T$ Big Board 2020

Strange year, strange draft class. Another year of the T$ Big Board, brought to you by the gross ads on WordPress Mobile. Let’s get it.

Consideration was not given to which teams are slotted in which draft position; this is a straightforward talent ranking, regardless of specific team needs. This year brings a particularly interesting challenge to talent evaluators given the lack of games played for the younger prospects, not to mention a shaky class to begin with. While the draft lacks obvious star power at the top, I see a number of players that can contribute to NBA benches immediately with the typical upside you’ve come to expect. My thoughts:

1. ANTHONY EDWARDS

Player Comparisons: Victor Oladipo, More Athletic Norman Powell

I know that I may have lost some of you with the second comp, but stick with me here. While this draft class is more about role players and less about upside, Anthony Edwards gives us some superstar hope with the first slot. An explosive athlete, Edwards is fluid with the ball in his hands and a force of nature around the rim for a guard. Some see him as a workout warrior but I think he has a great head on his shoulders and is smart enough to learn from his mistakes at Georgia where he frequently dribbled into trouble. Whoever takes Anthony is going to need to help him mature and work on his jumper, but his competitiveness and athleticism have him positioned as the player that I am most excited about in the 2020 draft.

2. PRECIOUS ACHIUWA

Player Comparisons: Longer Kenneth Faried, Miles Bridges

Now, THIS is prototypical the new age NBA Center. It was a blessing in disguise for Precious that Wiseman walked away this past year as it gave him the ability to play more in the paint at Memphis. With a 7’2″ wingspan, Achiuwa regularly flashed extremely impressive defensive possessions this past year where he would recover from 2-3 switches and make a quick twitch play. He is very much a project on the offensive end, but someone that I think can defend 1 through 5 at the NBA level. For any team with established guard play, this could be an insane value to plug into the lineup.

3. LAMELO BALL

Player Comparisons: Rajon Rondo

LaMelo has lived a unique basketball life in the spotlight ever since his father unleashed his personality on the masses. Fresh off a strange year in Australia, Ball brings genius level passing along with head-scratching, borderline dumb defense to the NBA. The floor vision of LaMelo is potentially the most impressive skill that any prospect brings in the 2020 draft, and if given the keys to an offense he will surely excel. The “star mentality” and shot selection for Ball is what is preventing me from putting him higher on this list. His consistently awful shooting streaks serve as a de-facto increase to his turnover ratio in my mind. I am a believer that he will settle into a solid NBA player but I would view him as having the widest range of possible outcomes in the top 5.

4. JaMES WISEMAN

Player Comparisons: Clint Capela, Hassan Whiteside

While he only gave us a glimpse of his potential against collegiate competition, this is a modern NBA big. After shutting down his season at Memphis amidst NCAA investigation, Wiseman spent the past ten months packing on muscle and perfecting his face up game for the next level. You can’t teach 7’1″, and he is a cagey enough defender to fill up the stat sheet with blocks and boards from day 1. Wiseman’s offensive game is untested and raw but projects to be an accessory in pick and roll play. As long as he isn’t asked to do too much offensively out of the gate, he profiles to be the premier big in this draft.

5. AARON NESMITH

Player Comparisons: Joe Johnson, Jodie Meeks

For my money, Nesmith is the most talented shooter in this draft. His mechanics are strong and he demonstrated the ability to score in a variety of ways (off screens, in transition, spot up, etc.). We are operating off a really small sample size here, but 50% from 3 and 23 PPG is no joke regardless of competition (plus I value the ringing endorsement from Jerry Stackhouse). His skillset is coveted in the modern NBA for good reason even if he never develops a better isolation game. Nesmith is being slept on in this class.

