The 2020 NBA Draft is here, which usually means great suits, free hats, and the Kings making a mockery of their draft positions! This year is no different, aside from the global pandemic that continues to engulf the United States.
However, as rumors of pick swaps and trades swirl, we thought it would be nice to check-in with our writing staff and see what they thought would and could happen during the 2020 NBA Draft.
Matt Branigan
I get the sense that the best player(s) to come out of this draft will be someone who gets taken in the late first round. Like I’m thinking somewhere between picks 20 and 30. Or even the early second round. I just get that feeling… it seems like that type of draft.
Justin Colombo
The likely hood that the Timberwolves don’t trade out of the first-overall pick feels low. If for some reason they don’t trade their top spot, I think they end up taking Wiseman and listening to offers that include first-rounders in this draft and in the future.
Ryan Kelly
Danny Ainge has a bunch of draft picks nobody wants, and will end up looking like that kid who couldn’t find a taker for all those Pokémon cards he thought he could swap at recess. If that’s the case, the Maine Red Claws will be absolutely loaded.
Tim Olsen
LaMelo Ball’s trajectory is basically Shaun Livingston if he never got injured.
Justin Colombo
The Kings will take their modest 12th pick and actually make a decent, even-keeled, smart selection that will lead Twitter to remind all of us Kings fans that we passed up the chance to draft Luka in favor of Marvin Bagley III.
Matt Branigan
I don’t think this is really a “hot” take, but I’ll say this about the Celtics: I think they’ll look for three things in the draft (assuming they don’t trade their picks away):
1. A Sharpshooter/Shooting in General
2. Front Court Depth
3. A PG to develop. Preferably one who can defend well too.I’ll give you a list of players who could be on Ainge’s hit list:
- Jalen Smith (Maryland)
- Malachi Flynn (San Diego State)
- Payton Pritchard (Oregon)
- Tre Jones (Duke)
- Cole Anthony (UNC)
- Vernon Carey Jr. (Duke)
- Immanuel Quickley (Kentucky)
- Killian Tillie (Gonzaga)
- Reggie Perry (Mississippi St)
- Saddiq Bey (Villanova)
And I’ll say at least one of those players will be a Boston Celtic at the end of the night.
Terry Cudmore
I think the Thunder have TOO MANY picks over the next few years and what is being viewed as a windfall will ultimately be a curse
Tim Olsen
Both this year and in 2013, the top prospects were seen as good players with high ceilings and bust potential. There are no sure things like last year (Zion Williamson, Ja Morant) which makes General Managers’ evaluations so important. The three best players from the 2013 draft were found at #10 (CJ McCollum), #15 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) and #27 (Rudy Gobert) and while I don’t see a “Giannis” I can easily see the same happening tonight.
Justin Colombo
LaMelo Ball will wear two hats, possibly three. The team that drafts him will not be the team he plays for in the 2021 season.
Andrew Mark Wilhelm
The Pistons are going to do something drastic and somewhat surprising and I’m going to absolutely hate it.
Enjoy the Draft, and be sure to leave your hot take in the comments!
