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With the 2020 NBA Draft just a week away, it's time to look at how the board is shaping up. Our staff has been churning out great pre-draft content on team needs, underrated prospects, and player comparisons.
Now it's time to look at how we think the draft itself will go down. (Alec Liebsch and Dalton Pence made plenty of spicy selections, especially at the top of the draft.)
Our drafters have selected based on what they think a team should do, not necessarily what that team expects to do. Rumors about players' stocks will wax and wane over the days leading up to the draft, as will pick swaps and the like. For now, though, here's your OTG 2020 NBA mock draft.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Killian Hayes, Guard (France)Ratiopharm, Ulm, Germany
We kick off this mock draft with one of the hottest picks. Hayes hasn't been mentioned much as a top prospect, but none of the presumptive top picks fit well with Minnesota.
Hayes can step in as a lead ball handler, which is helpful for Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell. And speaking of those two, they're about to enter their sixth years in the league; the impetus to compete is growing.
2. Golden State Warriors: Anthony Edwards, Wing (Georgia)
For a Warriors team that has enough firepower in the short term, it would make sense to look to add a long-term building block for the next era of Warriors basketball. By adding Edwards, an exciting and high-flying wing, the Warriors can energize their bench unit right away—and possibly start him by the end of the season.
There's also a world where Edwards becomes a trade asset for Golden State. He's such a high-upside player that, short of a blockbuster trade on the night of the Draft, the Warriors will almost certainly be happy to select Edwards.
3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball, Guard (Australia)
The Hornets land the best available and most well-known player in this year's draft. Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier are both good guards, but neither of them look enticing enough to pass on Ball, a potential franchise cornerstone.
After losing Kemba Walker in free agency last summer, the Hornets need a new young star to inject some excitement and buzz - no pun intended- into their franchise.
4. Chicago Bulls: Onyeka Okongwu, Big (USC)
Okongwu has a high floor and seems like a great addition to a Bulls team that has lacked some excitement the past few years. Okongwu also gives Chicago cover for trying to flip one of their young stars.
While not an efficient shooter from deep, Okongwu is all hustle. His defense and tenacity help winning far beyond what shows up on a stat sheet.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Deni Avdija, Wing (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Avdija is viewed as the most NBA-ready international player in this year's draft. Still, there are enough question marks that he could slip to the Cavs with the No. 5 pick.
Avdija is a playmaker who won't overstep Cleveland's current backcourt of Collin Sexton and and Darius Garland. Likewise, he may fit in well with what the Cavaliers are trying to build for the future.
6. Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Haliburton, Guard (Iowa State)
Atlanta's backcourt is very talented offensively, but struggles mightily on the defensive end. Adding a defensive-minded guard who can play with or without Trae Young seems like a hand and glove fit for the Hawks.
Haliburton is a safe pick for a Hawks team that is looking to make the playoffs sooner rather than later.
7. Detroit Pistons: Isaac Okoro, Wing (Auburn)
Detroit's in a tricky spot at No. 7. They're not really in the market for any one position but also not looking to take big risks.
The Pistons' best bet might be a hedge between the present and future in Okoro, a defensive-minded wing who can play right away but also has plenty of room to grow. In addition, his reportedly high character and work ethic indicate he'll make use of his given talents.
8. New York Knicks: Devin Vassell, Wing (Florida State)
The Knicks have not had a great track record with their recent draft picks. RJ Barrett looks promising, but after drafting Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina in prior drafts, it wouldn't be surprising to see New York take the prospect with the highest floor.
Vassell is exactly that and can provide a promising piece to their future. Or an intriguing trade piece, because, well, it's the Knicks.
9. Washington Wizards: Patrick Williams, Wing (Florida State)
It's unclear what will ultimately happen to Washington's current roster. Will John Wall return to form? And if not, how long will Bradley Beal stick around?
For now, though, the Wizards should try to add a piece that can come in and play right away. Williams is a high floor prospect who can contribute both now and in the future.
10. Phoenix Suns: Kira Lewis Jr., Guard (Alabama)
Ricky Rubio is a reliable NBA veteran, but is not the future point guard spot for the Suns.
