Vendetta Sports 2020 NBA Mock Draft: Blogger Edition
Vendetta Sports Media is back with another unique Mock Draft. The last one we did like this was for the 2020 NFL Mock Draft. Just like that one, this one will have a twist. Our very own NBA writers acted as general managers of teams for this 2020 NBA Mock Draft.
They are free to do what they think these teams and GMs should do. Things might be crazy and make you wonder if this can actually happen on NBA draft day. Anything is possible on draft day, and that is the mindset we went with on this. Do you agree with their decisions? Are they better than the current GM? Worse? See the results below of our 2020 NBA Mock Draft from Vendetta Sports Media.
1: Minnesota Timberwolves (Alex Chick III) – LaMelo Ball, PG, Australia
In the first pick of the 2020 NBA Mock Draft for Vendetta Sports Media, I went with LaMelo Ball. I am on the LaMelo Ball hype train. A lot of other people like Anthony Edwards here, but I think he is a bust. I also like D’Angelo Russell more as a two-guard rather than a point guard. LaMelo Ball is a better option as a point guard. He will facilitate the ball to Karl-Anthony Towns and DLo. The lack of defense will be a concern for the Wolves, but let’s be honest, they weren’t going to go to the playoffs anyway. -Alex Chick III
2: Golden State Warriors (LaMarr Fields) James Wiseman, C, Memphis
I like Wiseman for the Warriors because he brings them size and athletic ability. At 7’1, Wiseman can stretch the floor with his three-point range. A Wiseman Stephen Curry pick-n-roll could be dangerous, with his ability to shoot, and he is capable of creating his shot as well. Also, Wiseman would give the Warriors a rim protector, and he is agile enough to defend on the perimeter. -LaMarr Fields
3: Charlotte Hornets (Jackson Law) Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
Honestly wanted to move back here, but trade couldn’t happen. Edwards has upside. He’s strong, physical, and fits the profile of what you want in a driving guard. He’ll need to add a three-point shot to his game, but there’s nothing wrong with grabbing Edwards at 3. -Jackson Law
4: Chicago Bulls (Ethan Carbone) Deni Advija, SF, Israel
Deni would slide into the wide-open three spot for the Bulls. He can hit the jumper along with being an ultra-athletic finisher along playing solid defense. It can easily help a struggling Bulls team. -Ethan Carbone
5: Cleveland Cavaliers (Jeremy Rinaldi) Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC
The Cavs will select USC center Onyeka Okongwu with the fifth pick. They have drafted two guards the past two seasons and should look towards drafting an athletic big with all-star potential. With Weisman off the board, Okongwu is the pick here. Drummond will likely be gone before the rebuild is complete, and Okongwu has Bam Adebayo-like potential. He is a solid post player but has flashed potential handling the ball and shooting from outside the paint. Okongwu can develop alongside Kevin Love and become a force in the pick and roll with Cleveland’s young guards. -Jeremy Rinaldi
6: Atlanta Hawks (Jackson Law) Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
Isaac Okoro is the best defender in this draft. Atlanta has been all about offense recently and needs to bring in some defense to guard the wings. Okoro can defend almost anyone on the court. He also has the offensive tools to eventually become a decent scorer, similar to the career path of Marcus Smart. Easy pick at six. -Jackson Law
7: Detroit Pistons (Jarrod Prosser) Killian Hayes, PG/SG, France
We were hoping to have Toppin (fifth on our board) fall to us. Sure enough, he’s there, but we have to change our plan, given Hayes – third on our board – has somehow slipped. We’ll gladly take the Frenchman, who will form the basis of our rebuild with Christian Wood & Sekou Doumbouya.
