KEY POINTS

  • LaMelo Ball remains the favorite to be the top pick of the 2020 NBA Draft
  • Wiseman and Edwards could land on No. 2 
  • Open race looms from 4th to 10th spot at the 2020 NBA Draft

With roughly more than a week to go, LaMelo Ball still appears to be the frontline to be this year’s top pick at the 2020 NBA Draft.

It is no secret that the Minnesota Timberwolves have their eyes on the 19-year-old son of LaVar Ball to add some scoring spunk to their offense.

Ball going first has consistently been seen in various NBA mock drafts. Ironically, it remains a mystery why Anthony Edwards would be passed up.

But then again, there are other mock drafts such as this one from USA Today seeing the former Georgia Bulldog go at no. 1. He is billed as another reliable offensive player, someone who can do more.

Whoever is not taken at No. 1 will likely slide down to the third spot in the 2020 NBA Draft. And the reason behind that is because the Golden State Warriors are heavily linked to possibly taking in James Wiseman to fill their big man needs.

Both Yahoo Sports and USA Today see him gone at No. 2, meaning either Ball or Edwards will likely fall to the Charlotte Hornets.

The only thing certain right now is that these three players are expected to be out with the first three picks. From there, things will get pretty interesting with the fourth pick starting with the Chicago Bulls.

With much of the hype on Ball, Edwards and Wiseman, the next names being suggested include Deni Avdija and Obi Toppin. Both are offensively gifted, players who could fit in well with the new system of head coach Billy Donovan.

Whoever is left out will likely be picked up by the Cleveland Cavaliers. JB Bickerstaff is also looking for added firepower and adding either Avdija or Toppin would make sense.

The rest of the top 10 starting at the sixth spot will be a scramble for guards and forwards. The Atlanta Hawks need to get Trae Young some help, and Tyrese Haliburton could take some load off of him by helping in playmaking duties.

If head coach Lloyd Pierce opts for more scoring up front, Onyeka Okongwu could be a plausible choice.

From 7th to the 10th spot, here are the possible picks of the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns:

  • Detroit Pistons: Haliburton or Okongwu
  • New York Knicks: Killian Hayes
  • Washington Wizards: Isaac Okoro
  • Phoenix Suns: Tyrese Maxey
lameloball
LaMelo Ball at a practice session with Illawarra Hawks Lonzo Wire - USA Today