With Lewis Jr., Phoenix will hope to get their long-term answer at PG, and provide another building block to pair alongside Devin Booker.
11. San Antonio Spurs: James Wiseman, Big (Memphis)
Wiseman might very well end up going much higher in this draft, but he's enough of an unknown that he could fall to the Spurs at No. 11
San Antonio would happily select Wiseman and try to develop him to his full potential. One of the highest upside players in the draft, Wiseman makes too much sense here if he is still on the board for RC Buford and coach Popovich.
12. Sacramento Kings: Obi Toppin, Big (Dayton)
Another case of a player falling to later in the draft, this time with the Kings taking a chance on a top but perhaps overlooked prospect.
Toppin has serious warts - especially on defense, where he often looks flat-footed and/or lost - but given the Kings' lack of scoring talent, it's difficult to pass him up at No. 12.
13. New Orleans Pelicans: Tyrese Maxey, Guard (Kentucky)
Jrue Holiday has been linked to trade rumors for a while now, and it seems likely that he is traded sometime in the near future.
Maxey is a scoring guard who can play alongside Lonzo Ball right away and contribute to a Pelicans team with playoff ambitions.
14. Boston Celtics: Aaron Nesmith, Wing (Vanderbilt)
With three first-round picks this year, expect Boston to get creative with how they draft.
Choosing the best player available with their first pick makes the most sense. In Nesmith, the Celtics would land a reliable scoring option and a deep threat who can be plugged into the rotation right away.
15. Orlando Magic: RJ Hampton, Guard (Australia)
Hampton was once viewed as one of the top players in this draft. His decision to skip college and play overseas, though, might have hurt his draft stock.
Orlando seems like a great fit given their history of scouting international talent. And at the same time, Hampton helps the Magic out at the two-guard spot.
16. Portland Trail Blazers: Saddiq Bey, Wing (Villanova)
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum simply can't do it alone for Portland. The duo needs reinforcements in the backcourt. Bey is the type of play who knows his role and how to succeed in it.
As a plug-and-play wing, he'd make a great addition for a team that lacks a deep supporting cast.
17. Timberwolves: Precious Achiuwa, Big (Memphis)
With their second first-round pick, the Timberwolves should look to add a defensive-minded frontcourt friend for KAT.
Many of the concerns stemming from Minnesota are related to defense. Achiuwa would be a great fit for this up and coming team.
18. Dallas Mavericks: Josh Green, Wing (Arizona)
If the playoffs taught us anything about the Mavericks, it was that Dallas needs to build its roster around Luka Doncic the way teams have built around LeBron James.
Adding a plug-and-play wing will help the Mavericks on the defensive end, where they struggled quite a bit last season. If Green can further develop his shooting, this will be a home run pick for Dallas.
19. Brooklyn Nets: Desmond Bane, Wing (TCU)
For the first time since the early 2000s, the Nets are ready for title contention and would benefit from immediate help on the wing. Bane is one of the best shooters in the draft this year, having shot 44.2 percent from deep in his senior season.
The 22-year-old sniper would fit right in playing off two of the greatest offensive players in the game in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
20. Miami Heat: Cole Anthony, Guard (North Carolina)
It looks likely that one of Dragic or Crowder is likely on his way out for the Heat. Anthony would fill the hole that is left behind.
The UNC point guard was once viewed as one of the top players in this draft, but a rocky season has sunk his stock. For a Miami team that just made the finals, they should be willing to take the risk and swing for the fences on this boom or bust pick.
21. Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrell Terry, Guard (Stanford)
The 76ers floor spacing is a mess at present - this team needs a shooter on the wing in a bad way. Neither their starting lineup nor bench unit consist of a deep threat who can open up easy looks for the offense.
Terry is a shot creator with insane range and would help create driving lanes for Ben Simmons while giving a reliable shooter for when Joel Embiid is doubled.
