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15. ATLANTA HAWKS: Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky
Wing, 6-foot-2, 19 years old
The Kentucky freshman was one of the Top 10 players in this recruiting class heading into the season, per RSCI. He has been impressive, averaging 13.9 points per game in his first collegiate season. The biggest question is where he will play at the next level. He is a bit undersized to play the wing and not enough of a distributor to play the one. Fortunately, his 6-foot-6 wingspan helps him on the defensive side of the ball. That is an area that Atlanta valued in the draft last season when they selected Jarrett Culver and something they may again with Maxey.
16. BOSTON CELTICS: Cole Anthony, North Carolina
Guard, 6-foot-3, 20 years old
The most helpful draft strategy for a team is to select the best player available, which is what the Boston front office did last season with their first-rounder Romeo Langford. After missing significant time with injury while at North Carolina, Anthony could be another one of those prospects that will fall in the 2020 NBA Draft. There are enough holes in his game to not warrant a starting spot as a pro quite yet, like his inability to score near the basket. However, there is enough to like long-term that perhaps he could fill in for Brad Wanamaker as the backup point guard for Boston or even as a trade piece for the ever-evolving Celtics.
17. ORLANDO MAGIC: Jahmi’us Ramsey, Texas Tech
Guard, 6-foot-4, 19 years old
During his freshman year at Texas Tech, Ramsey has averaged 16.8 points per game with 5.3 rebounds. But perhaps his most draftable quality will be his ridiculously long wingspan (6-foot-10) compared to his height, which is something the Orlando front office always covets. His length has helped him grab 1.7 steals per game. The Red Raiders also brag a Top 10 defense so far and having another weapon alongside stoppers like Jonathan Isaac will help create an identity for the Magic.
18. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Forward, 6-foot-8, 19 years old
Considering how many picks the Thunder have over the next few years after trading away Paul George and Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City can afford to spend one on a prospect who may not see the floor right away. And though Avdija has not played much in the Euroleague so far this season, the 19-year-old forward is someone who can pay dividends as a project who can be a bit of a swiss army knife once his potential is materialized.
19. BROOKLYN NETS: Jared Butler, Baylor
Guard, 6-foot-3, 20 years old
The Baylor guard is a win-now player who is currently playing for the best team in the country. He can provide help on both sides of the ball for an NBA team as soon as next season, which is when the Brooklyn Nets will be in full form with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving running the show. Butler can enter the rotation sooner than later because he is a 3-and-D prospect, shooting 40.4 percent from three while adding 1.5 steals per game. With slightly improved tough, he is someone who can potentially be a 50-40-90 player as well as he is also shooting 88.4 percent on free throws.
20. DALLAS MAVERICKS: Daniel Oturu, Minnesota
Big, 6-foot-10, 20 years old
Minnesota’s sophomore big man has had one of the most surprisingly dominant seasons of all college players. There is serious boom-or-bust potential, of course, but the ideal fit for Oturu is one where he can run pick-and-pop possessions with an elite distributor. The idea of him having Luka Doncic as his partner would take his potential to even crazier potential than he has already shown. He is an elite rebounder, shot-blocker and has a strong case to be the first player from the Big Ten selected in the 2020 NBA Draft.
21. MILWAUKEE BUCKS: Tyrell Terry, Stanford
Guard, 6-foot-1, 19 years old
While currently flying a bit under the radar, this Stanford freshman is currently having one of the best rookie campaigns in college basketball. Terry is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He operates well out of the pick-and-roll and has been stellar as a shooter off the catch. Overall, he is currently shooting 41.6 percent from three-point range. Milwaukee gets a ton of open three-pointers and Terry will knock them all down.
22. TORONTO RAPTORS: Saddiq Bey, Villanova
Forward, 6-foot-8, 20 years old
The Villanova wing projects as a solid 3-and-D rotational piece and someone who could easily have a long career in the pros. He recently had his most impressive game of the season, going 8-for-10 from three-point range with 33 points against Georgetown. It was one of those performances that scouts will remember when trying to convince an NBA executive that shooters, especially those with his height, have a place in this league.
