After trending toward LaMelo Ball being a lock for the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft last week, the start of draft week has seen a change at the top of the draft. DraftExpress’ Mike Schmitz appeared on Sportscenter on Monday morning to discuss the latest mock draft from himself and Jonathan Givony released on Monday as well.
The big change in that draft is LaMelo Ball being supplanted as the top pick with Anthony Edwards going to the Timberwolves. James Wiseman would go second to the Warriors and Ball would slip to Hornets at No. 3. Schmitz explained the reasoning for the trade.
“There’s a growing sense among NBA circles that if the draft were today, Anthony Edwards would be the favorite. There’s still figuring some things out. Nothing is set in stone but I think it’s an issue of fit more than anything. Teams don’t exactly see a bonfaide superstar at the top, right? So the first pick, the second pick, the third, they’re really going to evaluate fit with their team and if you look at the Minnesota Timberwolves, their two best players (are a) point guard in D’Angelo Russell and center in (Karl-Anthony Towns) so Anthony Edwards is the best fit there.”
The move is particularly interesting after Ball finally hit the court for individual workouts for teams last week. Though DraftExpress noted in their mock draft that Ball had strong showings in those workouts, Ball falling from the top spot doesn’t appear to be a result of that. Instead, it seems to be a result of the constant debate the Timberwolves have had since landing the No. 1 pick in fit versus talent.
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