The NBA Draft is finally here and it’s time for our Final Mock Draft 3.0! The Mock Draft I’m compiling is based on what I’m hearing in conversations with NBA scouts and general managers and player agents. It’s not based on what I would do on draft night.
Normally, by the day of the draft, I’m pretty confident who the top pick in the draft will be as well as much of the Top 10. This year isn’t one of those years. Much like the 2013 NBA Draft, there is still an open question at the top and that uncertainty trickles down all the way through the draft.
This time I’ll also be expanding the mock to include the second round. My track record on getting second round prospects is pretty abmysmal by the way. Most teams don’t even really know what they are doing yet there — there’s just so much uncertainty on who will be on the board as we get deeper in the draft. But I’ll try my best …
11/18 11 AM EDT UPDATE 3.1: The Utah Jazz have traded the No 23 pick to the New York Knicks for the No. 27 and No. 38 picks in the 2020 NBA Draft. This Mock has been updated accordingly.
11/18 3:15 PM EDT UPDATE 3.2: The Magic have traded the 45th pick in the draft to the Milwaukee Bucks. We’ve updated the Mock.
11/18 5:45 PM EDT UPDATE 3.3: The Sixers have traded the No. 34 pick in the 2020 draft to the Thunder and a future first as part of a deal that sends Al Horford to OKC and Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson to the Sixers.
11/18 7:00 PM EDT UPDATE 3.4: The Rockets have traded the No. 16 pick to the Pistons. The Pistons will take on Trevor Ariza as part of the deal to give the Rockets some cap flexibility. We’ve also made a few changes in the lottery to reflect information we’ve received about the Cavs at No. 5, Hawks at No. 6, Pistons at No. 7, Knicks at No. 8, Suns at No. 10, Spurs at No. 11, and the Kings at No. 12.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards
Georgia
Freshman
Guard
Age: 19
I’m not sure what the Wolves are going to do here. Minnesota has done a good job of not really signaling their intentions — a smart move given that they are trying to move the pick and don’t want teams to deal with the Warriors or Hornets instead.
I’ve had LaMelo Ball at the top of the past few mocks on the assumption that he has the most trade value, even if he isn’t the best fit. But with time running out and it looking less likely that the Wolves aren’t going to find a deal, the consensus among the NBA execs is that they will select Edwards here. He’s the best fit of the top three — though far from a good one. He has upside worthy of the No. 1 selection, with elite athleticism, size and scoring ability. But his feel for the game is a major work in progress and for a team that has aspirations on the playoffs, he may not be able to help as much as people think he can.
2. Golden State Warriors
James Wiseman
Center
Freshman
Memphis
Age: 19
The Warriors are also trying hard to trade the pick. There isn’t really anyone in this draft that could step in and contribute the way the Warriors need the help. They have a two to three year window to win a championship and rookies often aren’t going to be much help.
Teams including the Bulls, Hawks, Knicks and Spurs have been rumored to be eyeing this pick. But it’s draft day and there still isn’t a deal.
So if the Warriors can’t find a trade partner, they may make a long-term play for a player like James Wiseman and start rebuilding for the future while still competing for a championship. And hopefully, he’ll be able to give you some blocks, lobs and rebounds.
One other sleeper worth looking at in Golden State: Israel’s Deni Avdija. There have been multiple teams that think he’s the guy the Warriors really want. The Warriors could move down a few spots to get him … the problem is they can’t move down too far with both the Bulls and Cavs looking at him at No. 4 and No. 5 respectively. Would the Warriors have the guts just to take him at 2?
3. Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball
Illawarra
Point Guard
Age: 19
There has been talk about Charlotte moving up to take James Wiseman or taking him at three if he’s still on the board.
But what if Ball is here? The Hornets could certainly use his court vision and flare … he would bring some sizzle to a team that really lack it. But how much he improves the win total in Charlotte, at least for year one, is a major question mark.
There has also been a lot of talk around the league about USC’s Onyeka Okongwu going here at three. He’s a fit. But Charlotte may be able to move down a few spots and get him a little later. There is significant upside and it’s not really that much of a reach if they want to stay at three.
4. Chicago Bulls
Patrick Williams
Florida State
Freshman
Forward
Age: 19
It’s been challenging to figure out the Bulls and going into the Wednesday, I keep getting mixed signals.
There’s a chance the Bulls could end up with LaMelo Ball in this scenario. And from what I can gather if he’s on the board, they’re interested, though not completely sold. Shoring up the culture in Chicago is a big concern and Ball’s fit there is questionable.
