Fien's 2020 NBA Mock Draft 2.0 (With Trades!)

We're less than one week away, and things are heating up. Trade rumors and draft buzz have been swirling like never before. This is the perfect time for my 2nd mock draft of the year, and this one will include trades. As always, for more in depth analysis and comparisons for the induvial prospects, check out my big board.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves- Anthony Edwards, SG (Georgia)

No changes up at the top for me. Despite Draft Express's Jonathon Givnoy reporting that there is assumption around the league that LaMelo Ball will be the 1st overall pick, I still think they go with Edwards. I believe Minnesota is probably telling other teams they like Ball in hopes that a team who also likes him will give up a king's ransom for the 1st overall pick. I don't think it happens, and I think they'll be very happy with Anthony Edwards and his ability to score and defend, as he is the perfect complement next to D'Angelo Russell.

2. Golden State warriors- James Wiseman, c (Memphis)

The buzz around the league is that Warriors coach Steve Kerr is "locked in" on selecting James Wiseman. Could it be a smoke screen in hopes Charlotte moves up? Absolutely. I actually don't like this fit at all, but this mock is me trying to predict what's going to happen, not what I'd do. If I don't like the fit, then what do the Warriors see? Well they see a 7 footer with elite athleticism and potential shooting ability. The rim running lob threat has been a staple of the Warriors offense with guys like Javale McGee and Marquese Chriss, so it's easy to see why they like Wiseman in that role. My concerns with Wiseman (especially for the Warriors) are about his mental game. He's not a quick decision maker, he's undisciplined as a defender, and his shot selection is horrible. In a Golden State offense that is built upon always making the right play and making it quickly, he's definitely a questionable fit. Steve Kerr and the Warriors staff have to be believing that they can coach those things out of Wiseman and unlock his potential as a shooter.

3. Charlotte Hornets- Onyeka Okongwu, C (USC)

The Hornets have hit on some solid players in the last two drafts with forwards Miles Bridges and PJ Washington, and guard Devonte Graham. What they really need is a dominant big. They've overpaid tremendously for Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo in recent years, so it's pretty obvious that they put an emphasis on the importance of the center position. I know they really like Wiseman, and I think it's very possible they'll move up for him on draft night, but if he's off the board I know they also love Onyeka Okongwu. The big out of USC is a tantalizing NBA prospect with a unique combo of size, athleticism, defensive instinct, and playmaking ability. With shades of Bam Adebayo, the Hornets would be banking on the upside and development of Okongwu here at 3.

4. Chicago Bulls- *TRADE*

4. New York Knicks- LaMelo Ball, PG (USA/Illwara)

The Knicks give up #8, #27, and Dallas's 1st round pick next year in order to move up to #4 and take their PG of the future, LaMelo Ball. The Knicks are aggressive and are rewarded with a 6'7" PG who is already an elite playmaker and has loads of potential as a scorer. He'll take the reigns of the offense from day one, and has the freedom to be himself on the court. There's not really any guys he'll have to defer to in terms of scoring, allowing Ball the ability to showcase his skills right away. I worry about the hustle and bustle of New York, as well as the unruly New York Media, but I'm confident that LaMelo Ball always puts basketball first. It's not going to be all sunshine and rainbows for Ball or the Knicks, they're going to clash and Ball is going to have to show that he's coachable, especially on the defensive end.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers- Deni Avdija, SF (Israel)

This draft has shaken up perfectly for Cleveland, as they're sitting here at 5 staring three great forwards in the face. It's a tough call between Avdija, Toppin, and Okoro but I think Avdija is the pick here. Deni Avdija is a smooth forward with very high basketball IQ and really good playmaking ability for a forward. He's what I would call a point forward. Even though the Cavs do have some young talented point guards on the roster, neither of them really facilitate and run an offense like you'd like. Avidija solves that problem. He's also my favorite option of the forwards here because he provides something the others don't, shot creation. Cleveland needs bucket getters, and Avdija is exactly that. He's no slouch on the defensive end either, he plays hard and with good instincts on that end as well. I am especially excited about his fit next to Kevin Love.

6. Atlanta Hawks- *Trade*

6. New Orleans Pelicans- Isaac Okoro, SF (Auburn)

The Pelicans send Jrue Holiday to Atlanta for the 6th pick and Kevin Huerter. This allows Atlanta to compete for a playoff spot in the East as it gives them a great perimeter defender and second scorer who can create offense. For New Orleans, replacing Holiday will not be easy. Auburn's Isaac Okoro will look to fill Holiday's shoes on the defensive end especially. Okoro is a strong and fundamentally sound defender, capable of guarding 1-4 in the NBA. His jumpshot isn't quite there yet, but he's got a good feel for offense. He's a true slasher with really good cutting and diving ability, and an explosive athlete that finishes through traffic. If the Pelicans can continue to develop him as a shooter, Okoro would be really nice fit next to their young stars.

