Tag: Patrick Williams

2020 NBA aggregate mock draft 8.0: Draft day ranges for top prospects

The 2020 NBA draft is fairly unpredictable and prospects have wider ranges in where they could get selected when it is all said and done. 

The 2020 NBA draft is fairly unpredictable and prospects have wider ranges in where they could get selected when it is all said and done.

We looked at mock drafts from NBADraft.net, ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, The Ringer, Stadium, SI.com, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire, USA Today and Yahoo to give us a more clear understanding of consensus rankings and projections.

This also provided context for realistic high-end and low-end predictions for the players most often included in mock drafts.

Please note that the range included for each player is not based on our own reporting or intel and it only reflects the data pulled from the various mock drafts.

The full list of our latest aggregate mock draft rankings can be found here. HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report.

CBS Sports mock draft: Thunder take Patrick Williams at No. 25

In an NBA mock draft by CBS Sports, the Oklahoma City Thunder took Patrick Williams out of Florida State University.

If the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking for a high-potential developmental project in the 2020 NBA Draft, there may be no better outcome for them than a recent CBS Sports mock draft.

In this projection, CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander had the Thunder taking Patrick Williams with the No. 25 pick.

The Florida State forward, who turned 19 in August, is listed at 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan.

He averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block per game. He shot 50.3% from 2 and 32% from 3.

His film looks better than those stats. He is already a solid defender, and he’s a better passer than the one assist per game appears on paper.

Norlander wrote:

“Great wingspan, great defender, great potential for the FSU freshman who thrived despite creating exactly zero headlines this past season. The overall production for Williams wasn’t there, but he’ll be able to guard 1-4 at the next level and he’ll fit in as a rangy wing who can supplement a good team’s roster.”

Williams defended the post rather well and, offensively, he has shown glimpses of being able to drive and pull up himself.

With Danilo Gallinari’s contract expiring, the Thunder will look for a stretch-four option. Williams, if he develops properly, could be that.

He may not last until the Thunder’s pick, though. He has been a lottery pick in the 11-14 range of many mock drafts. If he is still around at pick 25, Oklahoma City would be smart to grab him.

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Patrick Williams, Precious Achiuwa and Tyrese Maxey most common picks for Pelicans in mock drafts

With the Pelicans likely targeting wings and outside shooters, names like Patrick Williams, Precious Achiuwa and Tyrese Maxey come up often.

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While the general consensus for the New Orleans Pelicans is that they should target wing and outside shooting prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft. But as is often the case late in the lottery, the exact prospect they should target has varied widely.

HoopsHype’s Bryan Kalbrosky’s latest aggregate mock draft included the most common landing spots for prospects. For the Pelicans, the most common prospects to land at pick No. 13 were Precious Achiuwa of Memphis, Patrick Williams of Florida State and Tyrese Maxey of Kentucky.

Achiuwa and Williams are more natural 3&D players that have been slated to the Pelicans in previous mock drafts. Maxey, though, is less of a 3&D option and another potential guard the team could add to their young core.

Maxey was not a great shooter last season, shooting just 29.2% from range on 3.6 attempts per game. He was, however, strong in transition opportunities at 1.235 points per possession. Transition was the second-most common action for the Pelicans this season, per Synergy. Maxey also was an 86th percentile pick-and-roll player for Kentucky as well.

While those three were the most common, a host of other names were close behind. Aaron Nesmith of Vanderbilt, Saddiq Bey of Villanova and Devin Vassell of Florida State all were mocked to the Pelicans as well. Each would represent a more common 3&D option for New Orleans next season.

As the Pelicans narrow in on prospect targets, it appears likely that 3&D players will be the focus with a host of options available.

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Knicks interested in Florida State’s Devin Vassell

If New York decides to take the best player available at eight, regardless of position, players like Auburn’s Isaac Okoro, Florida State’s Devin Vassell and Patrick Williams could be there. Dayton’s Obi Toppin is unlikely to be on the board at eight. Vassell, it’s worth noting, has some fans at Madison Square Garden, sources say.

New Orleans Pelicans projected to draft Patrick Williams in CBS Sports mock draft

In the final pre-lottery mock draft from CBS Sports on Wednesday, Kyle Boone projected the Pelicans to take Patrick Williams of FSU.