One late dark horse to the conversation is Florida State’s Patrick Williams. Many scouts in the NBA feel he has the most upside of any of the players left in the draft. The Bulls biggest need is on the wing and they feel like Williams can play there (some teams see him strictly as a four). Multiple sources around the league felt pretty confident in the last 24 hours that barring a trade, Williams would be their pick.
The Bulls have also really liked Haliburton through the process and he offers less risk than Williams, albeit with less reward. He’s been at this spot in previous mocks and could still be the guy. The Bulls backcourt is quite crowded, but no one on their roster has the long-term potential of Haliburton and he may be the best culture player in the draft.
For the past month, there has been significant buzz here about Israel’s Deni Avdija landing in Chicago because of new president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas role in drafting international players in Denver. But others close to Chicago continue to insist that’s all speculation.
Between Williams, Haliburton and Avdija? It’s just a gut but I’m giving the edge to Williams.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Obi Toppin
Dayton
Sophomore
Power Forward
Age: 22
Updated 11/18 in Mock 3.4: The Cavs are a weird team with two key veterans in the front court, two inconsistent young players in the backcourt and glaring hole at the wing. There is a lot of back and forth among sources between Avdija and Dayton’s Obi Toppin here of late.
Auburn’s Issac Okoro also has some fans in the front office, but it appears that it may be narrowing down to Avdija and Toppin.
Toppin is ready now. A better athlete and the better offensive player. But he’s not a great fit with Kevin Love and Larry Nance on the roster. Moving Love will be tough. Nance is easier to trade. But a tie breaker may go to fit. The Cavs need a wing and Avdija fits the profile. The upside is there. There are questions about the shot and defense. The floor for him is scarier than Toppin. But the ceiling might (I emphasize might) be higher.
Began hearing about an hour before the draft that the team was leaning Toppin, not Avdija, with one other mystery player in the mix.
6. Atlanta Hawks
Deni Avdija
Israel
Forward
Age: 19
Updated 11/18 in Mock 3.4: The Hawks are tough to peg. All signs point to them being in win now mode and looking to make a playoff push next year. If they can’t move the pick, it may come down to who can help them now.
It will be a tough choice for Atlanta if Deni Avdija and Tyrese Haliburton are both here at 6. I can’t get a read on which way they’d lean. Both bring some significant upside to the table for them.
With that said, if Avdija falls to them at 6, I think he’s the guy.
7. Detroit Pistons
Tyrese Haliburton
Iowa State
Sophomore
Guard
Age: 20
Updated 11/18 in Mock 3.4: The news leaking that the Pistons were in love with Patrick Williams may come back to haunt them, now that it seems the Bulls and the Hawks are also after him.
The Pistons have been active in trade talks to move up in the draft. Everyone in the league thinks that’s an attempt to land Ball. But maybe the Pistons already know that Williams is going higher than 7 and he’s the real target.
If Haliburton is still on the board here, he seems like an obvious choice for the Pistons — immediately providing stability in their backcourt. He’s No. 4 on our Big Board, so he’s a steal here at 7.
8. New York Knicks
Devin Vassell
Florida State
Sophomore
Wing
Age: 20
Updated 11/18 in Mock 3.4: Will the Knicks want to move up in the draft the asking price from teams in the Top 3 — Mitch Robinson, the No. 8 pick and either a future first rounder or RJ Barrett — is more than the Knicks are willing to pay.
They like LaMelo, but they don’t like him enough to give up three key assets to move up five spots in the draft.
We’ve had Obi Toppin here for the past few mocks and there was talk on Wednesday of the Knicks moving up a few spots to No. 5 to try to get him. If he’s off the board, Vassell might be the best option. He can guard multiple positions, shoots the ball well and has significant upside still.
9. Washington Wizards
Onyeka Okongwu
USC
Freshman
Forward/Center
Age: 19
The Wizards are one of the few teams that have been trying to move up in the draft. There have been various names attached to them, but the one I hear most consistently is Okongwu. They desperately need a versatile athlete in the front court. He’s a perfect fit here if he’s still on the board. If they can’t move up to get him and he doesn’t slide, things get a little tougher.
No one knows whether John Wall will ever be John Wall again. And even if he is, adding Hayes and his versatility to the backcourt would be a huge boon for the Wizards.
