NBA Mock Draft 2020: LaMelo Ball picked No. 1 by Timberwolves, James Wiseman goes No. 2 to Warriors – CBS Sports

None of the players in contention for the top spot are perfect fits in Minnesota. So the Timberwolves should just take the best prospect available. And, in my mind, that player is LaMelo Ball, the 6-7 point guard who sees things, and makes plays, in ways most prospects his age cannot.

I’ve gone back and forth on whether the Warriors should, and will, select Anthony Edwards or James Wiseman — if they even execute this pick. For now, I’ll go with Wiseman, a physical specimen who also fills an obvious need.

If you’re the Hornets, you’re thrilled the person some have labeled the best prospect in this draft falls to you at No. 3. Anthony Edwards has an NBA-ready body and should be able to add scoring immediately.

Obi Toppin is a former zero-star recruit who became the National Player of the Year at Dayton. I’d personally make him the favorite to be Rookie of the Year while helping Billy Donovan establish a culture that eventually brings the Bulls back to respectability.

The Cavaliers would likely be thrilled if Deni Avdija were available at No. 5. The 6-9 forward is a great playmaker who is widely regarded as this draft’s best international prospect.

Tyrese Haliburton is a guard with size who can really shoot it. He’d be perfect in Atlanta because he can play behind Trae Young or right beside him as a 6-5 shooter.

Isaac Okoro is an elite defender who impacts winning in a variety of ways. If he develops offensively, the potential for stardom exists.

Some front offices have Killian Hayes as a possible top-five pick, others have him outside of the top 10. Whether he’s worthy of being selected this high will ultimately come down to whether his 3-point shot develops to the point where he’s a reliable shooter as a lead guard playing next to RJ Barrett.

Onyeka Okongwu is a versatile frontcourt player who shot 61.6% from the field in his one season at USC. It’s possible he could go in the top five — but if he slips this far, the Wizards should enthusiastically select him.

Saddiq Bey developed in two years at Villanova into a wing with size who shot 45.1% from 3-point range as a sophomore. His ability to guard multiple positions and make open jumpers could help the Suns make the playoff push they appear ready to make after completing a deal for Chris Paul.

Devin Vassell made 41.7% of his 3-point attempts over the past two seasons at Florida State. He’s a wing with size who could, as a rookie, help the Spurs return to the postseason.

The Kings are a talented team — but just average from beyond the arc. So adding Aaron Nesmith, arguably the best shooter available in this draft, could provide instant improvement.

The Pelicans reportedly shopping Jrue Holiday could make taking a point guard a priority in the lottery. Kira Lewis made 48.8% of his 3-point attempts in Alabama’s final seven games, which suggests he could be the type of backcourt shooter New Orleans needs to properly build around Zion Williamson.

The Celtics need point guard depth — especially with Kemba Walker being a 30-year-old who is coming off of a disappointing postseason. Cole Anthony, once considered a likely top-five pick, could provide real scoring off the bench as a rookie and eventually develop into a starter.

Patrick Williams only shot 32.0% from 3-point range in his one season at Florida State — but still projects as an interesting prospect on the wing. He’d be a total upside selection for Orlando.

The Blazers need to add backcourt depth to decrease the workload for Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. RJ Hampton makes a lot of sense because of his ability to play either guard position.

Reasonable minds can disagree on whether Precious Achiuwa will develop into an offensive threat or forever be little more than a high-energy big who plays center in small-ball lineups. But his athleticism, productivity at Memphis, and ability to guard multiple positions are enough to make him worth any pick at this point in the draft.

Tyrese Maxey was inconsistent and mostly underwhelming in his one season at Kentucky. But most still believe he’s a talented-enough combo guard who will be able to score in the NBA.

The Nets already have two stars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The next step is getting the proper pieces around them, and a big who can stretch the floor like Jalen Smith is the type of center who could work well with the future Hall of Famers who are trying to win big in Brooklyn now.

The Heat could use a backup point guard who could eventually replace Goran Dragic in the starting lineup. Tre Jones, a tenacious defender who shot 36.1% from beyond the arc as a sophomore at Duke, is the best available here.

The Sixers are no longer committed to playing Ben Simmons at point guard. That makes Theo Maledon a sensible option because he’s a skilled primary ball-handler with plenty of room to grow.

Isaiah Stewart was perhaps the only bright spot in Washington’s disappointing season. He’s an undersized center — but one who figures to be productive thanks to a good motor and intriguing skillset.

Josh Green remains a work in progress, as he’s not really a reliable playmaker yet. But the 6-6 wing is a high-level athlete who definitely has the potential to develop into someone worthy of being selected in the 20s.

Malachi Flynn isn’t as tall as anybody would like or an explosive athlete. But he’s a great run-your-team point guard who shot 37.3% from 3-point range last season at San Diego State.

Oklahoma City is rebuilding and in possession of so many future first-round picks that it can afford to take a flyer on somebody like Jaden McDaniels. The 6-9 forward was disappointing in his one season at Washington but still possesses the natural talent that intrigues front offices.

The Celtics have three first-round picks and barely any room on the roster. So Leandro Bolmaro is an obvious possibility because he’s already committed to playing in Barcelona next season.

The Knicks need to add shooting — and Desmond Bane is an accomplished shooter. The 6-6 guard made 44.2% of his 3-point shots last season at TCU.

The Lakers will make this pick on behalf of the Thunder. Aleksej Pokusevski, a 7-foot wing who is very skilled and capable of shooting from deep, is a talented prospect ideally suited for the type of rebuild Oklahoma City is about to go through.

Fred VanVleet is an unrestricted free agent who could leave Toronto, which might make selecting a point guard a priority with the 29th pick. At this point in this mock draft, the best available is Michigan State’s Cassius Winston.

The Celtics need to upgrade in the middle — and Vernon Carey could become that in time. He’s more of a traditional center than a modern frontcourt player, but he was Duke’s best player last season and worth a serious look this late in the first round.