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In the final pre-lottery mock draft from CBS Sports on Wednesday, Kyle Boone projected the New Orleans Pelicans to take a wing player from Florida State. Unlike a handful of previous mock drafts, though, it was not guard/forward Devin Vassell but instead forward Patrick Williams.

A far more raw prospect, Williams is a 6’8″ win player that didn’t have the production of others but has the always-valued potential.

Here’s Boone’s take on Williams with the Pelicans:

“As a freshman at Florida State last season, Patrick Williams’ numbers weren’t eye-popping — he was just a high-level role player who did a lot of things well without much fanfare. But scouts I’ve talked to rave about him and his NBA potential because of his size (6-8), wingspan (6-11) and defensive playmaking potential. Wings with his skill and feel don’t come around often. He’s a raw product offensively and there’s physical development that may be needed before he reaches his potential, but teams see in him a role player in the NBA like he was in college, and that’s a perfect fit in New Orleans with a star like Zion Williamson already in place.”

With the bevy of draft picks the Pelicans will have this season and in coming years, the team can afford to draft players on potential and look to swing big.

Last season, Williams averaged 9.2 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game in 22.5 minutes per game. He did only hit 32.0% of his 1.7 three-point attempts per game. Williams would fill a specific need for the Pelicans as a wing player that can help provide size and length to the team.

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Texas is now targeting a four-star offensive tackle out of Dickinson

Texas offered a four-star offensive tackle out of Dickinson High School on Friday.

On the same day that the Brockermeyer twins announced their commitment to Alabama over Texas, the Longhorns sent an offer to a four-star offensive tackle out of Dickinson. Continue reading “Texas is now targeting a four-star offensive tackle out of Dickinson”

3 players the Golden State Warriors could reach for in the NBA Draft

Despite Golden State’s slated high draft pick, could the team reach for a player that fits over a prospect with potential?

No matter the draft pick, there are always labels attached after the selection. Upside, boom or bust, sleeper and reach are all terms that are consistently thrown out when draft season arrives. These types of tags are especially heavy when drafting in the lottery — something the Golden State Warriors haven’t had to worry about over the past five seasons.

For the first time in years, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr will be tasked with finding a blue-chip prospect at the top of the NBA draft. Golden State’s 15-50 record has set them up for an early pick in the 2020 edition of the draft.

Golden State should have the chance to add a top-billed prospect like Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman or Obi Toppin when they’re on the clock. Along with the aforementioned trio, LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu lead most 2020 draft big boards. However, what if the Warriors decide to go outside of the box with their top-pick?

While the term reach is generally considered a negative when it comes to draft season, the Warriors could look to target a specific player that will help them get back to the playoffs as soon as next season.

Instead of a player that’s marked as a project with potential, the Warriors could reach for a prospect that would fit nicely alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

Warriors Wire looked at three prospects the Warriors could potentially reach for in the draft.

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2020 NBA Draft: Nets’ 5 best options in first round

The Brooklyn Nets are projected to have the 20th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, though that could change if the league manages to resume play.

It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the 2020 NBA Draft is pushed back. The 2020 Draft Lottery and Combine have both been delayed, and with the league making progress toward continuing the 2019-20 season in some form, it seems reasonable to expect this year’s draft won’t take place on its originally scheduled date.

Since there hasn’t been official word yet on anything, NBA front offices have to be prepared to make decisions regarding this year’s draft class soon. The Brooklyn Nets have picks from the Philadelphia 76ers — which is projected at No. 20 right now — and the Denver Nuggets — projected at No. 55.

Now, the Nets could use one or both of the picks to make a move for a veteran. But if they elect to use their pick, they should have some solid options.

Here are the five players who are the best fit for the Nets in this year’s draft at No. 20, based on mock draft projections:

5. Jalen Smith | Maryland | Forward

Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
STATS: 15.5 PPG | 10.5 RPG | 36.8 3-PT%

Marc Berman of the New York Post has “Kevin Durant’s win-now Nets” taking Smith because he can provide instant help off the bench. Smith certainly has talent and offers something neither DeAndre Jordan or Jarrett Allen can with his 3-point shooting.

