Tag: 2020 NBA Mock Draft

Xavier Tillman, Cassius Winston first-round picks in NBC Sports Chicago 2020 NBA Mock Draft

NBC Sports Chicago’s NBA & Bulls Insider Rob Schaefer recently released his updated 2020 NBA Mock Draft. This mock draft featured two Spartans in Xavier Tillman and Cassius Winston. As a matter of fact, Tillman and Winston are projected back-to-back …

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NBC Sports Chicago’s NBA & Bulls Insider Rob Schaefer recently released his updated 2020 NBA Mock Draft. This mock draft featured two Spartans in Xavier Tillman and Cassius Winston. As a matter of fact, Tillman and Winston are projected back-to-back picks.

Schaefer’s mock draft has the Boston Celtics taking Xavier Tillman with the No. 26 pick and the New York Knicks taking Cassius Winston with the No. 27 pick.

Here is what Schaefer had to say about these two Spartans:

Xavier Tillman

Tillman doesn’t get by on sheer athleticism or innate measurables, but he earned Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019-20, and is an extremely enticing big-man prospect this season for his ability to defend in space, protect the rim and act as a hub on the offensive end.

Even undersized, the Celtics — strapped at the center position with Robert Williams perpetually unavailable and Enes Kanter useful but a defensive sieve — can appreciate that. Tillman’s 13.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3 apg, 2.1 bpg, 1.2 spg in a conference flush with quality bigs speaks for itself.

Cassius Winston

Winston won’t wow anyone at the NBA level with explosive athleticism, but he’s steady as they come — a proven pick-and-roll ball-handler and decision-maker, with extendable range (43.2% on 5.6 attempts per game from 3 his senior year). He’s high-floor, low-ceiling, but would make an immediate impact as a creator on a mismatched Knicks roster.

If they declare, lesser-known scorer/shooter options like Desmond Bane or Grant Riller could also be intriguing avenues for the Knicks in this spot. Any semblance of space around R.J. Barrett and their glut of frontcourt players would be welcome.

Note, this is not the first mock draft to project a Spartan going to the Knicks or the Celtics. As I’ve said before, the Knicks are the worst possible landing spot for Tillman or Winston. The Celtics, on the other hand, would be a wonderful fit for either player.

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Warriors trade down to land Deni Avdija in latest CBS Sports NBA Mock Draft

In the latest NBA Mock Draft from CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone, the Golden State Warriors land Deni Avdija after a trade with the Timberwolves.

As NBA draft season starts to heat up, mock draft predictions are beginning to pour in. With the Golden State Warriors set to make their pick in the top-five, a group of high caliber prospects have been commonly linked to the Warriors across mock drafts.

Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, USC’s Onyeka Okongwu, Florida State’s Devin Vassell and Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton have all had their name listed alongside Golden State in mock predictions.

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However, in the latest CBS Sports Mock Draft, Kyle Boone has the Warriors moving out of the first overall selection to take Israeli prospect Deni Avdija. Golden State traded the first picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 3 overall selection.

According to Boone, the Maccabi Tel Aviv product could thrive alongside Golden State’s Splash Brother duo.

Via CBS Sports:

The Israeli star would be a perfect fit in Golden State’s selfless system where he could thrive as a secondary playmaker along Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson who can keep the ball moving, and it’d be a win for Golden State to get a talent like him while trading out of the No. 1 spot.

Via the rest of Boone’s mock draft via CBS Sports here.

Over 26 games for Maccabi Tel Aviv, Avdija is averaging 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and one block per contest. In Maccabi Tel Aviv’s latest game, Avdija led the team with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field with four triples. Avdija added seven boards, two assists and a block.

With his ability to control the pace with his refined ball handling and eyes for a crafty pass, Avdija could immediately play a role in Steve Kerr’s second unit. The 6-foot-9 forward would give the Warriors a pair of fierce playmakers off the bench alongside Eric Paschall.

Avdija has the chance to contribute as a rookie, but the 19-year-old still has plenty of time to develop if he lands in Golden State’s system.

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Cassius Winston & Xavier Tillman first-round draft picks in Fox Sports NBA Mock Draft 4.0

Cassius Winston & Xavier Tillman are both first-round draft picks in the updated Fox Sports NBA Mock Draft 4.0. See where they land here.

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The 2020 NBA draft is set for October 16. Michigan State’s Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman are both popping up in a bevy of NBA Mock Drafts. This time, Jason McIntyre‘s Fox Sports 2020 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 has both players as first-round draft picks.

This updated version of the Fox Sports Mock Draft has the Boston Celtics taking Xavier Tillman with the 17th overall pick and the New York Knicks taking Cassius Winston with the 27th overall pick.

Here is what Jason McIntyre wrote of both Spartans:

Xavier Tillman

The most surprising name I’ve heard around the first round is Tillman, who spent three years in East Lansing.

