Tag: 2020 NBA Mock Draft

Georgia’s Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 in latest 2020 NBA mock draft

Georgia basketball SG Anthony Edwards is projected to be selected first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Star Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards declared for the NBA draft this past September, following an absolutely electric freshman year at UGA.

Edwards averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Dawgs during the 2019-2020 season.  He has been in the talks of being a top three pick in the draft this year, along with Memphis center James Wiseman and the Illawarra Hawks point guard LaMelo Ball.

In NBC’s final version of its 2020 NBA Mock Draft Edwards goes No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBC’s Top 5:

  • 5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin (Dayton, PF)
  • 4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija (Maccabi Tel Aviv, SG/SF)
  • 3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball (Illawarra Hawks, PG/SG)
  • 2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman (Memphis, C)
  • 1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards (Georgia, SG)

There isn’t quite a consensus on who is the best of these three but Edwards, Ball and Wiseman present the biggest upside in the draft.

Here’s what NBC’s Tyler Byrum and Chase Hughes had to say about Edwards going No. 1 over the other two prospects:

Despite all the momentum for LaMelo Ball to be the first pick, we are sticking with Edwards who presents a super high ceiling due to his explosive athleticism and makes a perfect fit within the core Minnesota is building around. Fit often doesn’t determine the first overall pick, but it may in a year like this with little separating the top three guys. Edwards could be an ideal complement to Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell as a slasher on the wing.

Edwards would fit in with Minnesota very well.  They have their stars in point guard D’Angelo Russell and center Karl Anthony Towns but could use some serious help at the shooting guard position.

Edwards would provide the Timberwolves with a great wing threat that could add a whole new aspect to their offensive scheme.

If Edwards is to go No.1, he will be the first Georgia Bulldog to ever do so.  The closest to that accomplishment are Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at the No. 8 pick in 2013 and Dominique Wilkins at the No. 3 pick in 1982.

The 2020 NBA Draft begins tonight at 7:00 P.M. ET on ESPN.

Kaleb Wesson picked to go in top sixty of 2021 NBA Draft by Rookie Wire

Former Ohio State big man Kaleb Wesson is projected to go inside the 60 picks of the 2020 NBA Draft. Here’s what Rookie Wire says.

Former Ohio State big man Kaleb Wesson is no doubt getting antsy waiting around for the delayed and rescheduled 2020 NBA Draft. He’s been prepping and getting ready for all the fun amid a pandemic that’s turned the normal process upside down.

Still, he’s hoping to hear his name called on November 18 when everything finally gets off the ground on ESPN. He’s worked hard to shape his body, work on his outside game, and show that he can play defense with his feet instead of tiring out and reaching with his hands and causing foul issues.

So where will he go?

According to one site, Wesson appears to be a top sixty player. In fact, Bryan Kalbrosky of Rookie Wire has the 6-foot, 9-inch, 270-pounder going to the Toronto Raptors as pick No. 59, late in the second round and just inside the two-round draft.

But what’s his take on Wesson?

NEXT … Rookie Wire’s narrative on Kaleb Wesson

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Warriors land Deni Avdija at No. 2 in The Ringer’s NBA Mock Draft 1.0

In The Ringer’s NBA Mock Draft 1.0, Kevin O’Connor pens Israel’s Deni Avdija to the Golden State Warriors with the second overall pick.

While the league inches closer to the NBA Finals inside the Orlando Bubble, the Golden State Warriors are turning their attention to the draft. After landing the No. 2 overall selection in the NBA Draft Lottery, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr can officially map out their plan for draft day.

Before the Golden State Warriors hit the clock on Nov. 18, mock drafts are beginning to build predictions for what Myers and Kerr will do with the second overall pick. Along with wings Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, big men James Wiseman and Onyeka Okongwu have been popular selections for the Warriors in NBA mock drafts.

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In the first edition of The Ringer’s mock draft, Kevin O’Connor penned Israel’s Deni Avdija to the Warriors with the second pick. According to O’Connor, Avdija makes “logical sense” for the Warriors.

Via The Ringer:

Avdija makes logical sense as a highly experienced player who projects as a versatile 6-foot-9 forward with playmaking skills. Ideally, the Warriors would be able to trade down for him since two bigger-name prospects are still on the board.

View O’Connell’s complete mock draft here.

Despite only being 19-years-old, Avdija has built a resume filled with high caliber hoops experience. At age 16, Avdija signed a professional contract with international powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv.

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Over 26 games in the Israeli League, Avdija averaged 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and one block per contest. Prior to entering his name in the NBA Draft, Avdija earned the honor of Most Valuable Player in the Israeli League for 2020.

