Mock Draft (with no trades) from John Hollinger based on what he's hearing:
https://theathletic.com/2188482/2020/11/10/2020-nba-mock-draft-whos-going-where-in-the-first-round/One notable thing he pointed out before getting into the picks:
- PGs and Cs will slide in the draft. He specifically mentions that maybe half of the following group of PGs will end up going in the first round: Kira Lewis, Tyrell Terry, Cole Anthony, Malachi Flynn, Devon Dotson, Payton Pritchard, Tre Jones and Cassius Winston. He specifically left off Nico Mannion because it sounds like his interviews with teams have been a disaster. Regarding the centers, he says "Precious Achiuwa, Jalen Smith, Zeke Nnaji, Isaiah Stewart, Xavier Tillman, Udoka Azubuike and Daniel Oturu all are mid-to-late first-round talents, in the eyes of at least some evaluators. I’m not sure more than three of them actually go in the first round."
1. LaMelo Ball - Notes that if Minnesota does trade down to, say, #3, they could take Tyrese Haliburton over Anthony Edwards.
2. James Wiseman
3. Anthony Edwards - Notes that seemingly every team is nervous about Edwards/not excited to be the team that ends up with him. Also mentions Obi Toppin as a possibility here.
4. Tyrese Haliburton - The flipside of Edwards is that seemingly every team likes Haliburton.
5. Obi Toppin - Mentions that the only two names he's heard linked to Cleveland are Toppin and Avdija. He mentions that if the pick is Toppin, he thinks Larry Nance might get moved (specifically to Boston).
6. Deni Avdija - Thinks they want Haliburton but settle for Avdija or Vassell.
7. Patrick Williams - Rumor is Detroit has promised or at least strongly indicated that he's their guy. Also mentions a possible trade between Detroit and Washington so that Washington can get Okongwu and Detroit get Williams + an asset.
8. Tyrese Maxey - Says you hear Killian Hayes linked to the Knicks a lot as well.
9. Onyeka Okongwu - He says Okongwu going top 9 is the easiest lock in the draft at this point because Washington is praying for him. If he's gone, he thinks Washington may trade with Boston for their 3 first round picks or if they must stay at 9, Isaac Okoro is the guy.
10. Killian Hayes - He says this pick is basically down to Hayes and Kira Lewis. He gives the edge to Hayes because he has enough size to play next to guys like Rubio, Payne, and Jevon Carter that Lewis doesn't have.
11. Isaac Okoro - Thinks the Spurs might be looking to move down, but thinks they'd be happy to have Okoro or Vassell.
12. Devin Vassell - Thinks this is the floor for Vassell.
13. Kira Lewis - Hasn't really heard anything about New Orleans so he just gave them BPA.
14. Saddiq Bey - Also mentions Aleksej Pokusevski if Boston keeps the pick and opts for a draft-and-stash
15. Aaron Nesmith - Rumors Orlando might take Jaden McDaniels here given their love of raw lengthy wings.
16. RJ Hampton - He mentions that there are some seemingly insane rumors with Portland right now; notably, taking Jay Scrubb.
17. Precious Achiuwa
18. Aleksej Pokusevski - It's believed that someone in the first round has promised Poku, which is why he shut everything down this year.
19. Tyrell Terry - Draftniks believe that Terry has jumped ahead of Cole Anthony. He's heard rumblings of McDaniels and Poku being targets for Brooklyn as well.
20. Jalen Smith - Basic idea is that Jalen replaces Olynyk. He's also heard Tyler Bey mentioned here.
21. Cole Anthony - Says this pick is widely available.
22. Theo Maledon - It's believed that Maledon has received a promise from someone. If not Denver, he thinks they go with a C.
23. Josh Green - Says there's a ton of noise that Green is the guy Utah wants, though they could opt for Desmond Bane instead.
24. Desmond Bane - Everyone is saying Bane will ultimately go higher than expected and Hollinger thinks this might be too low for him. Doesn't mention any other options for us but he thinks this is basically Bane's floor.
25. Jaden McDaniels - Basically just says this is the type of prospect OKC usually goes for.
26. Leandro Bolmaro - Says Robert Woodard is the type of guy Boston generally goes for, but he and everyone he's spoken to around the league don't view Woodard as a 1st round prospect.
27. Malachi Flynn - Says there's a lot of chatter that the Knicks want Flynn.
28. Isaiah Stewart - Says after Desmond Bane, Stewart has been the best interviewer in the draft class.
29. Zeke Nnaji - Says that Nnaji offers 3 point shooting from the C spot to space the floor for Giannis
but also for Siakam and Norman Powell.
30. Tyler Bey - Says the other guys he's heard could sneak into the 1st instead of Bey are Jordan Nwora, Daniel Oturu, Payton Pritchard, and Xavier Tillman.