He’s tenacious defensively, and possibly can defend all three front court positions. It remains to be seen if he can be a small-ball center (6-foot-8, 245 pounds).

Cassius Winston

A career 43 percent 3-point shooter in the Big Ten, Winston is just what the Knicks need: A three-year starter who can shoot and plays excellent defense.

New York should have a three-year plan to make the playoffs, and Winston could fill the role Fred Van Vleet has thrived in with Toronto.

Let’s break down these potential landing spots for both players. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Xavier Tillman on the Boston Celtics is a best-case scenario for the Michigan State Center. The Celtics are a very competent organization and will help Tillman improve on his strengths and weaknesses in the league.

I’m not really a fan of Cassius Winston landing on the New York Knicks. Simply put, there is far too much cause for concern within the Knicks organization both on and off the court. Plus, I think Winston would benefit well from being around a veteran PG in the NBA.

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Xavier Tillman & Cassius Winston both first-round picks in CBS Sports 2020 NBA Mock Draft

Xavier Tillman and Cassius Winston are both projected as first-round draft picks in another CBS Sports 2020 NBA Mock Draft.

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Another day, another 2020 NBA Mock Draft featuring Michigan State’s Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman. CBS Sports college basketball writer Kyle Boone released his updated NBA Mock Draft which projects Winston and Tillman as first-round draft picks.

Boone’s mock draft has the Philadelphia 76ers taking Xavier Tillman with the No. 21 pick and the Los Angeles Lakers taking Cassius Winston with the No. 29 pick.

Here is what Boone had to say about each Spartan’s potential draft spot:

Xavier Tillman

Consider this to be Al Horford insurance. Xavier Tillman is a Horford mirror, too: a low-usage big who affects winning by setting screens, rebounding and being a defensive menace. He’s not the most flashy big but he plays bigger than his size and should be an upgrade to Philly’s frontcourt.

Cassius Winston

Time and again in college, Winston overcome his athletic limitations by shooting the leather off the ball and using his smarts to outwit opponents. That, combined with his experience at the college level, makes him an ideal fit in L.A. on a team that could use an experienced and reliable floor general to potentially soften Rajon Rondo’s twilight years and maximize the championship window still open with LeBron and A.D.

Boone does a great job of comparing Winston and Tillman to potential teammates in the NBA. Tillman has the same type of skill set as Al Horford. Xavier can improve his jump shot in the NBA and become a very reliable backup Center to Joel Embiid.

Cassius Winston is the same size as Rajon Rondo but is a better shooter from distance. He could provide playmaking for the Lakers along with some spacing. Best of all, we get to watch Cassius play for a winning team in the NBA. Sign me up!

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Cassius Winston & Xavier Tillman Sr. updated draft spots in NBC Sports mock draft 3.0

Cassius Winston & Xavier Tillman Sr. have new draft spots according to the NBC Sports mock draft 3.0. See where these players may go here.

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Rob Dauster released the newly updated 3.0 version of his NBC Sports NBA mock draft this week. In this new mock draft, the Miami Heat pick Xavier Tillman with the 23rd overall pick and the Los Angeles Lakers pick Cassius Winston with the 29th overall pick.

Note, Dauster put Winston as the 23rd pick and Tillman as the 26th pick in the previous NBC Sports 2.0 NBA mock draft.

Here is what Dauster had to say about Xavier Tillman:

“I may be out on a limb here, but I truly believe that Tillman is worth a first round pick, especially in this year’s draft class. There’s really two reasons for this: For starters, he is a terrific passer. No one in college basketball is better than making the right play in a 4-on-3 scenario when the defense traps a pick-and-roll ball-handler than Tillman. But he is also an excellent defender that can really read the game. Talk to people around the Michigan State program and they’ll tell you he ran everything defensively. It was his voice that teammates heard. Now, the major question mark is his size. At just 6-foot-8, can he defend fives? Is he quick enough to play the four? If we knew for a fact that the answer to both of those questions would be ‘yes, and he can do it very well,’ I would have him slotted as a top 20 pick.”

Here is what Dauster writes about Cassius Winston:

“Winston did not have the season many of us expected him to have as a senior — understandably, given the death of his brother in November — but he still put up All-American numbers for a team that won a share of the Big Ten regular season title. He was playing his best basketball down the stretch, and he still have the highest basketball IQ of anyone in this 2020 NBA mock draft. He’s an elite passer and shooter that thrives in ball-screens. Yes, the defense and athleticism are concerns, but we said the same thing about numerous point guards that have made careers out of being backup point guards. Winston is the next in that pipeline.”

Alright, let me say these are both wonderful situations for both Tillman and Winston. The Miami Heat are known for player development. Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra will maximize Tillman’s abilities on the court. Not to mention Tillman is a workhorse ready to improve all facets of his game.