Avdija added four points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 26 appearances in the EuroLeague for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

As he develops his long-range jumper, Avdija could bring some stability to Kerr’s second unit. With his ability to handle the ball and create, the 6-foot-9 forward could serve as a lead playmaking option with Eric Paschall off the bench in his rookie season.

If he lands in the Bay Area, Avdij could slide next to Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to potentially form a potent small-ball lineup with versatile options at every label.

Golden State will have the next two months to continue doing homework on the 2020 draft class.

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Cassius Winston a first-round draft pick in Bleacher Report writer’s 2020 NBA Mock Draft

Michigan State basketball Guard Cassius Winston is projected as a late first-round draft pick in a new Bleacher Report 2020 NBA Mock Draft.

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Bleacher Report writer Jonathan Wasserman released an updated version of his 2020 NBA Mock Draft. In this mock draft, he projects former Michigan State basketball guard Cassius Winston as a late first-round pick.

Wasserman predicts the Los Angeles Lakers pick Cassius Winston with the No. 28 pick. Check out what Wasserman had to say about Winston below, courtesy of Bleacher Report:

Looking for an immediate contributor, the Lakers should be eyeing Winston, who’s worth betting on to overcome athletic limitations based on his skill, production and intangibles.

Wasserman is presenting an ideal situation for Winston in my opinion. Winston will play on a winning team. He will contribute immediately off the bench, and he can learn from veteran point guard Rajon Rando.

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Xavier Tillman a first-round pick in CBS Sports 2020 NBA Mock Draft

Michigan State basketball Forward Xavier Tillam is projected as a late first-round draft pick in a new CBS Sports 2020 NBA Mock Draft.

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We still have some time before the 2020 NBA draft, which means plenty of new mock drafts. Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports has updated his mock draft which features Xavier Tillman as a late first-round pick.

Ward-Henninger predicts Xavier Tillman will be drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the No. 25 pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

Read what Ward-Henninger had to say about Tillman below, courtesy of CBS Sports:

OKC’s backup center spot could be vacant this offseason, and Tillman is ready to step in and fill it right away. He certainly won’t stretch the floor at this point in his career, but he’s a good finisher around the rim with his 7-1 wingspan, and is also a capable playmaker from the high post.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are in an interesting spot. They could keep this current roster together and just add new pieces but will likely trade away Chris Paul to a win-now team. On the Thunder, Tillman could play along with high-upside point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which could result in a formidable pick-and-roll game.

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Vecenie mock draft: Warriors take James Wiseman with No. 2 pick

The Golden State Warriors took James Wiseman with the No. 2 pick in Sam Vecenie’s post-NBA draft lottery mock draft.

After the Golden State Warriors got the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery on Aug. 20, outlets started putting out their updated mock drafts.

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, a go-to draft source, slotted Memphis center James Wiseman as the second overall pick to the Warriors.

Vecenie writes:

“Wiseman is the top center in the class for me due to his elite-level physical tools and developing defensive prowess on the interior. By the end of Wiseman’s high school career, I thought that genuine All-Defense team upside existed within his potential outcomes.”

Wiseman, listed at 7-foot-1 with a wingspan that has been reported to be as long as 7-foot-6, could be a defensive anchor for Golden State and provide good rim-running offense in the pick-and-roll game.

He would be a giant in the post, four inches taller than Marquese Chriss, who is currently slotted into the starting center role.

Wiseman was widely considered the top 2020 prospect prior to his freshman year of college, but eligibility questions limited him to just three games at Memphis, so there’s minimal college film to go off when evaluating him.

On offense, Vecenie has picked up that Wiseman is “best when he keeps things simple” and too frequently wanders out of the post.

“He has a chance to be one of the league’s elite rim runners due to his hands, his catch radius and his ability to high point the ball once he gets downhill. I also think he’s going to be able to shoot it from distance long-term. Too often though, he tried to act as a face-up high-post player in the midrange area to poor results. He’s not really a shot creator, nor is he much of a passer.”

Wiseman, with his size, is easy to see as a long-term center option.

Vecenie also addressed a major talking point: trading the pick.

“They have a veteran core that they believe can get right back into the mix next season to potentially win a championship. They also have the trade exception they got within the Andre Iguodala trade which is $17.2 million. The team has a ton of options here.”

One such mock offer he made was when he was discussing the New York Knicks’ “near disaster result” of falling to No. 8. Vecenie proposed center Mitchell Robinson and that eighth overall pick in exchange for the Warriors’ No. 2 pick.

That’s just one example of a potential trade, but Vecenie thinks Golden State should absolutely put it on the market and see what offers they can receive.