Hayes has some problems, but they’re more technical & therefore fixable. We foresee him becoming the best version of D’Angelo Russell. -Jarrod Prosser
8: New York Knicks (LaMarr Fields) Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
The New York Knicks need a guard who can create shots for teammates. Haliburton could do that for them; he is a taller point guard that can defend, hit the three, and get his teammates involved. Haliburton could be the guard that the Knicks have been missing. -LaMarr Fields
9: Washington Wizards (Karl Heiser) Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
Washington needs shooters. Davis Bertans might leave in free agency, and he was a major deep threat for the Wizards last season. Aaron Nesmith is coming off a season at Vanderbilt, where he shot 52.2% from beyond the arc and posted 23 points per game. In addition to scoring, Nesmith provides defense to a side that finished the season 29th of 30 teams in defensive efficiency.
The 6-6 Nesmith is capable of guarding most two-guards and smaller forwards. He has great length, which could let him defend power forwards in small-ball situations. Overall, Nesmith is the best fit available for the Wizards and addresses vital needs. He projects as a reliable knockdown shooter and quality perimeter defender in a modern NBA where those are the two most valuable attributes a player can possess. -Karl Heiser
10: Phoenix Suns (Ethan Carbone) Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
Obi is the most athletic player in the draft and will provide some bang in the post with Ayton. An absolute force on offends that couldn’t be stopped at Dayton and looks for that to continue here in Phoenix. -Ethan Carbone
TRADE
San Antonio Spurs trade DeMar DeRozan and the 11th pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Caris LeVert, DeAndre Jordan, and the 19th pick.
DeAndre Jordan is 32 and has three years and $28 million left on his contract. He isn’t getting better. Jarrett Allen is the center of the future in Brooklyn. Trading Caris LeVert is the price needed to get off of Jordan’s contract, but LeVert is coming off an injury and would be a third or fourth option at best with Durant and Irving. This trade gets the Nets DeMar DeRozan, who only has one year left on his current contract before he hits unrestricted free agency. His high contract value will come off the books almost immediately. One year of DeRozan as a third option is worth it. Not only do the Nets shed a long-term financial commitment for a much more palatable one, but they also move up from 19 to 11 in the draft. -Karl Heiser
As the Spurs GM, I was torn about sitting here and picking Devin Vassell or trading the pick away. I’m not the biggest fan of DeMar DeRozan, and I want the Spurs to embrace the young talent they have. Getting rid of DeRozan was the way to do that. In return, we get a much more versatile player in Caris LeVert on a cheaper contract for three years. This trade’s cons was the pick swap and taking DeAndre Jordan at $10 million a year for three years. He could be useful, but it was just a sacrifice I was willing to make. -Alex Chick III
11: Brooklyn Nets (Karl Heiser) Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova
In theory, the Nets are deep enough to select anyone here, and it would make sense. Saddiq Bey provides a lot of value on both offense and defense. He took a significant step in his sophomore season at Villanova, scoring 16 points a game on 50% from the field and 45% from deep – excellent efficiency. Bey is a great defender with a high motor. He would develop safely beyond all the veterans on the Nets roster while also getting some of his opportunities in their high-powered offense. -Karl Heiser
12: Sacramento Kings (Dacota Haynes) Patrick Williams, PF, FSU
Kings select Williams because he will a good backup for Bagley. Whether he turns into a Jimmy Butler or a Maurice Harkless, he’ll still fit the system either way. -Dacota Haynes
13: New Orleans Pelicans (Jeremy Rinaldi) Devin Vassell, SG/SF, FSU
With the 13th pick, New Orleans selects wing Devin Vassell. One of the best three and D players in this draft class, Vassell, offers immediate upside alongside Ball and the Pelicans dynamic frontcourt. Florida State’s Vassell is an above-average shooter and should take some pressure off Ball and Jrue Holiday on the defensive end. -Jeremy Rinaldi
14: Boston Celtics (Trey Daubert) Cole Anthony, PG, UNC
Don’t read the press clippings about Gordon Hayward. He’s not going anywhere. We’re also delighted with the big men rotation of Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter, Robert Williams, and Grant Williams. We didn’t feel there was a significantly better player in this draft than any of the internal options on this team.
We believe Cole Anthony is an extraordinary player. For starters, he’s going to have an excellent mentor with Kemba Walker. Furthermore, we felt that Anthony was by far the best player available and has All-Star potential. Anthony was the most valuable player at the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit. Every time we saw him, Anthony was the best player on the floor.