But with those two bigs in front of him, and the Nets looking for veterans more so than young guys, he doesn’t seem like the best fit.

Now, if the Nets decide to include Allen in a package to get a third star, then Smith would climb up this list. At that point, he’d be a great fit for Brooklyn.

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2020 aggregate NBA mock draft 5.0: International prospects are rising

Scouting and preparing for the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft is incredibly challenging due to circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Scouting and preparing for the upcoming 2020 NBA draft is incredibly challenging due to circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

As always, we examine the mock drafts from the most trusted analysts to give us the best idea of a consensus for what the upcoming class will look like in June. The latest 2020 NBA mock drafts from experts at ESPN, CBS Sports, SI.com, Bleacher Report, NBADraft.net, The Athletic, SB Nation, Sporting News and USA Today Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire were used for these rankings.

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Currently, the first three players expected to be selected (Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman) have remained in the exact same order for the third aggregate mock draft in a row.

After dropping from No. 5 all the way to No. 11 between December and January, Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Deni Avdija has jumped back to No. 4 for this version.

He played well recently at the 2020 Eurobasket Qualifiers, scoring 21 points with eight rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal while also shooting 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. This was a welcome change of pace for scouts hoping to learn as much as possible about Avdija as he had averaged just 4.0 points in 14.3 minutes in Euroleague games earlier this season.

Several other prospects playing overseas have seen their stock increase as well. This makes some sense considering many in the NCAA rely on their performance in March Madness to solidify their draft position whereas the international players gain momentum in other ways.

Killian Hayes, who was ranked No. 18 overall on our last aggregate mock draft, jumped up to No. 8 for this edition. The 6-foot-5 guard was 14-for-61 (39 percent) from 3-point range while also connecting on 90.9 percent of his free-throw attempts during Eurocup action. Several outlets are currently projecting him as a Top 5 pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

Another prospect playing outside of the United States but currently making waves is Leandro Bolmaro. He debuted on our aggregate mock draft in the most recent edition before this one but has jumped all the way to No. 29 this time around.

Meanwhile, in the NCAA, some college basketball players managed to make some serious momentum for themselves before the season was unexpectedly cut short. Some of those players are seniors Killian Tillie (Gonzaga), Grant Riller (Charleston), Udoka Azubuike (Kansas) and Desmond Bane (TCU).

As mentioned here, it makes sense for upperclassmen to be more appealing in this class than in previous years. Seniors have far more game film to draw film which may be necessary considering individual team workouts and even the 2020 NBA Draft Combine may be canceled. Plus, older players are likely more ready to contribute immediately.

On the flip side, there are freshmen around the country who have seen their draft stock drastically decline in recent months.

Oregon’s N’Faly Dante has fallen off our boards completely after playing just twelve games and making no appearances in the starting lineup. Kahlil Whitney, who was considered a lottery pick when we did this exercise in October 2019, also dropped off after withdrawing from Kentucky.

Some other freshmen who saw their draft stock fall: Duke’s Matthew Hurt was ranked No. 16 overall back in October but is now at No. 76 overall. LSU’s Trendon Watford was ranked No. 14 in October but has fallen to No. 63. Florida’s Scottie Lewis was No. 9 in July and is currently No. 53 overall.

Less drastic but still valid: Arizona’s Nico Mannion has fallen from No. 6 back in January 2020 all the way to No. 16 now in April. Likewise, UNC’s Cole Anthony dropped from No. 2 back in July 2019 to No. 10 in our new study.

But some encouraging news for prospects who were considered Top-25 recruits coming out of high school but had a disappointing freshman year (e.g. Duke’s Wendell Moore as well as the aforementioned Dante, Whitney, Watford, Hurt and Lewis) can be found in Kentucky’s Immanuel Quickley.

The 6-foot-3 guard was the No. 13 overall recruit in the nation coming into Kentucky as a freshman. But after averaging just 5.2 points as a freshman, he returned for his sophomore campaign.

Fortunately, the SEC Player of the Year dramatically improved his draft stock in 2019-20. His season was highlighted by 21.3 points per game in February and a free throw percentage (92.3%) that ranked as the sixth-best among all underclassmen. This month, he debuted on our aggregate mock draft at No. 42 overall.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report.

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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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