As a big-time Lakers fan, Winston in Purple and Gold is a dream. Winston will be a wonderful playmaker and can also help space the floor. Plus, who doesn’t want to see Winston playing for one of the best teams in the league?

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NBA Draft: Warriors land LaMelo Ball with the first pick in CBS Sports Mock

Is LaMelo Ball be destined to don blue and gold?

With no hoops on the schedule, NBA mock draft season is heating up.

For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors will have the opportunity to land a blue-chip prospect in the draft. Golden State’s league-worst 15-50 record has already eliminated their chances for the playoffs with 17 games remaining on the schedule.

With the draft lottery and combine getting postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Steve Kerr and Bob Myers will have plenty of time to decide how to attack their top selection. The Warriors could use the pick as an asset to acquire a veteran, move back in the draft or add a top-rated prospect to their championship core.

If the Warriors decide to stick at the top of the draft, Georgia’s Anthony Edwards and Dayton’s Obi Toppin have been popular names projected to Golden State in mock drafts.

In CBS Sports’ mock draft 1.0, a pair of analysts penciled in LaMelo Ball to the Golden State Warriors with the first overall pick. Both Gary Parrish and Kyle Boone have Ball landing in the Bay Area with their round one mock drafts.

According to Parrish, the former Illawarra Hawks point guard has “the best chance to be a future All-Star” out of any player in the 2020 field.

Via CBS Sports:

I’m a big believer that the first pick in any NBA Draft should be the player the franchise selecting thinks has the best chance to be a future All-Star. Period. And, in this draft, I believe Ball is that player. The 6-6 point guard, who is still only 18 years old, has developed into an incredible playmaker and passer who faired well playing professionally in Australia this past season. Some will choose to focus on his perceived negatives and low shooting percentages. But when you focus on what he can do, and how rare it is for somebody his age to do the things he can do, Ball becomes the most sensible option to be picked first.

Early in the season, it was reported Myers and the Warriors were planning a trip to Australia for a chance to scout Ball live. In 12 games for the Illawarra Hawks in Austalia’s NBL, the 18-year-old averaged 17.0 points on 37.5 shooting from the field with 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and in 31.3 minutes per game.

The Warriors desperately need a playmaking option behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in their backcourt. Ball’s addition to the Golden State Warriors’ rotation would immediately provide firepower to their thin bench unit with Eric Paschall and Jordan Poole.

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2020 NBA mock draft: Obi Toppin, LaMelo Ball offer intrigue

Rookie Wire breaks down the film and crunches all the relevant statistics to predict all 60 picks of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Like much of the world right now, the 2020 NBA Draft is full of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The cancellation of the NCAA Tournament changes the evaluation process and denies NBA teams the opportunity to see how players react to the pressure of performing on college basketball’s biggest stage. Nevertheless, scouts and front offices are doing their homework on this year’s top prospects.

As of now, the draft remains scheduled for June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. However, the event could be pushed back in reaction to the pandemic.

Meantime, our two-round mock draft accounts for potential fit for every team that currently owns picks. Some teams, such as the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics, have enough picks to trade up or turn them into higher picks for future years. Others, such as the Golden State Warriors, may want to trade down to select a player based on roster fit.

That said, we made our selections without trying to predict trades.

A few quick notes: Some notable freshmen (such as Florida’s Scottie Lewis, Villanova’s Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Duke’s Wendell Moore and Matthew Hurt) have been omitted because Rookie Wire expects them to return to school.

Similarly, top juniors (such as San Diego State’s Malachi Flynn, Iowa’s Luka Garza, Georgetown’s Omer Yurtseven) were excluded because we expect them to return for their senior year.

Generally speaking, players who have already declared for the draft or are testing the waters were given priority over prospects who we may rate a bit higher but have not officially put the name into the draft pool.

Draft order is based on NBA standings when the league went on hiatus.

1. Golden State Warriors: Anthony Edwards, Georgia

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Wing, 6-foot-5, 18 years old

The Warriors, obviously, have little need for a player who needs the ball in his hands as often as Anthony Edwards does. But the SEC Freshman of the Year arguably has the most star power of anyone in this draft class. Edwards averaged a strong 21.8 points per game in February and is a highlight-reel in transition. Edwards could conceivably be traded, which would allow Golden State to collect another asset while also selecting a player (perhaps either Obi Toppin or Deni Avdija) who fits better with the Warriors’ core.

Second pick | Third pick | Fourth pick | Fifth pick | Remainder of lottery | Remainder of first round | Second round

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Tom Crean on how he’s helping Rayshuan Hammonds prepare for draft

“This is something he’s wanted to do for some time and it’s his dream,” Crean said shortly after Hammonds announced his decision.

