The uncertainty of the 2020 NBA Draft lies in the fact no prospect was able to establish themselves as the clear cut top option in what was a peculiar year in the college basketball landscape. While LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman entered as the top prospects, none of the trio separated themselves, allowing other prospects both countryside and abroad to move into the conversation.
The result, as has been seen in various big boards and mock drafts, is a host of scenarios that could play out atop the draft with any number of players being the top pick. In his latest mock draft for The Athletic, Sam Vecenie echoed that sentiment after speaking to individuals around the league.
In my conversations with teams and internal evaluators, during which I asked who each individual person would take No. 1, I’ve heard the names Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, Deni Avdija and Obi Toppin. And then most teams don’t have that as a consensus top five either. Some teams think of Isaac Okoro as a top-five prospect. Others have Onyeka Okongwu there. Killian Hayes comes up. Quickly, the list expands.
A couple key aspects will determine what order prospects will go off the board. The most influential aspect will almost certainly be team need. The Cavaliers or Hawks, for example, likely won’t have LaMelo Ball as high on their lists as other prospects given their current roster construction.
There is a number of scenarios that could play out in the draft, though it’s hard to see Ball drop lower than fifth in the draft. It’ll lead to a very interesting draft night, whenever that night may finally occur.
[lawrence-related id=22006,22001,21991]