6. tyrell terry

Player Comparisons: Juan Dixon, Steph Curry

A lot has been written about the recent weight gain from Tyrell, but this projection is based solely on his offensive skillset. Whether he is 175 or 160, he’s still tiny for the NBA, but his ability to shoot off the dribble is going to put him in the Trae Young camp for me (see the 2018 big board). Terry has a shooting stroke and fluidity with the ball in his hands that can’t be taught; someone that is truly a “three level scorer.” The floor of his potential is pretty low if he loses confidence in his defense early (honestly it’s the only thing keeping him from my top 3) but the upside in this tiny man is tremendous.

7. tyrese maxey

Player Comparisons: Donovan Mitchell

Maxey is a force. He plays with a fire and energy that jumps off the screen. Pair that with a solid jumper and smooth handle and you find yourself inside the T$ Big Board top 10. Like most players in this class, it is easy to find concerns in his shot selection or low free throw rate, but I see Maxey as someone that will be a role player no matter what in the NBA. If he is able to put together his jumper, you are looking at this year’s Donovan Mitchell-esque breakout candidate.

8. obi toppin

Player Comparisons: Amare Stoudemire, Jason Thompson

High variability with this pick, but I think the offensive skill of Obadiah is worth taking a swing on. The first time you watch Toppin it’s hard to not see Amare given his wide shoulders, thin legs, and general ability to jump over half the defense. I am confident that Obi will find ways to score in the NBA immediately but for him to meet this projection he will need to continue his growth on the defensive end, where he can flash highlight reel blocks but regularly makes mental errors. His stock is currently all over the board, but I like his intensity and would bet on him out of this class.

9. SADDIQ BEY

Player Comparisons: Gerald Wallace, Pascal Siakam

No school in recent history produces more can’t-miss role players than Villanova, and Bey is here to join the chain of succession. A stout defender, Siddiq has a knack for finding himself in the right spot in the half court and has the ability to switch onto guards in transition. While he has a slower shot release, he has improved greatly as a catch and shoot player in year two and profiles as an instant contributor at the next level. If he is able to improve his moves with the ball in his hands, he could slowly morph into a really solid NBA starter.

10. KIRA LEWIS

Player Comparisons: De’Aaron Fox

Kira is one of the younger players in this class, even with two years at Bama under his belt. His quickness with the ball in his hands is the first skill that you notice whenever you turn on Lewis tape, but he finds himself inside the top 10 for his other intangible qualities. There is a lot written about it, but you instantly appreciate his love for the game after watching any interview he conducts. This is a kid that missed a key free throw at the end of a game his freshman year and stuck around afterwards until he made 500 from the same spot. His shot form is solid (though his percentages varied) and he has the moves to get space against NBA competition. It is a tall order to be a starting point guard in the NBA, but Lewis has that potential.

11. killian hayes

Player Comparisons: What We Thought Markelle Fultz Might Be, Yogi Ferrell

Hayes is a very exciting international prospect who gained a ton of experience while being the focal point of his European team (think more Luka than Dragan Bender). His jump shot is solid and he has a strong base that he uses to get defenders on his hip and create space. He is overly left hand dominant and was prone to streaky shooting games, but Hayes measures up as a reasonable sixth man with gifts that could help him flourish into a starter if he gets the right opportunity.

12. TYRESE HALIBURTON

Player Comparisons: Ron Harper, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Haliburton is a competitor who by all accounts has dazzled NBA teams with his interviews throughout the pre-draft process. I generally tend to bet on smart players with length and handle, so Tyrese lands in the lottery of my big board. I’m worried by how clunky his jumper is (although he shot with confidence at ISU), and he didn’t use his length too well defensively, but it’s not a stretch to think that he will be a playable swing man at the next level.

13. JALEN SMITH

Player Comparisons: Horace Grant, Daniel Theis

Jalen Smith is a load down low and has surprising athleticism in the half court. Watching Bruno Fernandez last year, Smith always stood out to me as the more intriguing prospect. While he doesn’t have star potential, I love his motor and ability to step out and stretch the floor at his size. I could see Jalen being one of the more valuable centers to come out of this draft class.

