NBA draft speculation is intensifying with the big event less only a week away.
The conclusion of the Finals in October heralded the unofficial arrival of draft season, and the rumor mill has been humming. Accordingly, a few notable reports and developments appear to have prompted some interesting shifts in many mocks.
However, despite the usual buzz, the basic contours of the top of the 2020 NBA Draft appear to be unchanged from the early spring, when the college season ended, and many international leagues were paused.
The top three prospects seem to have preserved their standing in that tier -- but several media reports have suggested one or more trades could be in the offing, which would make sense given the teams involved.
Obviously trades are hard to predict, so we'll stick with the draft order as it presently stands before our final mock ahead of the Nov. 18 event.
Top 3: The consensus
1. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Wiseman, C, Memphis
2. Golden State Warriors - Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia
3. Charlotte Hornets - LaMelo Ball, G, Illawarra Hawks (National Basketball League)
Reports have tied the Wolves to both Edwards and Ball -- or even trading out of the top spot. So maybe it's all a smoke screen, and they end up taking Wiseman. He's a generational talent athletically, and probably ready to contribute right away defensively, which wouldn't be the worst thing with Karl-Anthony Towns in a stretch-five role.
The Warriors would presumably be thrilled to have Edwards fall in their lap, though they too are said to be interested in trading back in search of a more pro-ready player to plug into their veteran lineup.
The Hornets will presumably take whichever of the big three is still on the board when they pick. GM Mitch Kupchak is on the record as saying the team's general philosophy is to take the best player available rather than trying to draft for fit.
4-9: The wild cards
4. Chicago Bulls - Tyrese Halliburton, G, Iowa State
5. Cleveland Cavaliers - Isaac Okoro, F, Auburn
6. Atlanta Hawks - Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv (Basketball Premier League)
7. Detroit Pistons - Killian Hayes, G, Ulm (Basketball Bundesliga)
8. New York Knicks - Tyrese Maxsey, G, Kentucky
9. Washington Wizards - Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
Halliburton appears to have some helium heading into the draft. His crafty offensive game, which features both sharpshooting and nifty passing, could fit on a lot of teams, and could give the Bulls' back court a different look with usage-heavy guys like Zach LaVine and Coby White.
Scouts love Okoro's high energy and smart, tough defense, though he'll have to develop his offensive game if he's going to be more than a glue guy, something the Cavaliers could use to bring together their disparate parts.
The Hawks are rumored to be interested in trading up, which makes sense given it feels like they're somewhat in no man's land at No. 6. With three guards and a wing already off our mock board, it might be a reach for them to take someone like Maxsey or Devin Vassell in their current spot. Here they take Avdija, an intriguing combo forward with a unique offensive game, potentially a stretch complement to John Collins' rim attack.
Hayes has steadily climbed up draft boards in recent months after a strong showing in Germany. He has expressed interest in playing with Pistons 2019 draft pick Sekou Doumbouya, a teammate in France, and has reportedly developed relationships in the Pistons organization. He makes sense on a rebuilding team in need of young backcourt talent.
The Knicks have been tied to Maxsey in reports, partly because of his Kentucky ties to New York assistant Kenny Payne. The one-and-done native Texan also reportedly looked good in pre-draft summer workouts, and the Knicks are said to covet his motor and attitude. His lone season in Lexington was uneven, but there's definitely potential.
The Wizards meanwhile would likely be elated to land Okongwu at No. 10, which would represent a fairly substantial slide for a player who some say is the best in this class outside of Ball, Edwards and Wiseman. The Wiz have at least one center in Thomas Bryant, but Okongwu could help transform one of the worst defensive teams in the league from a year ago.
10-14: Value picks
10. Phoenix Suns - Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
11. San Antonio Spurs - Patrick Williams, F, Florida State
12. Sacramento Kings - Devin Vassell, G, Florida State
13. New Orleans Pelicans - Aaron Nesmith, F, Vanderbilt
14. Boston Celtics - Kira Lewis Jr., G, Alabama
Toppin, too, could be a slide candidate -- or potentially be the first or second pick after the top 3. He's a relatively polished product at age 22, but his offensive game is mostly limited to dunks, and there are concerns about his defense. Williams is an athletic freak and the youngest player in the draft at 19, and Vassell could sneak into the top 10 with his silky shooting.
Nesmith drilled over half(!) his shots from downtown for Vanderbilt last season, a skill that will play anywhere. He could be another interesting weapon on a growing Pelicans team. The speedy Lewis would give the Celtics a much-needed ball handler in the back court behind Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart.