Tag: NBA Mock Draft

NBA lottery will impact Anthony Edwards’ career

Georgia Bulldogs standout basketball player Anthony Edwards’ NBA career will be swayed by the NBA’s Draft Lottery.

Georgia Bulldogs standout basketball player Anthony Edwards has a big week coming up. His NBA career and his next basketball home will be partially determined by Thursday’s NBA Draft Lottery.

Edwards is considered one of the top NBA prospects to ever come out of the University of Georgia. He’s projected to be a top five pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Cleveland Cavaliers all have a greater than ten percent chance of landing the number one overall pick.

Edwards could land in a variety of different situations. The Atlanta Hawks are Edwards’ hometown team and would be the preferred landing spot for many Georgia Bulldogs fans.

Contrarily, Edwards could end up with the Golden State Warriors, who are anticipated to return to being NBA title contenders next season. He’d have excellent mentors with the Warriors. Golden State will consider trading their top draft pick for a superstar, so that opens up even more possibilities for Edwards.

This NBA Draft doesn’t have a standout superstar like previous years. This combined with the endless possibilities of the NBA Draft Lottery mean that much of Anthony Edwards’ basketball career is hanging in the balance. Being in the right situation makes all the difference for stars in today’s NBA.

The 2020 NBA Draft takes place on Oct. 16.

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Nov 26, 2019; Lahaina, HI, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Anthony Edwards speaks with Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo after the game during round two of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Warriors land Dayton’s Obi Toppin in latest Bleacher Report NBA Mock Draft

In Bleacher Report’s new NBA Mock Draft from Jonathan Wasserman, the Golden State Warriors landed Dayton’s Obi Toppin with the No. 3 pick.

While the postseason is set to begin at Disney World, the Golden State Warriors have flipped the switch to draft season. With the worst record in the NBA, the Warriors were one of eight teams left outside the Orlando Bubble. With Golden State’s early offseason, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr will have a jumpstart on draft prep.

Before Golden State makes their first pick in the top-five since 2002, mock drafts are flowing in with predictions for the Warriors’ selection. Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, Memphis’ James Wiseman, Israel’s Deni Avdija and Florida State’s Devin Vassell have been listed alongside the Warriors in mock drafts.

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In Jonathan Wasserman’s latest mock draft for Bleacher Report, Golden State landed a high-flying forward out of Dayton. With the No. 3 overall selection, Wasserman added Obi Toppin to the Warriors. According to Wasserman, Toppin’s improved skillset could fit Golden State’s win-now approach.

Via Bleacher Report:

Toppin converted scouts into believers this season with improved shooting and passing to complement the explosive finishing. And given Golden State’s spread offense, ball movement and win-now roster, the 22-year-old inside-out big man could have a more appealing case than a project whose weaknesses include skill and feel.

View Wasserman’s full Bleacher Report mock draft here.

On his way to winning the National College Player of the Year award, Toppin averaged 20 points on 63.3% shooting from the field with 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. The 6-foot-9 forward added long-distance shooting as a sophomore, jumping from 0.6 attempts from beyond the arc as a freshman to 2.6 in his second season with Dayton.

Toppin’s elite athleticism and above the rim mentality could add a new wrinkle to Golden State’s roster. With his ability to run the floor, Toppin would immediately provide a rim running lob threat alongside Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

 

As the Warriors try to make a run back to the postseason during his rookie year, the 22-year-old would have time to refine his 3-point shooting and build his defensive repertoire with Draymond Green as his mentor.

Myers and Kerr will have a better outlook for Golden State’s draft plans when they find out when they’ll be on the clock on Thursday at the NBA Draft Lottery.

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Warriors get frontcourt help with first pick in new CBS Sports NBA Mock Draft

In the latest CBS Sports Mock Draft from Kyle Boone, the Golden State Warriors land James Wiseman out of Memphis with the top overall pick.

With the NBA restart only days away from returning to action in the Orlando Bubble, the Bay Area has already set their sights on the NBA Draft.

The Golden State Warriors league-worst 15-50 record ended their chances of an invite to Disney World. However, the Warriors will have the opportunity to make a selection in the top five of the NBA Draft for the first time since 2002.

In the months leading up to October’s Draft, mock drafts will take shots at predicting what the Warriors will do when Steve Kerr and Bob Myers are on the clock. Prospects like Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Deni Avdija and Florida State’s Devin Vassell have been listed alongside the Warriors in recent mocks.

In the latest mock draft from CBS Sports, Kyle Boone gave the Warriors help in the frontcourt. With the first overall selection in the CBS Sports Mock Draft, Golden State landed Memphis big man James Wiseman. According to Boone, Wiseman could fill the Warriors’ need for a reliable center.

Via CBS Sports:

They need a reliable center who can finish lobs and wreak havoc around the rim, and Wiseman, with his 7-6 wingspan and shot-blocking savvy, would be a perfect remedy.

In three games for the Memphis Tigers, the 19-year-old averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest. Wiseman scored in double-figures in every game, earning a double-double performance in two games.

Wiseman ranked fourth on the Warriors Wire 2020 NBA Draft Big Board.

Wiseman’s time with the Tigers was cut short after the NCAA ruled the former consensus five-star recruit ineligible due to a moving expense with Memphis coach Penny Hardaway. In December, Wiseman withdrew from Memphis to prepare for the 2020 draft.

Since the arrival of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors have shuffled through a bevy of veteran centers. Andrew Bogut and Zaza Pachulia proved serviceable during their time in the Bay Area. Yet, neither had the upside of Wiseman.

Adding Wiseman next to Marquese Chriss would give the Warriors a young pair of athletic and energetic bigs on the inside. Wiseman can run the floor and finish lobs from anywhere around the rim with his 7-foot-4 wingspan. At only 19-years-old, Wiseman has shown off a smooth shooting stroke that can continue to develop while Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins carry a bulk of Golden State’s responsibilities in 2020-21.

If the Warriors decide to opt for a different frontcourt prospect, USC’s Onyeka Okongwu, Maryland’s Jalen Smith, DePaul’s Paul Reed and Minnesota’s Daniel Oturu could be options.

With an extended offseason on the books in Golden State, Kerr and Myers will have plenty of time to study the 2020 draft class.

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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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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 select LaMelo Ball with first pick in new CBS Sports Mock Draft

In the latest CBS Sports Mock Draft from Gary Parrish, the Golden State Warriors added guard LaMelo Ball with the first overall selection.

As players from 22 teams are preparing for their journey to Orlando for the return of the NBA, the Golden State Warriors are getting ready for a different season. After inking the league’s worst record at 15-50, the Warriors are set to make a selection in the top-five picks of the NBA Draft for the first time since 2002.

With draft season picking up steam, mock draft predictions are beginning to be filed before October. After the NBA Lottery on August 25, draft season will hit the stretch run. With months to go before the Warriors are on the clock, a group of top prospects have been listed alongside Golden State.

Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, USC’s Onyeka Okongwu, Florida State’s Devin Vassell and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Deni Avdija have all recently been mocked to the Warriors.

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In the latest mock from CBS Sports‘ Gary Parrish, the Golden State Warriors landed LaMelo Ball with the first overall selection. According to Parrish, Ball has the best chance to become an All-Star out of the 2020 draft class.

Via CBS Sports:

The first pick in any NBA Draft should be the player the franchise selecting believes has the best chance to be a future All-Star. And, in this draft, I think, Ball is that player.

View Parrish’s complete mock draft via CBS Sports here.

In the Warriors Wire July Draft Big Board, the Chino Hills product ranked at No. 2 behind only Edwards.

In 12 games for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s NBL, Ball averaged 17 points while shooting 37.5% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. The young point guard added 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.6 steals per contest.

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If the Warriors land the 6-foot-7 guard, Steve Kerr’s second unit would immediately get a boost with a dynamic playmaker. At only 18-years-old, Ball still has plenty of time to develop under Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in Golden State’s backcourt.

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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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CBS Sports’ NBA Mock Draft has Kira Lewis as 20th overall draft pick

CBS Sports released its latest mock draft and has Kira Lewis as the 20th pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft.

CBS Sports released its latest mock draft and has Kira Lewis as the 20th pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, which has been postponed until October.

Analysts continue to applaud Lewis’ speed, ability to move the ball and his ability to make big plays. Most mock drafts have Lewis being drafted anywhere between 15th and 29th. According to this mock draft by CBS Sports, Lewis would be drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Jan 4, 2020; Gainesville, Florida, USA;Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) makes a three point basket against the Florida Gators during the second half at Exactech Arena. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish had this to say about Lewis:

“Kira Lewis will still only be 19 years-old on draft night even though he’s played two seasons of college basketball. So he’s young. And he’s light. But the 6-3 point guard was really productive this season — averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds for an Alabama team that finished 60th at KenPom. Lewis made an incredible 48.8% of his 3-point attempts in the Crimson Tide’s final seven games. So it appears he can be a reliable, and perhaps terrific, perimeter shooter as a professional, not to mention a real steal this deep in this draft.”

In his two years with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes and finished with a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 points, 260 assists and 183 turnovers.

Warriors select USC’s Onyeka Okongwu in Fox Sports NBA Mock Draft

In Fox Sports’ latest NBA mock draft, Jason McIntyre has the Golden State Warriors landing USC’s Onyeka Okongwu with the first overall pick.

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With the Golden State Warriors season officially over, it’s time to flip the page to draft season. For the first time since 2002, the Golden State Warriors will have the opportunity to make a selection in the top-five picks.

While October’s draft is still months away, mock predictions are beginning to pour in for Golden State’s top selection. Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, Memphis big man James Wiseman, Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton and Florida State’s Devin Vassell have all had their names listed alongside the Warriors in mock drafts.

In Fox Sports’ latest mock draft, Jason McIntyre had Golden State landing USC’s Onyeka Okongwu with the first overall selection. According to McIntyre, adding the USC big man would bulk up Golden State’s defensive front.

Via Fox Sports:

The Warriors have the potential to be the third-best team in the West next season, and they will need perimeter defenders. Draymond Green and Okongwu would be a ferocious defensive tandem inside.

View McIntyre’s full mock draft via Fox Sports here.

In his freshman season in Southern California, the 19-year-old averaged 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks per contest. After an impressive debut season, the young Trojan earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honors.

In the latest Warriors Wire big board, Okongwu ranked No. 3 overall behind only Edwards and LaMelo Ball.

Okongwu has the refined defensive approach to immediately provide Golden State a fierce presence in the frontcourt. Adding the 6-foot-9 rookie next to Draymond Green gives Steve Kerr the opportunity for a bevy of versatile defensive looks. On the offensive side of the floor, Okongwu’s 7-foot-1 wingspan matched with his springy athletic ability equips the Warriors with a dangerous lob threat roaming the center of the court.

After going through a band of veteran frontcourt pieces, Okongwu, alongside Eric Paschall and Marquese Chriss, gives Golden State a new dynamic with three young, explosive options inside.

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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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