NBA Draft results 2020: Grades, analysis for every pick in Round 1

Choose – Crew – Participant

1. Timberwolves — Anthony Edwards, Georgia, Guard

Minnesota retains its choose and goes with Edwards, who was all the time one of the best match subsequent to D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Cities.

Edwards is an elite athlete with the scoring capability to finally turn into a a number of time All-Star. There have been questions on his defensive effort and work ethic, however he is obtained the expertise to be particular.

Grade: B+

2. Warriors — James Wiseman, Memphis, Middle

Wiseman ought to thrive as a rim-runner in Golden State’s offense. The 7-footer has an enormous wingspan and strikes effectively for his measurement, giving him an opportunity to emerge as a Rudy Gobert-esque stopper later in his profession.

It is not straightforward to be a giant man in immediately’s recreation, however Wiseman discovered an amazing touchdown spot.

Grade: A-

Three. Hornets — LaMelo Ball, Illawarra, Guard

Charlotte could have discovered a franchise cornerstone at No. Three. Whereas Ball is way from an ideal prospect — protection and taking pictures consistency are apparent issues — he’s a top-tier playmaker and possesses the largest upside within the draft.

The Hornets wanted somebody to offer them an id and a stage of pleasure. Ball does that.

Grade: A

four. Bulls — Patrick Williams, Florida State, Ahead

A calculated threat right here by Chicago. Williams is uncooked offensively, however he has a robust bodily construct and good defensive potential and will carve out a protracted profession if he can enhance his exterior shot.

Grade: B

5. Cavaliers — Isaac Okoro, Auburn, Ahead

Cleveland has a dreadful defensive unit; Okoro ought to assistance on that finish by taking a number of assignments. He additionally will not take away offensive possessions from Collin Sexton and Darius Garland.

Will he ever be an honest Three-point shooter? That talent will in the end decide Okoro’s ceiling. 

Grade: B

6. Hawks — Onyeka Okongwu, USC, Middle

Okonguwu theoretically matches effectively in Atlanta as lob catcher and rim protector, however the Hawks have already got John Collins and Clint Capela on the roster. Maybe they’re contemplating a commerce following this choice.

Grade: C

7. Pistons — Killian Hayes, Ulm, Guard

With Detroit probably heading towards a rebuild, Hayes makes lots of sense as the purpose guard of the longer term. He’ll battle early due to his lack of elite athleticism and propensity to go left, however he has a terrific really feel for the sport and will have loads of time to develop.

Grade: A-

eight. Knicks — Obi Toppin, Dayton, Ahead

Toppin was one of the best participant in school basketball final season. He is an amazing scorer and a monster above the rim.

Protection goes to be an issue for the Knicks. At this level, although, they’re simply going for expertise, as Toppin, RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson are the one foundational items.

Grade: B

9. Wizards — Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Ahead

Avdija was projected to be a top-five choose in some mock drafts. Washington was comfortable to take him at No. 9.

The 19-year-old is an outsized creator who’s snug working out of the pick-and-roll and in transition. The most important concern with him is his exterior taking pictures. Can he finally pressure defenses to respect him on the perimeter?

Grade: B+

10. Suns — Jalen Smith, Maryland, Ahead

Nicely, it is a shocker. For the second consecutive yr, Phoenix selects a prospect a lot greater than his preliminary projections.

Smith brings measurement (6-10, 225 kilos) and taking pictures to the frontcourt, however he has restricted mobility and is not a superior athlete. A curious selection right here with different choices accessible.

Grade: C-

11. Spurs — Devin Vassell, Florida State, Guard

Vassell might rapidly emerge as one of the best Three-and-D prospect within the class and log vital minutes for a crew chasing a playoff berth. He ought to not less than be a position participant for years to return — and perhaps way more.

Grade: A

12. Kings — Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State, Guard

It was a shock to see Haliburton slide exterior the highest 10, so Sacramento needs to be ecstatic about this choose.

Exterior taking pictures, playmaking, basketball IQ — the 6-5 guard is simply strong in lots of areas. He isn’t an distinctive athlete, however Haliburton is a successful participant.

Grade: A

13. Pelicans — Kira Lewis Jr., Alabama, Guard

One of many quickest gamers on this class heading to the Pelicans? It will be a monitor meet in New Orleans.

The Pels are stacked with guards, however a few of them could also be moved previous to the season. Lewis ought to carve out a spot within the rotation.

Grade: B+

14. Celtics (through Grizzlies) — Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt, Ahead

Knockdown taking pictures. That is what Boston will get in Nesmith, although it is unclear how he can excel on the subsequent stage past being a spot-up risk.

There are additionally issues about Nesmith’s well being after he missed vital time at Vanderbilt with a damaged foot. That is an upside play for the Celtics.

Grade: B-

15. Magic — Cole Anthony, North Carolina, Guard

As soon as thought of a possible top-five choose, Anthony might turn into a draft-day steal. Regardless of a tough yr at UNC, Anthony continues to be a gifted offensive participant who can break down defenders and get buckets off the dribble.