10. Phoenix Suns
Saddiq Bey
Villanova
Sophomore
Wing
Age: 21
Updated 11/18 in Mock 3.4: The Suns landed Chris Paul and Abdel Nader in a deal earlier this week in exchange for Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, and a 2022 first-round pick.
The question now is which way to do the Suns use their pick. Replacing Oubre may be their primary concern. Sources say the Suns would have serious interest in Vassell if he drops to them. If he’s off the board at No. 10, there is growing speculation around the league that the Suns will select the next best thing — Bey. He doesn’t have Vassell’s upside, but his ability to defend multiple positions and shoot the three are attractive.
They’ll also need to continue to groom a long-term replacement for CP3 who, at 35, isn’t going to continue to play at a high level much longer. Killian Hayes and Kira Lewis Jr. are both intriguing fits as well.
11. San Antonio Spurs
Isaac Okoro
Auburn
Freshman
Wing
Age: 19
Updated 11/18 in Mock 3.4: It’s rare to see Spurs trade and draft rumors. The club historically plays things very close to the vest. It’s rare that anything of value is going to leak out of San Antonio. So for know, I’m taking all the rumors that they are trying to move up in the draft, or down to take Tony Parker’s protege Theo Maledon with a grain of salt. Ditto the rumors that DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills are on the way out. Of course it could be true, but if there’s smoke I don’t trust this time of year, it’s Spurs smoke.
The Spurs should be feel pretty lucky if Okoro is still on the board here. His draft range has always been wide. The Cavs, Hawks and Suns are all potential destinations inside the Top 10. But given how this particular mock draft is shaking out, he could give the Spurs another high level defender who has drawn comps to Andre Iguodala.
12. Sacramento Kings
Killian Hayes
Ulm
Guard
Age: 19
Updated 11/18 in Mock 3.4: I’m having a hard time getting a read on Sacramento at the moment, and so is everyone else in the league. For now people are plugging in whoever their analytics model ranks the highest — but not every teams model agrees and it’s not a given that despite hiring GM Monte McNair, that this pick will be based solely on the numbers. Given what else is available for Sacramento, I think he’s worth the risk here.
Landing Hayes this low in the draft seems like a coup for Sacramento. His ability to play both backcourt positions and to compliment De’Aaron Fox seem like a great fit.
13. New Orleans Pelicans
Jalen Smith
Maryland
Sophomore
F/C
Age: 20
The Pelicans made a huge trade on Monday, sending Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee for Eric Bledsoe and George Hill. The Pelicans are unlikely to have long term plans for either guard, meaning that adding another guard to the team — someone like Kira Lewis or Aaron Nesmith could make a lot of sense. Villanova’s Saddiq Bey’s name has been thrown around a lot, but I have him going a few spots higher to the Spurs.
The Pelicans also need help in the middle. Jaxson Hayes is a work in progress and might not be an ideal fit next to Zion Williamson anyway. Smith’s draft stock has been rising throughout the past few months and cracking the lottery would be a small surprise. But when you think about his size, shooting ability and fit next to Zion in the front court, he feels like a good fit.
14. Boston Celtics (via Grizzlies)
Kira Lewis Jr
Alabama
Sophomore
PG
Age: 19
The Celtics have been trying to package all of their picks for a veteran (ideally) or to move up (if they can’t get a vet) but so far, they’ve been coming up empty. Lewis seems like a really good fit here. Yes, the Celtics already have one little point guard, but don’t expect them to be deterred from Lewis, who may be the fastest player, end to end, in the draft. He’s also a young sophomore, shot the ball well at Alabama and has a lot of analytics pointing in his favor. I think this might be a small steal for the Celtics if he’s still on the board. Precious Achiuwa, RJ Hampton and Tyrese Maxey are other names to watch here I’m told.
15. Orlando Magic
RJ Hampton
NZ Breakers
Guard
Age: 19
The Magic have been involved in all sorts of trade rumors — from packaging Aaron Gordon to move up in the draft, to using this pick to add another veteran.
I had Jaden McDaniels here in my last draft and I still think he’s a possibility. He’s a reach, but the Magic, led by John Hammond, aren’t afraid to reach. After Ball, Edwards, Wiseman, Williams and Hampton are off the board, I don’t think there’s a player with higher upside than McDaniels. But he also has significant question marks which could ultimately cause him to slide much further down the board.
He’s not the only player left on the board with significant upside however. Hampton is an elite athlete who can jump out of the gym. He just needs to figure out a jump shot. That could describe lots of players in Orlando, but that hasn’t stopped the Magic from taking them in the past.