His season at North Carolina presented a unique opportunity and allowed an elite player to slip in the draft that otherwise wouldn’t have. We believe Anthony will thrive in the NBA’s up and down style.
Anthony was one of the best recruits in the country and has NBA bloodlines. We believe his inefficiencies on the court were more of a product of his surroundings and trying to do too much. We feel lucky to be able to draft Anthony. -Trey Daubert
15: Orlando Magic (Ethan Carbone) Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
Lewis Is an athletic Guard that can score at all three levels and is a solid defender. The only thing about his game that needs work is playmaking, but playing with Fultz will develop that over time. -Ethan Carbone
16: Portland Trail Blazers (Dacota Haynes) Vernon Casey Jr., C, Duke
The Blazers select Carey because Zach Collins’s injury is unknown amongst any return. Carey will give flexibility as someone who can be a beast in the paint and has playmaking skills to spread it out to other weapons on the roster. We feel like this is a good pick both offensively and defensively. -Dacota Haynes
17: Minnesota Timberwolves (Alex Chick III) Daniel Oturu, C, Minnesota
With the 17th pick in the 2020 NBA Mock Draft, I went with Daniel Oturu. As mentioned earlier, The Timberwolves an inside-the-paint guy. There is no one reliable behind KAT at center. Using that and getting a glass cleaner and an inside scorer could be helpful for the Timberwolves. -Alex Chick III
18: Dallas Mavericks (Jarrod Prosser) Precious Achiuwa, PF Memphis
We have rim runners, but we’re not sure of what their status is. Powell is coming off a catastrophic injury. Cauley-Stein may never amount to anything. Therefore we’re looking for a rim runner to compliment Luka & KP. It came down to Jalen Smith and Precious Achiuwa. Smith is the better shooter, Achiuwa, the better playmaker. Both can stay with some players on the perimeter. Tough call, but it ultimately came down to who has the better GIF game. We select my PRECIOUS!!! -Jarrod Prosser
19: San Antonio Spurs (Alex Chick III) Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Serbia
In the 2020 NBA Mock Draft for Vendetta Sports Media, at 19, I chose Aleksej Pokusevski. Is it a Spurs pick if they don’t pick a foreign guy with a complicated ass name? Still. This is a typical Spurs player. A skill big with immediate upside. They’re still waiting to see if Luka Samanic pans out. If he doesn’t, they have another skilled big ready to step up. -Alex Chick III
20: Miami Heat (Karl Heiser) Desmond Bane, SG, TCU
Goran Dragic is a 34-year-old unrestricted free agent. He was solid for Miami last year, but they may be looking for guys to fill out the guard rotation. Desmond Bane is one of the most underrated prospects in this year’s draft. He has a very high basketball IQ, is an excellent shooter and passer, and has good length for a guard. His work ethic and basketball smarts make up for most of his athletic limitations on offense and defense.
Bane can be a dependable scorer off the bench for Miami, who leads the second unit. He’s also a very solid defender who makes good reads and knows what to do in most pick and roll situations. This would be a worthwhile pick for Miami to build on its 2020 NBA Finals appearance. -Karl Heiser
21: Philadelphia 76ers (Jeremy Rinaldi) Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
With Doc Rivers in town, Philadelphia would love to grab a guard in the first round. Stanford’s Tyrell Terry offers a ton of upside as a shooter and ball handler. He got better in each game at Stanford and has reportedly gotten taller and heavier. Terry is an ideal point guard at the next level and should knock down big shots for Philadelphia off the bench in year one. -Jeremy Rinaldi
22: Denver Nuggets (Alex Chick III) RJ Hampton, PG, New Zealand
I chose RJ Hampton for the Nuggets with the 22nd pick in the 2020 NBA Mock draft for Vendetta Sports Media. The talent starts to lack from here on out. RJ Hampton can step in a prolific Denver Nuggets offense and use his athleticism to help the Nuggets. He can keep the Nuggets playing at a high pace and do hustle plays for the Nuggets off the bench. They have plenty of people that can score. Now they are working on everything else. -Alex Chick III
23: Utah Jazz (Jarrod Prosser) Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland
At 23, we looked at Jaden McDaniels or Josh Green – a pair of excellent defenders who have some offensive chops. Jalen Smith falling (we had him in the 14-18 range) leaves us with a dilemma, though. Smith is the most talented of the three but isn’t as polished as McDaniels or Green. As well as either of those two would fit our system, we’ll back our player development program. After all, we turned Gobert & Mitchell into unexpected superstars. Our selection is Jalen Smith. -Jarrod Prosser
TRADE
The Milwaukee Bucks trade the 24th pick and George Hill to the Detroit Pistons for Derrick Rose.
24: Detroit Pistons (Jarrod Prosser) Josh Green, SG, Arizona
We are delighted to take Josh Green here. We’re thrilled to get this pick in Detroit. Rose served us well, but the rebuild is on. In George Hill, we get a veteran lead guard to show our youngsters how to be good professionals. In Green, we hopefully get the new George Hill. Green is an excellent defender and improving shooter with underrated playmaking chops. He and Hayes are our backcourt of the future. In George Hill, they couldn’t have a better teacher. -Jarrod Prosser
25: Oklahoma City Thunder (Andrew Zucker) Isaiah Stewart, PF/C, Washington
The Thunder are rebuilding, despite last season’s success. It’s more of a rebuild on the fly, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander performing way above expectation, as did Chris Paul. But Paul is being shopped for future assets as he should be. While Steven Adams is entering his age 27 season, his $27,000,000 salary is not befitting a rebuilding team. Shedding the contract for a future first-round pick and selecting his replacement in Isaiah Stewart is an ideal situation. A young, athletic power forward/center who can immediately take over for Adams. Whoever takes over at head coach will be thrilled with the pick. -Andrew Zucker
26: Boston Celtics (Trey Daubert) Leandro Bolmaro, SG, Spain
Bolmaro was a player we had an interest in. Because of the way our roster is constructed. We felt it was best to take an upside player that can be stashed overseas for now. -Trey Daubert
27: New York Knicks (LaMarr Fields) Jaden McDaniels, SF, Washington
McDaniels has a lot of potential; he can score off the dribble and hit three-point shots. But he needs to prove he can do it consistently. McDaniels also can block shots, averaging 1. blocks per game last season. This move would give the Knicks some excellent frontcourt depth. -LaMarr Fields
28: Los Angeles Lakers (Jackson Law) Tre Jones, PG, Duke
The Lakers will probably lose Rondo in free agency. While LeBron will take over most of PG duties, Tre Jones will be a great back up for the offense. Like his brother Tyus, Jones will thrive as a backup and will have a successful career doing so. -Jackson Law
29: Toronto Raptors (Scott Logush) Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State
With Kyle Lowry entering his mid-thirties and the uncertainty revolving around Fred VanVleet as he enters free agency, the Toronto Raptors need to take a guard. Cassius Winston has been a very solid shooter for the Michigan State Spartans, averaging 18.6 points and shooting 44.8% from the field, 43.2% from three-point range, and 85.2% free-throw line.
He’s able to distribute the ball as a team player, as he averaged 5.9 assets in his senior year. Regardless of the outcome of the VanVleet situation, Winston will prove to be a valuable pick. If VanVleet is retained, Winston can grow and develop on the bench to take over for Kyle Lowry, whose contract expires after the 2020-2021 season. If VanVleet leaves in free agency, Winston can step in and fill the hole. -Scott Logush
30: Boston Celtics (Trey Daubert) Theo Maledon, PG, France
Maledon was a player we had an interest in. Because of the way our roster is constructed. We felt it was best to take an upside player that can be stashed overseas for now. -Trey Daubert
I hope you enjoyed this experience and twist on this 2020 NBA Mock Draft as much as we did. Keep us accountable for the picks we take. Whether it be gems or absolute busts, see who is a good GM under our group.
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