Georgia men’s head basketball coach Tom Crean may not be too keen on the prospect of starting next season without two of his most productive players. He is, however, going help all of his players make the best decisions they can for themselves.

For Anthony Edwards, long considered a top overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, playing a single season in Athens was a forgone conclusion.

For Rayshaun Hammonds, who entered the draft on Friday, declaring early shocked some Georgia hoops fans.

“This is something he’s wanted to do for some time and it’s his dream,” Crean said shortly after Hammonds announced his decision.

Hammonds hasn’t hired an agent and is therefore eligible to return to Crean’s squad for his senior year should he receive less than desirable feedback from NBA teams.

Regardless of how that transpires for Hammonds, Crean wants to help him out however he can.

“My thoughts are to support him every way possible and to help him get the most quality information from the decision-makers so he can sort through what’s real versus what people may tell him that don’t have any decision-making power as far as where he stands. That’s the most important thing. Get the right information and evaluations so that he has the tools to make the best decision.”

Crean elaborated on the “most important thing” for Hammonds:

“The most important thing is to help get quality and thorough information from the NBA underclassmen committee to see where Rayshaun stands, of which we’ve already requested through the paperwork.”

He continued:

“Also, we’ll help get it from the individual NBA teams during a time that is so unique and unknown as far as how this entire draft process will work out for everyone.”

The deadline for underclassmen like Hammonds to make the decision of maintaining their college eligibility or having their name entered for selection is June 15 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

The NBA draft is currently scheduled to take place ten days later, but regarding recent events and global health concerns, the Dawgs’ head coach himself feels in the dark when it comes to potential postponement.

“The process now still seems completely unclear as to how it will play out timing-wise for everyone involved.”

Crean does have some demands from Hammonds in the mean time:

“My expectations for [Hammonds] are to keep working diligently and stay focused on the school work coming and to stay in great shape. Also, to build your skills where you can.”

 

Georgia basketball: Rayshaun Hammonds declares for NBA Draft, maintains eligibility

On Friday, Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs saw its second player declare for the 2020 NBA Draft.

On Friday, Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs saw its second player declare for the 2020 NBA Draft. Star freshman Anthony Edwards declared earlier this month, and junior Rayshaun Hammonds has now joined him.

There is a necessary distinction to be made between the two:

Edwards has hired an agent and thus has no remaining NCAA eligibility (not that he needs it).

Hammonds hasn’t enlisted representation and is free to receive draft feedback from NBA scouts and coaches while leaving open the possibility of returning for what would be his senior season at Georgia.

Should Hammonds receive feedback that he deems less than ideal, he’s free to return to Athens this summer as if he never declared for the draft to begin with.

The 6’9″ forward out of Norcross has been a major contributor for the Dawgs even since his freshman season; he’s averaged north of 24 minutes of play per game since arriving at the University of Georgia.

In his shortened junior season, he posted career highs in points per game (12.9) and rebounds per game (7.4) and finished the year with a 22-point 11-rebound performance in the only game played in the SEC tournament prior to its cancellation.

The current deadline for a final decision is June 15th at 5:00, ten days before the 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled to begin in Brooklyn, New York.

Georgia men’s basketball announces new season attendance record

For the second consecutive year, Georgia’s men’s basketball has surpassed Stegeman Coliseum’s annual attendance record.

For the second consecutive year, Georgia’s men’s basketball has surpassed Stegeman Coliseum’s annual attendance record.

Attendance spiked following Tom Crean’s 2018 appointment as the Bulldogs’ head coach. When Crean managed to secure the commitment of 2019’s top high school prospect Anthony Edwards, excitement built further for Georgia basketball fans.

So, an average season with an above-average NBA prospect ended on a sour note against rival Florida. Georgia fans have every right to feel dejected.

Win or lose, however, Georgia faithful kept buying tickets to hoot and holler for the Dawgs. The Steg was packed and, oh my, was it loud.

A sure sign of an impassioned fanbase, the majority of the home crowd stayed until each game’s final whistle all year.

Mind you, that’s not just because of the fans’ recognition of the inevitably horrific post-game traffic splitting from Carlton Street toward either Lumpkin Street or East Campus Road.

The 2019-2020 Bulldogs’ hopes aren’t dead. There’s still an entire conference tourney left to be played.

Crean’s squad, which entered the campaign with high hopes, needs to win next week’s SEC Tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Unless conference tournament results prove otherwise, the Dawgs are considered a bubble team for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

In that case, a conference quarterfinal or semifinal would ostensibly improve Crean and company’s chances, but after such an up-and-down season, nothing can be guaranteed (always the case in the sports) or even predicted (always the case in Georgia sports).

Should the Bulldogs receive an NIT invite, they have the opportunity of hosting another game in Athens, potentially adding to the season’s attendance record.