then how that compares to his peers.

I just struggle to see how he's as bad a shooter as his %s would indicate. It's similar to Maxey; they've got good forms, good FT%s and both have decent projected 3pt%s (Maxey 35%, Edwards 37%).

[Jedzz]

How they shot 3s in college/int. Taller players denoted height in bold

K. Hayes (.274) 3 yr as high as 4.1 attempts/g
C. Anthony (.348 1yr 6.4 attempts/g
T. Maxey (.292) 1yr 3.6 attempts/g
T.Maledon (.346) 3yr as high as 2.6 attempts/g
Kira Lewis (.362) 2 yr as high as 4.9 attempts/g
Tre Jones (.313) 2 yr as high as 3.7 attempts/g
N Mannion (.327) 1 yr as high as 5.1 attempts/g
D Dotson (.332) 2 yr as high as 4.1 attempts/g
A Edwards (.294) 1 yr 7.7 attempts/g 6'5 player
Haliburton (.416 avg) 2yr as high as 5.6 attempts/g 6'5 player <------------
D Vassell (.417) 2 yr as high as 3.5 attempts/g 6'6 player <-------
C Stanley (.360) 1yr 3 attempts/g 6'6 player
J Green (.361) 1 yr 2.8 attempts/g 6'6 player
J Ramsey (.426) 1yr as high as 5.2 attempts/g <----------------
D Bane (.433) 4yr as high as 6.5 attempts/g 6'6 player <-------------------------
RJ Hampton (.295) 1yr 2.9 attempts/g
L. Ball (.250) 1yr 6.7 attempts/g 6'7 claimed player

https://www.sports-reference.com

[Jedzz]

Thank you for collating this.

So he is in the Jaylen Brown Marcus Smart territory... What does everyone think?

How they shot 3s in college: (noted taller player height in bold)

J. Harden - (.376 avg) .407 1yr and .356 the next yr.
Steph Curry - (.412 avg) 3 yrs
Westbrook - (.356 avg) .409 1yr and a .338 the next yr.
Thompson - (.390 avg) 3 yrs, 1yr over .400 6'6 player
SGAlexander - (.404 ) 1 yr
VanVleet - (.386 avg) 4yrs, .408,.418, .357,.381
DeRozan - (.167) 1 yr 6'7 player
B.Hield - (.390 avg) 4 yrs, 1yr at .456
B. Beal - ( .339) 3pt shooter 1yr
Dinwiddie - (.388avg) 3 yrs, with 2yrs over .400
M. Smart - (.295 avg) 2 yrs
C. Levert - (.401 avg) 4 yrs, with 3 yrs over .400 6'7 player
Z. LaVine - (.375) 1yr
J. Holiday - (.307) 1yr
Jaylen Brown - (.294) 1yr 6'7 player
Middleton - (.321 avg) 3 yrs, 6'7 player
V. Oladipo - (.338 avg) 3 yrs, 1 yr over .400
D. Mitchell - (.329 avg) 2 yrs
McCollum - (.337 avg) 4 yrs, 1 yr at .516 @ 5att/g
Booker - (.411) 1 yr
J. Butler - (.383) 3 yrs, 1 yr at .500 6'7 player

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using RealGM mobile app

I'd like to see a breakdown of how many contested and/or pull up 3s Edwards took, his %s there and then how that compares to his peers.

I just struggle to see how he's as bad a shooter as his %s would indicate. It's similar to Maxey; they've got good forms, good FT%s and both have decent projected 3pt%s (Maxey 35%, Edwards 37%).

Projected %? Maxey and Edwards are both 29% in college that I see. Edwards had comparatively high attempts to everyone. Maxey does not. You struggle to see how? The numbers are just what they did in college. Maybe the hype just got to you on some of these players? Maybe you have a point that some take more contested shots and it impacts their percentage. But others might say that's a sign a player has better bbiq in the moment and picks their shots better or can create their own space better. It's hard to say. Westbrook is a star player and yet people complain about his percentage in individual games all the time. He'll toss them up whenever and miss them even if he's wide open sometimes. But he can hit plenty as well. More streaky. See his 34% to 41% difference in two college seasons.

These are just what these current NBA players were doing in college for perspective. Would be cool to see a breakdown of contested shots if you want to find that info. But it also probably matters what competition they were against and other variables.

I also posted the guard/combo/shooting/and taller wings of this draft. Some interesting player numbers in there.