If nothing, they can go ahead and draft the 7-foot-1 anchor.

Xavier Tillman drafted in 1st round of Bleacher Report writer’s 2020 NBA mock draft

Xavier TIllman is currently projected to be a first-round pick according to a Bleacher Report writer’s 2020 NBA Mock Draft.

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The 2020 NBA draft is officially set for October 16. Recently, former Michigan State basketball Forward Xavier Tillman declared he will stay in the 2020 NBA draft. As a result, his name continues to pop up in mock drafts. This time, Tillman is listed as a first-round pick in Bleacher Report writer Theo Salaun‘s 2020 NBA mock draft.

Theo Salaun predicts Xavier Tillman will be drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the no. 24 pick overall. Personally, I would not be mad at this pick but a bit cautious. After all, I think Tillman is best suited for a bench role on a win-now type of team.

Currently, Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to be a free agent in 2021 and could potentially leave. Hopefully, Giannis sticks around if Tillman lands in Milwaukee.

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Rookie Wire has Xavier Tillman, Cassius Winston in second-round of 2020 NBA Mock draft

The most recent version of the Rookie Wire has Xavier Tillman and Cassius Winston both projected as second-round picks. Read more info here.

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Rookie Wire’s 2020 NBA Draft Big Board 3.0 has Xavier Tillman and Cassius Winston both listed as second-round picks. Tillman has officially declared for the 2020 NBA Draft and will not return to East Lansing for another season. This certainly changes the outlook of the 2020 NBA draft, especially as other Big Ten players return to the NCAA.

Here is where Rookie Wire writer Bryan Kalbrosky projects each player along with his thoughts:

Xavier Tillman – No. 31 Pick

Xavier Tillman was averaging 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game before the season abruptly ended. He had been among the most prolific pick-and-roll finishers in the NCAA this season. His assist percentage (18.3%) ranked in the top 15 nationally among all players 6-foot-8 or taller. Outside of Stanford’s Tyrell Terry, his decision to remain in the 2020 NBA Draft was far and away the most notable among all prospects who were testing the waters — which explains why he jumped so high in our rankings as we had previously expected him to return to college.

Cassius Winston – No. 44 Pick

Cassius Winston had a career assist rate (43.1%) that ranks sixth-best among college players since the 2009-10 season. Winston is already an incredibly capable finisher and distributor out of the pick-and-roll, which will help his game translate to the next level. He also has been productive as a shooter off the catch, off the dribble and off screens — shooting above 40% from 3-point range on each of those attempts.

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Xavier Tillman Sr. a first-round pick in Bleacher Report writer’s 2020 NBA Mock Draft

Michigan State Basketballs Xavier Tillman has been included in yet another 2020 NBA Mock Draft from Bleacher Report. Read more details.

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The Mock Draft season rolls on as we approach the deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft on Aug. 17. There have been strong rumors thrown around about the draft status of Michigan State’s Xavier Tillman. Nonetheless, he keeps popping up in a plethora of 2020 NBA Mock Drafts.

Bleacher Report writer Zach Buckley put out another iteration of his 2020 NBA Mock Draft which features Xavier Tillman as a late first-round pick. In this Mock Draft, Buckley projects the Toronto Raptors selecting Xavier Tillman with the No. 28 overall pick.

Tillman landing in Toronto would be a splendid scenario. Nick Nurse has really maximized and developed players well on the Raptors. Plus, the team is still incredibly competitive in the East despite the departure of star player Kawhi Leonard. Lastly, Tillman can potentially play with guards like Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet.

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Xavier Tillman & Cassius Winston first-round draft picks in CBS Sports virtual NBA Mock Draft

Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman were both selected as the first-round draft picks in the CBS Sports virtual 2020 NBA Mock Draft.

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CBS Sports held another virtual NBA Mock Draft recently in which a team of experts picked players in the draft, acting as the General Manager of a specific team. This virtual Mock Draft featured two Michigan State basketball draft prospects in Xavier Tillman and Cassius Winston.

In this virtual Mock Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Xavier Tillman with the No. 25 pick and the Toronto Raptors selected Cassius Winston with the No. 28 pick.

First, let’s talk Tillman to OKC. I think this could be a nice spot for Tillman, especially playing alongside veteran Point Guard Chris Paul. Paul will maximize a lot of Tillman’s abilities in pick-and-roll situations.

Next, let me say I might just love Cassius Winston landing in Toronto. The Toronto Raptors are a very well-run organization from the top to the bottom. Nick Nurse is great at developing talent, like Fred Van Fleet. Nurse will really help get the best out of Winston on the court.

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