Orlando desperately wanted some backcourt creation, so Anthony receives the decision.

Grade: B+

16. Pistons (through Rockets) — Isaiah Stewart, Washington, Middle

Stewart is the form of participant who will carve out a protracted profession for himself simply by outworking these round him. He rebounds like loopy and will finally be a taking pictures risk.

With that mentioned, this looks like a little bit of a attain. Sporting Information had Stewart going within the late 20s in its most up-to-date mock draft.

Grade: C

17. Thunder (through Timberwolves) — Aleksej Pokusevski, Olympiacos, Ahead

Pokusevski is a 7-footer, however he is removed from a standard large. He is obtained robust ballhandling abilities, and he can catch and shoot off a display screen like a wing. The issue? He solely weighs about 200 kilos.

With Oklahoma Metropolis piling up future draft picks as a part of its rebuild, it may afford to take an opportunity on the 18-year-old.

Grade: B+

18. Mavericks — Josh Inexperienced, Arizona, Guard

Inexperienced can spot up alongside the Three-point line and do a bit of making as the first ballhandler. He’s powerful on and off the ball defensively. He could prime out as a job participant, however he could possibly be an excellent one.

This man must be simply high quality enjoying in Rick Carlisle’s system alongside Luka Doncic.

Grade: A-

19. Pistons (through Nets) — Saddiq Bey, Villanova, Ahead

Detroit obtained this choose as a part of a three-team commerce that despatched Luke Kennard to the Clippers and Landry Shamet to the Nets.

Bey would not have a excessive ceiling, however he’s a secure guess as a Three-and-D wing. Plus, he is good worth at this spot.

Grade: B+ 

20. Warmth — Valuable Achiuwa, Memphis, Ahead

Defensive versatility and a excessive motor — after all Miami desires Achiuwa.

His offensive position within the NBA is unclear, however the Warmth are large at creating their kids. He ought to have the ability to develop behind Bam Adebayo.

Grade: B

21. 76ers (through Thunder) — Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky, Guard

Maxey can create offense off the dribble and is great as an on-ball defender. Whereas his Three-point numbers at Kentucky weren’t inspiring, Maxey’s type is not disastrous, and he has seemed snug on pull-up jumpers.

Philadelphia will need to have been pleasantly stunned Maxey was accessible at No. 21. It is a terrific match.

Grade: A

22. Nuggets (through Rockets) — Zeke Nnaji, Arizona, Middle

Nnaji could possibly be a part of an NBA rotation for years to return, as he’s a succesful finisher and has flashed a pleasant taking pictures stroke. Not precisely Defensive Participant of the 12 months materials, although.

With Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee presumably leaving in free company, Nnaji makes some sense as a backup.

Grade: B-

23. Timberwolves (through Knicks) — Leandro Bolmaro, Barcelona, Guard

The 20-year-old has the ballhandling, passing, basketball IQ and depth to the ground. Not an amazing shooter or athlete.

Minnesota will need to have felt strongly about him with a commerce up for this choose.

Grade: B-

24. Nuggets (through Pelicans) — RJ Hampton, New Zealand, Guard

Hampton could possibly be an honest upside gamble. The 19-year-old is a fast, explosive guard, however he’ll want a while to develop.

Denver will permit him to try this. A significant steal candidate right here.

Grade: B+

25. Knicks (through Timberwolves) — Immanuel Quickley, Kentucky, Guard

A late first-round shocker. Quickley is a sharpshooter, however he is additionally undersized at 6-2 and not an distinctive athlete.

New York might have simply taken him (or an analogous prospect) later within the draft. 

Grade: C-

26. Celtics — Payton Pritchard, Oregon, Guard

Pritchard could possibly be a strong backup level guard in Boston, however there have been extra intriguing choices right here. Nonetheless, he is a troublesome participant and succesful shooter.

Grade: B-

27. Jazz (through Knicks) — Udoka Azubuike, Kansas, Middle

A beast inside, Azubuike is a unbelievable finisher inside. Nevertheless, he can have primarily zero probability to defend guards and wings exterior the paint. That is not splendid within the trendy NBA.

Grade: C-

28. Timberwolves (through Thunder) — Jaden McDaniels, Washington, Ahead

McDaniels could be a versatile scoring pressure when locked in, however he additionally turns the ball over and will get known as for technical fouls with alarming regularity.

As a late first-rounder, although, the potential reward overrides the chance. 

Grade: B+

29. Raptors — Malachi Flynn, San Diego State, Guard

Within the pick-and-roll, Flynn has proven that he’s equally lethal as a distributor or pull-up shooter. He additionally actually places within the effort defensively.

Flynn will not have the ability to keep away from the Fred VanVleet comparisons, however that is not a nasty factor. Actually good worth.

Grade: A-

30. Grizzlies (through Celtics) — Desmond Bane, TCU, Guard

Top-of-the-line shooters within the draft, Bane is the form of flooring spacer Memphis wants. He’s restricted as a creator, however the Grizzlies will not be asking him to be the first supply of offense.

Grade: B+