7. Detroit Pistons- Tyrese Haliburton, PG/ SG (Iowa State)

Tyrese Haliburton is probably the safest pick in this draft. I'm not sure if he'll ever be a superstar, but I do know he'll be an impactful player right away and for years to come. He's just too smart not to be. Elite basketball IQ offensively and defensively, as well as scoring ability. He's got a funky looking jumpshot, but it goes in. The Pistons just need a culture change. Haliburton would be a great leader and playmaker for Detroit.

8. Chicago Bulls- Killian Hayes, PG (France/Ratiopharm Ulm)

This might look like a weird fit on paper, but the Bulls shouldn't worry about fit. Sure they took a PG 7th overall last year, sure they have a really good SG in Zach LaVine, but I think Hayes is their best player available. Teams as bad as the Bulls should always take the best player available. It's not like Hayes can't work with those two, either. Hayes provides a level of shot creation and playmaking that just isn't there with Coby White, and defense that isn't there with Lavine. Hayes would probably begin the season as the backup point guard and be handed the keys to the second unit, but if his shots are falling early, he should earn big minutes. I'm not convinced that Coby White is really the long term solution at point guard either.

9. Washington Wizards- Obi Toppin, PF (Dayton)

I think the Wizards would be crushed to see Onyeka Okongwu get drafted 3rd overall, they're super high on him. Obi Toppin falling to 9 is a real nice consolation prize though. If Toppin were to fall this far, it's because teams are turned off by the fact that he's already 22. Oddly enough, I think it makes a lot of sense for the Wizards to take an older, more experienced, proven prospect. The window for this team is closing fast. With PG John Wall finally healthy again, the Wizards are going to have to make some decisions with him and the rest of this roster very soon. Toppin is ready to play right away. He'll do a little bit of everything for you, and could play at the 4 or some small ball 5 with good floor spacing and shooting ability.

10. Phoenix Suns- Devin Vassell, SF (Florida State)

The Suns are officially in win now mode, as their red hot bubble play has them thinking they're one piece away from competing. Chris Paul coming in is a perfect fit, as they get a leader and facilitator for this young Suns team. Now they need a wing to replace the production if Kelly Oubre. Devin Vassell the perfect pick here. Vassell is a lengthy wing with a sweet shooting stroke and insane athleticism. He’ll probably come off the bench and play a hybrid 3/4 role, giving the Suns another solid young wing.

11. San Antonio Spurs- Patrick Williams, SF/PF (Florida State)

The Spurs just saw their historic playoff streak come to an end, and with trade rumors centered around Demar Derozan and LaMarcus Aldridge swirling, it might be time to press the reset button. The first step to retooling this team is selecting Florida State's Patrick Williams. Williams is a versatile physical specimen of a basketball player that has NBA scouts drooling. With his size, athleticism, and quickness he's got scouts thinking he could guard 1-5 at the NBA level. He's also got a bit of a jumpshot, and his free throw percentage suggests he could develop into an above average shooter.

12. Sacramento Kings- *TRADE*

12. Boston Celtics- Jalen Smith, PF/C (Maryland)

If you've been keeping up with all my NBA Draft stuff you'd know of the conundrum the Celtics are in. They physically cannot use all of their draft picks due to an almost full roster. So they use the 26th pick to move up two spots and draft Jalen Smith. It's rumored the Pelicans (who pick next at 13) like Smith a lot and he'd be a perfect fit with their roster, so the Celtics get aggressive and jump them to secure their guy. Smith is a rim protecting 7 footer with really good 3 point shooting ability. It's easy to envision him fitting in well in Boston.

13. New Orleans Pelicans- Aleksej Pokusevski, SF/PF (Serbia)

The Pelicans traded Jrue Holiday for Kevin Huerter and the 6th pick (who they used to draft Isaac Okoro), so what they need to do now is continuing filling their roster with young guys with upside. They have virtually no holes in their roster, maybe aside from a floor spacing center. With Jalen Smith gone, the logical pick is Poku. He's a true 7 footer who moves and shoots like a guard. The term "unicorn" has been used a lot to describe these tall European prospects who can shoot, but Poku is truly one of a kind. He's skinny as a bean pole, but if he puts on muscle and continues to develop, we could be looking at another Giannis like pick.