14. Josh green

Player Comparisons: Half of Klay Thompson, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot but less frail

This Aussie has bounce. Nico Mannion stole the headlines with his commitment to Arizona but Green was their featured bucket getter at the end of games. His shot is pure and he has great balance defensively. His handle is limited so he may just profile as a “3 and D” player in the NBA, but I like his upside at the tail end of the lottery.

15. ONYEKA OKONGWU

Player Comparisons: Brandan Wright, Ed Davis

Okongwu got his start as “that random big dude” that kept showing up in all of the Ball brother high school highlight tapes, but proved to be bit more than that at USC. Onyeka can defend the rim at a high level and is a premier pick and roll big, which will make him instantly useful for a team with an established backcourt. He showed limited ability to score outside of dunks/posts and has zero handle so I’m not as high as others, but I think he’ll be a defensible pick for a team looking to make the playoffs this year.

16. theo maledon

Player Comparisons: Raw Tony Parker

His mentor is Parker, so the comp is just lazy (of course it is), but Maledon looks like an interesting international prospect. He is wiry and young, but Theo flashed moments of point guard dominance during his prolonged run at different levels of ASVEL. Whoever drafts this guy is getting a player that needs a ton of seasoning and an NBA weight room, but the skillset is there for him to be a surprise find for a team willing to develop him.

17. ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI

Player Comparisons: Andrea Bargnani, Somehow Lankier Dirk Nowitzki

One of the strangest propects I have ever watched, Pokusevski is certainly a name to watch during the actual draft. Coming from the same league as Giannis, his highlight reels look similar: grainy footage of a huge kid playing in an empty high school gym against sweaty dudes you regularly saw at the YMCA pre-COVID. Look closer and you’ll find a freakishly tall human with a fluid jump shot from deep and passing ability. He could be a huge swing and miss for whoever is brave enough to take him, but this is the type of international stash that can make a GM.

18. devin vassell

Player Comparisons: Trevor Ariza

Vassell looks to have a pretty high floor, which is a safe feeling for a lot of GMs out there in the 15-20 range. My favorite quality of Devin’s is his ability to switch around the perimeter defensively with great ease. NBA guard play is all about switching/hedging and this guy will be able to make an immediate contribution on that end of the floor. If he never develops further on the offensive end then this could be a reach but everything I have read about this guy speaks to high character and a willingness to grind in the gym.

19. isaac okoro

Player Comparisons: Justise Winslow, KJ McDaniels

You will probably see Okoro get drafted in the lottery this year, but I’m not so high on him. This is a freak athlete to be sure, but a full game looks a little worse than his insane dunk-laden mixtapes. A draft like this is all about projecting, so I get the intrigue but I’m less excited about his shooting and floor game to project him as anything more than an energy wing off the bench. Certainly useful with how much small ball is being played, but not in the lottery under any circumstances.

20. patrick williams

Player Comparisons: James Johnson, Jerami Grant

See my explanation for Okoro, Isaac. Williams is another projection, but he is much longer and defensively minded. His offensive game leaves much to be desired but if you can get him comfortable in the mid-range he could be molded into a solid fifth starter. I think my comps give you an accurate feel for the two ends of the spectrum here; worth a shot if you’re into that sort of player.

21. paul reed

Player Comparisons: Chris Boucher, Jeremy Evans

Maybe I watched too much DePaul this year (of course I did), but Paul Reed was a monster in the Big East that developed over time. He’s a fly swatter in the paint and will be able to play the backup center spot effectively in small ball lineups. His age and lack of offensive versality (he either shoots or rolls…no in-between) will cap his draft stock but I think he’ll stick around the league for a pop.

22. malachi flynn

Player Comparisons: Fred VanVleet, Earl Watson

Compact, confident point guard with a consistent shot. Fred VanVleet has forced teams to look more closely at strong college guards without much athleticism and Flynn picks up the mantle as an elite floor general. I envision Malachi commanding the back up PG spot on a contender, which lands him in the first round of this big board.