23. HOUSTON ROCKETS: Devin Vassell, Florida State
Wing, 6-foot-7, 19 years old
Florida State moved Vassell into the starting lineup as a sophomore and it has paid dividends. He is averaging 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. The wing rarely makes mistakes and his turnover rate (6.8 percent) is one of the ten lowest in the country among those who have played at least 40 percent of their team minutes. Vassell is a phenomenal team defender and has some solid individual accolades as well, averaging 1.6 steals per game.
24. L.A. Clippers: Cassius Stanley, Duke
Wing, 6-foot-6, 20 years old
There is a world of potential that is surrounding Stanley, who has been a multidimensional talent at Duke. His record-setting vertical leaping ability will draw attention though there is a lot more to like about the freshman as well. He is shooting 43.3 percent from three-point range and is averaging 1.67 points per possession when shooting off the catch, per Synergy, which ranks in the 99th percentile among all NCAA players. The Blue Devils have a Top 5 offense and a Top 5 defense and with the trust of Coach K, he has an important stamp of approval. If he were playing in his hometown, too, he can become an immediate fan favorite.
25. MIAMI HEAT: Theo Maledon, ASVEL
Guard, 6-foot-4, 18 years old
Goran Dragic will be off the books next season, leaving a noticeable hole in the backcourt for Miami. While they feel they may have something with their rookie Kendrick Nunn, what if he shows he is a one-hit-wonder? Maledon is a player who could provide a nice low-risk, high-reward gamble this late in the first round if he is still available. He is still young and is someone that the training and conditioning team could help add some muscle to his relatively small frame.
26. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Isaiah Stewart, Washington
Big, 6-foot-9, 18 years old
With an already solid backcourt, the Thunder could use some depth up in their frontline. Nerlens Noel is only on a one-year deal and Stewart would give them some youth behind NBA veteran Steven Adams. The big man is a box score stuffer, currently averaging 18.2 points and 8.6 rebounds with 1.6 blocks per game. The main reason he is so low here is that more than 50 percent of his offensive finishes have come on post-up opportunities, which he will not be able to do as much in the pros.
27. UTAH JAZZ: Jaden McDaniels, Washington
Forward, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
One of the reasons why he is such a coveted prospect is that because McDaniels has a 7-foot-1 wingspan. He needs to improve his three-point shooting (34.8 percent) and rely less on deep midrange looks. But his frame is intriguing enough to earn a spot in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft. One of the more encouraging traits to note is that the Huskies allow him to run pick-and-roll as the ballhandler a bit. If he finds a more natural rhythm there, lottery buzz will make more sense. Until then, teams would be more likely drafting on him as a concept than him as a player.
28. BOSTON CELTICS: Paul Reed, DePaul
Forward, 6-foot-9, 21 years old
After starting off the season as one of the hottest teams in college basketball, DePaul has lost four games in a row. However, that should hardly impact the draft stock of Reed. His defensive rebound percentage (25.9 percent) leads the Big East while his block percentage (10.7 percent) ranks second-best in the conference. One of the more encouraging aspects of his game is unlike many other top college big men, he has much more to offer on offense than simply posting up smaller defenders. For example, he has performed well as the ballhandler in transition and has been excellent when cutting to the basket as well.
29. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Jordan Nwora, Louisville
Forward, 6-foot-7, 21 years old
Any team with LeBron James needs shooters and that is the best way to describe Nwora, who has made a case for himself as NCAA’s National Player of the Year based on his incredible ability from three-point range. He is now shooting 44.2 percent from long distance, which leads the ACC among those with at least ten attempts. He is averaging 1.50 points per possession (99th percentile) as a spot-up shooter and 1.58 PPP (98th percentile) off the catch. For the Lakers, a player like that is worth a serious look in the first round.
30. BOSTON CELTICS: Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Big, 6-foot-8, 20 years old
Jackson-Davis has been impressive for Indiana, averaging 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds with 2.1 blocks per game. He can be a developmental project for their frontcourt as a rim protector on the defensive side of the game. But he can also provide some value on offense, too, as an efficient scorer beyond just as a post-up threat. He ranks Top 10 among all NCAA players in total dunks (29) and realistically deserves more buzz than he is currently getting.
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