14. Sacramento Kings- Kira Lewis, PG (Alabama)

The Kings picked up an extra 1st round pick from Boston and still got who I believe is their guy. Rumors have been swirling about Lewis and the Kings, and while I don't love the pick, I can see the vision. Lewis is the fastest player in this draft and has a similar playstyle as the Kings current PG De'Aron Fox. The Kings could have Lewis run the second unit, and could even play the two together to really play uptempo. Lewis is a good shooter off the catch, but he'll need to learn to be a little more active off the ball to be effective in that role.

15. Orlando Magic- Cole Anthony, PG (North Carolina)

Anthony is undoubtedly one of the most gifted players in this class when it comes to skill, but his mental errors and shot selection hurt him badly at UNC. I'm not a big Cole Anthony guy at all, but I actually loves this fit here. The Magic have needed PG production for what seems like forever, and Anthony has the opportunity to provide that. I really think a supporting cast lead by Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier really play well into his strengths. With a little coaching, Anthony could be that pick that in 5 years we look back and say, "How the hell did he fall to the 15th pick?"

16. Portland Trailblazers- Saddiq Bey, SF/PF (Villanova)

Bey's not a great athlete and doesn't have any elite NBA skills, but he does a little of everything. He'd be a great glue guy for this Blazers team. Bey can play a backup combo forward role and has the ability to earn significant minutes rather quickly if he shoots the ball like he did last season at Villanova. Bey knocked down 45% of his 3 point attempts for the Wildcats. He's also a resilient and competitive defender, so it's easy to project him as a contributing 3 and D forward right away.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves- Precious Achuiwa, SF/PF (Memphis)

The second pick of the night for the Timberwolves, they decide to select someone with defensive versatility and upside. Coming in at 6'9" 225 lbs with good speed and athleticism, Achuiwa has scouts drooling about his potential as a versatile defender who can matchup with 3's, 4's, and small ball 5's. He also made 32.5% of his 3 point attempts in college, so he could be an impactful 3 and D player sooner rather than later.

18. Dallas Mavericks- Aaron Nesmith, SG/SF (Vanderbilt)

Nesmith is probably the best perimeter shooter in this draft. He shot over 50% from 3 and made more than four 3s a game in his 14 games at Vandy this year. His season was cut short due to a season ending injury, so durability and his ability to be ready for the start of the season are both question marks at this point and that's why he's fallen as far as he has. The Mavericks always are going to be looking for shooters, and Nesmith is exactly that. If he's healthy he could be a valuable backup wing for Luka and company.

19. Brooklyn Nets- Jaden McDaniels, PF (Washington)

I believe the Nets are seeking wing depth and shooting. Guys like Vassell, Bey, and Naismith would be perfect in Brooklyn, but they have to "settle" for Jaden McDaniels. McDaniels has good upside given his size and freakish athleticism, and at they very worst he would be a versatile rotational defender capable of guarding NBA forwards. He shot 34% from 3 in college, so the ability is there. If he becomes a steady shooter in catch and shoot situations, the Nets could have found a diamond in the rough.

20. Miami Heat- RJ Hampton, PG (USA/NZ Breakers)

I think the Heat would love to trade this pick for someone that can help them defend their Eastern Conference Title, but if no trade materializes before draft night I believe they'll stick to their board and draft the best player available. Drafting Hampton would virtually push ROY runner up Kendrick Nunn out the rotation, assuming Goran Dragic comes back. If the Heat aren't ready to fold on Nunn yet, they could G-League Hampton and bring him along slowly in hopes that he takes over Dragic's role in 2021-22. At the very worst Hampton would be some nice trade bait for the next two years.

21. Philadelphia 76ers- Malachi Flynn, PG (San Diego State)

I would say the two biggest needs for the 76ers are shooting and a secondary playmaker. Malachi Flynn is the perfect prospect for those two needs. Flynn is a knockdown shooter who also has a lot of ability as a shot creator. He's also got a solid overall feel for the game and reads defenses well. The 76ers offense looked lost at times last year when Ben Simmons wasn't running the point, and Flynn would fix that problem with his scoring ability and playmaking instincts.

22. Denver Nuggets- Josh Green, SG/SF (Arizona)

The Nuggets pick Josh Green here because they need wing depth, perimeter defense help, and could use some more shooting. Green is 6'6" 210 lbs and has long arms and elite athleticism. He was a great defender in college, and will be in the NBA too. He's working on his 3 point shot but it's not there yet. His defense alone will earn him minutes as a backup 2 or 3, and he has the ability to be something special if he starts hitting 3s.