22. Denver Nuggets: Jalen Smith, Big (Maryland)
Jalen Smith is an NBA ready two-way big who can play next to or behind Jokic. Paul Millsap is a free agent and Denver has had great success in the past with drafting big men, so why not try to repeat that luck once again?
23. Utah Jazz: Jaden McDaniels, Wing (Washington)
The Jazz are not real title contenders, but they don't necessarily have any glaring roster needs.
In this situation, Utah may try to swing for a high-upside prospect on the cheap with Donovan Mitchell due for a big pay day.
24. Milwaukee Bucks: Malachi Flynn, Guard (San Diego State)
The Bucks fell short in the playoffs, perhaps because of the team's poor guard play. It's all hands on deck to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy.
Flynn isn't quite ready to just hop in and make an impact, but he's got the potential to be a real piece by the time the playoffs roll around.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aleksej Pokusevski, Big (Serbia)
Pokusevski arguably has the highest upside of anyone left on the OTG mock draft big board. For a Thunder team that is built for the future, this pick would make a lot of sense.
OKC will take the patient route here. Pokusevski could be a draft-and-stash option.
26. Celtics: Leandro Bolmaro, Wing (Spain)
The second of Boston's three first-round picks, Bolmaro could be another draft-and-stash candidate. Baring a trade, it's hard to see the Celtics actually drafting three guys to add to next season's roster.
27. Knicks: Theo Maledon, Guard (France)
It has been a long time since the Knicks had a true franchise point guard. In a guard's league, this has been a problem the Knicks should attempt to address sooner rather than later.
Maledon is a tone-setting guard who makes sense after going with the best talent available with their first pick.
28. Los Angeles Lakers: Ty-Shon Alexander, Wing (Creighton)
The Lakers won the title with length and versatility on defense. Why not add to the fun and add Alexander, a defensive workhorse who can play right away towards the back end of the rotation?
29. Toronto Raptors: Devon Dotson, Guard (Kansas)
Fred VanVleet is a free agent and Kyle Lowry is getting up there in age. Taking a chance on a guard this late in the first-round makes sense for Toronto.
The organization has a strong G-League program. Likewise Dotson will have the benefit of learning in a championship culture.
30. Celtics: Isaiah Stewart, Big (Washington)
The Celtics have a lot of firepower on offense between Walker, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and (potentially) Gordon Hayward. Their weakest position has been center.
While Daniel Theis has provided valuable minutes for the Celtics, they should look to find their long-term answer at the five. Stewart is a stout rim protector who won't get bullied in the post and will set the tone defensively.
31. Mavs: Colorado F Tyler Bey
32. Hornets: Syracuse G/F Elijah Hughes
33. Timberwolves: Kansas PG DeVon Dotson
34. 76ers: Louisville F Jordan Nwora
35. Kings: Mississippi State W Robert Woodard II
36. 76ers: Charleston G Grant Riller
37. Wizards: Arizona PG Nico Mannion
38. Knicks: Duke PG Tre Jones
39. Pelicans: Arizona F Zeke Nnaji
40. Grizzlies: Duke G Cassius Stanley
41. Spurs: Michigan State F Xavier Tillman
42. Pelicans: Ceighton G Ty-Shon Alexander
43. Kings: LSU G Skylar Mays
44. Bulls: Gonzaga F Killian Tille
45. Magic: Utah State G Sam Merrill
46. Trailblazers: Arkansas G Mason Jones
47. Celtics: USA G Jay Scrubb
48. Warriors: Oregon PG Cassius Winston
49. 76ers: Kansas C Udoka Azubuike
50. Hawks: Oregon PG Payton Pritchard
51. Warriors: Mississippi State F Reggie Perry
52. Kings: Minnesota C Daniel Oturu
53. Thunder: Intl G Yam Madar
54. Pacers: Marquette PG Markus Howard
55. Nets: Seton Hall G Myles Powell
56. Hornets: USA F Josh Hall
57. Clippers: Cal-State Northrifge F Lamine Diane
58. 76ers: Intl F Paul Eboua
59. Raptors: Intl F Abdoulaye N’doye
60. Pelicans: Kentucky G Immanuel Quickley
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