23. Cole anthony

Player Comparisons: Lou Williams, Jason Terry

Microwave level scorer, Cole Anthony has been around the game at a high level since birth (son of Greg Anthony). His season with UNC began with a bang, but ended with a flat tire as the team around him crumbled and he began dealing with nagging injuries. He is certainly not bashful in the scoring department and can contort for tough makes, but he is not an NBA point in my eyes. If he pushes too hard to be “the guy” I think he could wind up in Europe pretty quickly, but as a bench scorer he could excel.

24. desmond bane

Player Comparisons: Randy Foye, Wes Matthews

Bane is compact and strong as an ox. The four year player at TCU developed each year and profiles as a solid 2 guard in the NBA. His jumper is strange but he makes it with regularity and his defensive footwork is impressive given his size. You don’t have to worry about someone like Bane getting switched onto a big in the post. He is older so he may be closer to the finished product, but a solid contributor at this point in the draft nonetheless.

25. markus howard

Player Comparisons: Isaiah Thomas, Aaron Brooks

Howard is a supremely talented shooter. Whether he can make it in the league or not will come down to whether he can get the shot off or not. He’s pretty small for the NBA but can weave through screens and shoot off the dribble at a high clip. Howard will be a complete liability defensively, but could settle in as someone that can hit multiple 3s in bench minutes that has the upside of a unique scorer. Worth a shot!

26. isaiah joe

Player Comparisons: Anthony Morrow

Look up the word “conscious” in the dictionary and I guarantee you will not find anything resembling Joe. This guy took a whooping 10 three pointers per game this past year with Arkansas, but his confidence can certainly be a tool in the league considering he has a solid stroke. His thin frame will leave him with a tall task defending SGs, but if he adds some strength he could be an asset off the bench to stretch the defense.

27. Cassius winston

Player Comparisons: Chauncy Billups, Jamaal Tinsley

Winston is your classic 50 year old college player, but the guy just gets buckets. He has supreme confidence with the ball in his hands and can get wherever he wants on the court to get his shot. He is really limited athletically which will make it hard for him to stay in front of guards, but I think he sticks around as a back-up guard with cagey upside.

28. Deni avdija

Player Comparisons: Jan Vesely, Andrei Kirilenko

If you shoot 55% from the line your entire youth career then you’re not going to be a shooter at the NBA level. I have seen too many players like this fizzle out, but Deni’s similarity in toughness to Dario Saric is the only reason he’s hanging around on the big board. I think he will be gritty enough to make it for a little, but I can’t see his jumper translating in the slightest.

29. Tyler Bey

Player Comparisons: Jonas Jerebko, Thaddeus Young

Long and athletic, Bey is your prototypical modern NBA 4. His jump shot takes some time to release, but on the defensive end he’s quick and covers a lot of ground. He is a plus rebounder on both sides of the floor that gets off the ground fast. I like Bey as a potential glue guy on the bench of a playoff team that gives him enough leash to run through the offense around other shooters.

30. vernon carey

Player Comparisons: Jahlil Okafor, Enes Kanter

There is a place in the league for back up bigs that can score in the paint. Carey is a house down low, but he’s a bit of a load who struggles to switch or defend the rim. He will be able to give a contender 15 MPG off the bench with scoring upside. If you’re into that, take him. If not, then pass. No upside here.

Just Missed the Cut

With the Sixers having two early 2nd rounders, below are my next ten prospects that I wanted to give a shout (and cover my ass by including):

31. Payton Pritchard

32. Nico Mannion

33. Jaden McDaniels

34. Daniel Oturu

35. Zeke Nnaji

36. Udoka Azubuike

37. RJ Hampton

38. Mamadi Diakite

39. Devon Dotson

40. Lamar Stevens (We Are)

Just Missed the Cut

Share this:

Related