Nesmith is another player available who could be a fit. There are some concerns about Nesmith’s foot — concerns that could lead to him sliding a bit in the draft. Tyrese Maxey also seems to be drawing some significant interest from Orlando.
16. Detroit Pistons (via Blazers, Rockets)
Precious Achiuwa
Memphis
Freshman
Forward
Age: 21
Updated 11/18 in Mock 3.4: The Rockets agreed in principle to trade Robert Covington and Trevor Ariza to the Blazers for the No. 16 pick in the 2020 Draft and another future first round pick. The turned around and traded Ariza and the No. 16 pick to Detroit to get under the tax. I’m leaving Achiuwa here at 16 even though this pick is changing hands. His upside proposition as an elite defender who can guard four, maybe five positions make him an interesting fit.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Nets)
Aaron Nesmith
Vanderbilt
Sophomore
Wing
Age: 21
Three point shooting is going to be a thing in Minnesota and Nesmith, if he was still on the board would be an interesting fit here. He’s arguably the best shooter in the draft and if the Wolves are comfortable with his foot, he can really help. If he’s gone, don’t be surprised to see Tyrell Terry go here. He’s been at 17 in our last few mocks and the Wolves seem genuinely interested. There also seems to be some Precious Achiuwa buzz here as well.
18. Dallas Mavericks
Leandro Bolmaro
Argentina
Guard
Age: 20
There seems to be a lot of Aleksej Pokusevski buzz here, but I’m think it’s more smoke than fire. Yes, Dallas has an elite international scouting group, but it doesn’t mean that Pokusevski is their guy. I think they are actually higher on Bolmaro. However, if this is the Thunder’s pick (Dallas has talked to OKC about swapping 18 for 25 and 28) then that makes more sense and Dallas could probably still nab Bolmaro at 25.
Bolmaro is a bit of a polarizing prospect … his unique approach to the game turns some teams off and has other teams pegging him as the next Manu Ginobili. His contract situation with Barcelona means that he’s likely to spend a year, maybe two, in Europe before coming to the NBA. The Mavs front office has the best international scouting outfit in the NBA and don’t be shocked if they nab him, let him develop for a year or two overseas and then plug him into the starting line-up down the road. He’s really, really grown on me since my first Big Board. Maryland’s Jalen Smith is another option here if he falls. Ditto for Arizona’s Josh Green.
19. Brooklyn Nets (via Sixers)
Jaden McDaniels
Washington
Freshman
Forward
Age: 20
The Nets are in “win now” mode with with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving providing all the offensive firepower in Brooklyn next year. So why take a swing on a player like McDaniels who isn’t ready for prime time. I hear the Nets are looking to the future with this pick, not the present and will focus on the player with the most long-term upside — and that’s McDaniels. Alexsej Pokusevski is the other potential target. Ditto for Tyrell Terry if he is on the board.
20. Miami Heat
Tyrese Maxey
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Age: 20
Placing yet another Kentucky player in Miami may feel a bit trite, but Maxey has many of the intangibles Pat Riley looks for in a guard and if he can play on the ball at the point as some scouts project (something he struggled with in Kentucky) he could be a real steal this late in the draft.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (via Thunder)
Desmond Bane
TCU
Senior
Guard
Age: 22
Bane’s stock continues to rise after stellar interviews with teams and for a team like Philly, that will likely prioritize shooting more than ever now that Darry Morey is the captain of the ship, this is a great fit — a savvy veteran that shot 44 percent from beyond the arc during his senior season at TCU. There’s some Cole Anthony buzz in Philly as well.
22. Denver Nuggets (via Rockets)
Isaiah Stewart
Washington
Freshman
Center
Age: 19
Stewart has been rising fast on boards over the past few weeks. His skill set, incredible wingspan and high energy are helping teams look past his lack of elite size and still emerging perimeter game. The game has changed, but I do think there’s still room for big men like Stewart .