23. Utah Jazz- Theo Maledon, PG (France/ASVEL)

The Mike Conley experience in Utah has not gone the way the Jazz had hoped, and backup PG Emmanuel Mudiay is set to hit the free agent market. That makes PG the easy choice here for the Jazz. The question is, which one? In my opinion, Theo Maledon is a good fit in Utah. Maledon is just 19 years old and is a pass first guard by trait. He does shot the ball well too though, as he was a career 36% 3 point shooter in his overseas career. Maledon lacks some aggressiveness when it comes to scoring, but the Jazz don't necessarily need another scoring guard. The Jazz should bring Maledon off the bench while Conley plays out the final year of his contract, and if they like what they see, they could potentially have their point guard of the future.

24. Milwaukee Bucks- Tyrese Maxey, SG (Kentucky)

I could see Maxey going much higher than this, but I think some scouts have concerns with him being only 6'3" as an NBA 2 guard. The Bucks just need a dude that can play at a high level. Maxey is a scrapper who excels as a mid range shot creator and hangs his hat on his defensive effort. He should be able to contribute as a spark plug scorer and perimeter defender, and I think Milwaukee should develop him as a point guard who'd be able to run their 2nd unit in the future.

25. Phoenix Suns- Tyler Bey, PF (Colorado)

The Suns got this pick from OKC in the Chris Paul trade in exchange for the 10th pick, Kelly Oubre, and Ricky Rubio. Paul obviously absorbs all of Rubio's minutes, so what they need to do now is find someone to fill Oubre's role. Bey could do that. He was the PAC-12 defensive player of the year and could be a versatile defender at the NBA level. He's also a great athlete and good shooter. He shot 42% from 3 this past season.

26. Sacramento Kings- Isaiah Stewart, C (Washington)

Isaiah Stewart stays in purple, as he heads to Sacramento with the pick the Kings got from Boston. The Kings are really lacking an inside bruiser so guys like Stewart or Duke's Vernon Carey would make sense. Stewart is a little shorter (6'9") than you'd like for an NBA center, but his big body and elite strength gives you confidence that he'd hold his own. He showed a good ability to make face up jumpers, and his 77% shooting from the line is promising in terms of his development as a 3 point shooter in the NBA.

27. New York Knicks- Tre Jones, PG (Duke)

The former teammate of last year's 3rd overall pick RJ Barrett, Tre Jones brings heart and playmaking ability to a Knicks team that lacks leadership. Tre Jones is a very solid individual and team defender and it showed at Duke, as he averaged nearly 2 steals a game in his 2 year NCAA career. He dished out more than 6 assists a game, and also shot 36% from 3. I think Jones is who the Knicks wanted 2017 8th overall pick Frank Ntilikina to be. I love this fit. Jones would provide much needed leadership and grit to a young roster.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder- Tyrell Terry, PG (Stanford)

The Thunder acquired this pick from the Lakers for PG Dennis Schroeder, so it only makes sense they try to fill that void with another guard with scoring ability. Tyrell Terry is a polarizing prospect that I could see going much higher than this, but if he doesn't then the Thunder should jump on the opportunity to draft him. His game needs a lot of work and so does his body, but his deep range shooting ability and his overall playmaking skills make him worthy of being a first round pick.

29. Toronto Raptors- Xavier Tillman, C (Michigan State)

The Raptors are looking like they'll lose bigs Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol in free agency, so that's an obvious need. I think Tillman is more polished than Vernon Carey and is the better fir in terms of the winning culture the Raptors are looking for. He was the Big-10 defensive player of the year and it was easy to see why on film. He's an elite shot blocker and rim protector at only 6'9" and is also impressive on the perimeter. He could very easily be a versatile and impactful pick and roll defender right away.

30. Boston Celtics- Leandro Bolmaro, SG/SF (Argentina/FC Barcelona)

This pick is truly a best case scenario for both the Celtics and Bolmaro. We know the Celtics have roster issues, so why not draft a promising player in Bolmaro and "draft and stash" him? The Celtics should draft him then let him develop his game in Spain for another year. The Celtics don't have to use a roster spot on him, and Bolmaro gets another year to work on his evolving game. Bolmaro is a crafty wing with good basketball IQ and has the potential to be a good scorer as well. Another year overseas could be very beneficial for him in terms of getting his shot right and just improving his all around game.