23. New York Knicks (via Jazz)
Cole Anthony
North Carolina
Freshman
PG
Age: 20
Updated 11/18: The Knicks traded the No. 27 and No. 38 picks to move up four spots in the draft. Who are they after? There are some rumblings this morning that they are trying to land Washington’s Isaiah Stewart. However, I have him going one spot earlier to the Nuggets at 22. If he’s not on the board, and the Knicks pass on a point guard with their first pick, they shouldn’t with the 23rf pick. Anthony was projected as a lottery pick but a rocky freshman season at North Carolina made scouts question whether he’s peaked in college. At this point in the draft, the reward may outweigh the risk.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (via Pacers, Bucks)
Tyrell Terry
Stanford
Freshman
PG
Age: 20
The Pelicans acquired this pick from the Bucks in the Jrue Holiday trade. It’s really tough to know where to slot Terry. He could go as high as 17 to the Wolves, there’s strong interest there and Brooklyn will take a look at 19 as well. He’s one of the top shooters in the draft, which should be very attractive to the Pelicans. I could envision a future where both he and Lonzo Ball could fit together in the backcourt. Robert Woodward III is another possibility here.
25. OKC Thunder (via Nuggets)
Aleksej Pokusevski
Serbia
PF/C
Age: 18
The Thunder traded Dennis Schroder to the Lakers on Sunday, acquiring the Lakers 28th pick in the process. Everyone has the Thunder pegged to take him and the general consensus was that they’d have to move up to get him. I’m not so sure. Pokusevski is one of the more challenging prospects in the draft to project. The combination of talent and size is off the charts, but his slight frame and lack of high level experience make him a major work in progress.
26. Boston Celtics
Robert Woodward III
Mississippi State
Sophomore
Wing
Age: 21
Woodward is one of the few high upside players left in the draft. He’s a great athlete, can guard multiple positions and is an emerging shooter. He’s a polarizing prospect, but at 26 the risk isn’t too high.
27. Utah Jazz (via Clippers, Knicks)
Josh Green
Arizona
Freshman
Wing
Age: 19
Updated 11/18: The Jazz moved back four spots in the first round on Wednesday in order to acquire an early second round pick (No. 38) from the Knicks. It may pay off as I have the guy they were going to take at No. 23, Arizona’s Josh Green still on the board. Green’s defensive versatility, athleticism (he tested as one of the top athletes in the draft at the combine) and high basketball IQ are all major plusses if he’s still on the board here. He’s getting looks as high as Dallas at 18, so he might be gone. The lack of a consistent jump shot is the only major concern about his game. Robert Woodward III is also an option here and I hear if Jaden McDaniels is still on the board, this could be his floor.
28. OKC Thunder (via Lakers)
Theo Maledon
France
PG
Age: 19
With Schroder gone, adding another backcourt piece will be important and Maledon’s size and improvement this year could make him an intriguing pick for the Thunder.
29. Toronto Raptors
Vernon Carey Jr.
Duke
Freshman
Forward/Center
Age: 19
Given the potential woes the Raptors may have at center in the coming months, Carey could be an interesting fit. He lost a lot of weight over the past few months, has been shooting the ball well in workouts and teams seem to be falling back in love with his potential. Arizona’s Zeke Nnaji is another potential pick here as is Kansas’ Udoka Azubuike.
30. Boston Celtics (via Bucks)
Zeke Nnaji
Arizona
Freshman
Center
Age: 19
It’s hard to believe Boston ends up with all three picks. The chances of them trading at least one are high.
The buzz on Jay Scrubb has been loud the past few weeks. The JUCO player of the year was set to play in Louisville this year before jumping into the draft. Several teams including the Blazers, Raptors and Celtics have been rumored to have interest. He has great size for his position, is an excellent athlete with a quick first step and the ability to finish above the rim. He can play and defend both backcourt positions. His jump shot is the biggest question mark. He shot just 33 percent from three and his free throw numbers aren’t great.
But color me skeptical that he goes in the first round after talking to multiple teams. Nnaji doesn’t have that upside, but his size and defensive versatility in the front court could help Boston now.
SECOND ROUND
31. Dallas Mavericks (via Warriors)
Malachi Flynn
San Diego State
Junior
PG
Age: 22
32. Charlotte Hornets (via Cavs)
Paul Reed
DePaul
Sophomore
Forward/Center
Age: 20
33. Minnesota Timberwolves
Xavier Tillman
Michigan State
Junior
Power Forward
Age: 21
34. OKC Thunder (via Hawks, 76ers)
UPDATED 11/18
Tyler Bey
Colorado
Junior
Forward
Age: 21
35. Sacramento Kings (via Pistons)
Devon Dotson
Kansas
Sophomore
Guard
Age: 21
36. Philadelphia 76ers (via Knicks)
Jordan Nwora
Louisville
Junior
Wing
Age: 22
37. Washington Wizards (via Bulls)
UPDATED 11/18: