Five Favorite 2020 Draft Prospects

[Lipoli390]

Before we start dropping our full draft boards into the other thread that Cam started, I thought this might be a good opportunity for each of us to name our five favorite prospects in this year's draft. It could be the top three on your draft board, the most entertaining or the top three draft sleepers - or some combination. Here are my three favorites:

1. Patrick Williams. I think he'll turn out to be the best NBA player in this draft. I wouldn't take him #1 because I think his development into the player I think he can be is more of a long shot. But I'd love to draft him if we get another lottery pick. He reminds me of Kawhi Leonard.

2. Tyrell Terry. I love his shooting, craftiness and competitive fire. He's the closest thing to Steph Curry that I've seen in a draft since Curry was taken. If he's available at #17, Rosas should grab him.

3. Okongwu. I still have him as the best bet for the Wolves outside of Wiseman. I think he's one of the surest things in the draft. He has terrific fast-twitch quickness and great hands to go with an ambidextrous soft touch around the rim and excellent defensive instincts. He's a good free-throw shooter, which bodes well for extending his range as a shooter in the NBA. By all accounts he's a hard worker, smart and very coachable. As I've written before, I see Okongwu as the second coming of Bam Adebayo but a better defender.

4. Haliburton. Has LaMello's impressive combination of length, ball-handling and passing at the PG position, but without the baggage. Haliburton plays both sides of the ball and fills up the stat sheet in nearly every category. He combines his excellent passing skills and high basketball IQ with high-percentage 3-point and free-throw shooting. By all accounts, he's a great teammate and has high character. You'll never worry about effort or off-court issues with him.

5. Paul Reed. Is unique in having elite stats in both the shot-blocking and steals categories. Very athletic. I like him as a second-round sleeper.

Honorable mention for my fave five is Obi Toppin. I just love his monster dunks.

[TAFKASP]

Three you say?

[Monster]

Haliburton

Terry

Okongwu

Zeke Nnaji: he looks like he is going to be a pretty good shooting big with some solid athletics.

Payton Pritchard: I watched him play twice in February. Dude is just a baller.

Bonus player...Tre Jones will be in the league for 10 years as a solid NBA guy in some fashion.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Three you say?

Lips getting too excited about this draft. Or maybe he's drinking. I'm having some Knob Creek smoked maple on the rocks. Strongly recommended drink for draft night or any night.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

My five favorite draft prospects. That's tough, Lip. I like a lot of players in this draft, but I think my five would be:

1. Tyrese Haliburton: I find the most satisfying basketball to watch is often filled with high IQ, selflessness, and elite skills. That's Haliburton. Powerful dunks can get any crowd off their feet, but I love a no-look dish through a tight window even more. He plays both ends of the floor. He's got the right balance of supreme confidence in himself and his teammates. He's just really fun to watch.

2. James Wiseman: Firstly, who doesn't like skilled bigs? There's something fun about seven-footers doing things that seven-footers don't often do. Wiseman is a physical freak of nature with the ability to score the basketball in numerous ways. He attacks the glass. He burns opposing teams in transition with his rim runs. He can mix it up in the post. His face-up game is above par for his age. And he's got a sneaky good perimeter shot. I think he'll be a star at the next level and it's a shame we didn't get a full college season out of him.

3. Saddiq Bey: What can I say? I like smart basketball players. Bey is going to be a super role player at the next level. He defends every position. He knocks down shots. He always makes the "extra" pass. I can only imagine how much Jay Wright loved coaching him at Villanova. Simply put, Bey is a winner.

4. Tyrell Terry: He's the best shooter in this class. Period. He's knockdown. He can run off screens or execute in dribble handoffs. Catch-and-shoot. Live dribble pull-ups. Terry's got it all in his bag. And despite his lackluster size and athleticism he's always in attack mode. Very good finisher at the rim with the ability to spin it off the glass at various angles with either hand. If he was 6'4", 200-pounds, he'd be the first overall pick in this draft.

5. Devin Vassell: Remember how Robert Covington could change the entire flow of the game with his defense? That's what Vassell is capable of. He's why Florida State was possibly on their way to the Final Four before the pandemic ended March Madness. He's long. He's rangy. He's got great anticipation. If you enjoy watching aggressive defenders, you're sure to enjoy Vassell.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I don't have a list of names, but more of a philosophical belief that whatever the Wolves do after their first pick, it should almost exclusively be focused on big wings and 4s that can be versatile defenders. And then we should just pray to God that they can eventually develop an outside shot (or if they already have one, it actually translates).

So beyond the lottery guys like Vassell, Okoro, and Wiliams, the ones that appeal to me that could be had with #17 or #33 include the "Bey brothers", Paul Reed, Josh Green, and Robert Woodard II.

I believe decent backup PGs and backup bigs are fairly cheap and easy to find, so the strategy should be stockpiling positionless defenders and let them fight it out for minutes with Vanderbilt, Okogie, and Layman.

[Lipoli390]

I don't have a list of names, but more of a philosophical belief that whatever the Wolves do after their first pick, it should almost exclusively be focused on big wings and 4s that can be versatile defenders. And then we should just pray to God that they can eventually develop an outside shot (or if they already have one, it actually translates).

So beyond the lottery guys like Vassell, Okoro, and Wiliams, the ones that appeal to me that could be had with #17 or #33 include the "Bey brothers", Paul Reed, Josh Green, and Robert Woodard II.

I believe decent backup PGs and backup bigs are fairly cheap and easy to find, so the strategy should be stockpiling positionless defenders and let them fight it out for minutes with Vanderbilt, Okogie, and Layman.

I think that Rosas agrees with you.

[Monster]

I don't have a list of names, but more of a philosophical belief that whatever the Wolves do after their first pick, it should almost exclusively be focused on big wings and 4s that can be versatile defenders. And then we should just pray to God that they can eventually develop an outside shot (or if they already have one, it actually translates).

So beyond the lottery guys like Vassell, Okoro, and Wiliams, the ones that appeal to me that could be had with #17 or #33 include the "Bey brothers", Paul Reed, Josh Green, and Robert Woodard II.

I believe decent backup PGs and backup bigs are fairly cheap and easy to find, so the strategy should be stockpiling positionless defenders and let them fight it out for minutes with Vanderbilt, Okogie, and Layman.

I think that Rosas agrees with you.

I'm cool with this but I also wouldn't mind looking for say the next Seth Curry type a smaller guard that can handle the ball some and flat out shoot it.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

Going a different direction here:

Best player in draft - Wiseman

Best shooter - Nesmith/Terry

Best player not to be drafted top 5 - Saddiq Bey (he is 100% the guy I would take with a move-up trade)

Best defensive player - Long term, Wiseman

Offensive ROY - Toppin

[kekgeek]

5 Favorite Prospects

#1. Anthony Edwards
Elite Physical profile, Elite athleticism, lead all freshman in scoring, good ball handler and improving playmaker. Has the size and strength to guard 1-3. Has moments where he can flat out take over a game without question. Obviously there are some red flags with him where he goes in and out of games and takes long jumpers instead of attacking the basket. Im a little less worried about that because he played on one of the worst shooting teams in college basketball and I believe the worst shooting power 5 team. Obviously he will need to improve on these skills to be an elite player. I think he would be the no brainier #1 pick for the wolves fans if we didn't go through Wiggins. If Wiggins is his floor, that is still a pretty darn good player even though frustrating. If he fixes what seems mostly mental parts of his game he is an MVP potential type player.

#2 Tyrese Haliburton
Legit such a well rounded player, good rebounder for his position, great shooter, solid defender, good passer. Legit his weakness is his athleticism but he does everything else so well. Hard worker and good kid. Hard for me to think he will fail.

#3 ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI
7 footer with a guard skills. What more can you ask for. He is a willing defender, good ball handler and above average shooter. Biggest knock on him was the competition he faced overseas. He might bust out of the league but if he is there at 17 in my opinion you have to gamble on him. Legit probably 1 of 3 guys who has an All NBA upside.

#4 Cole Anthony
I don't care if he struggled in his one year in college. He was the best player in his class coming out of HS. He got hurt right away in college. Played on a team with no other shot creators and a team that played in a slow it down 2 post systems. I am fine gambling on his talent. Who was a lock at a top 3 pick if no college ball was played. I will gamble on that guy. Might have a unrational confidence to him that will hurt him. Also plays the most stacked position in the NBA just willing to bet on his raw talent over a lot of people in this draft.

#5 Killian Tillie
Lotto Talent Senior that has injury problems. Legit think we could look up in 3 years and say Tillie was the best big in the class. Elite shooter, great passer, can use both hands and will be a legit problem for other teams when defending him as a screener in the PnR. Good defender even though he is not a perfect rim defender. He has had multiple bad injuries what could really hurt him in the NBA. He is another guy I am gambling on his talent even though injuries could really damper is career.


4 most overrated prospects

#1 Lamelo Ball
All I need to say is give me one clip of him getting into a defensive stance and keeping in front of his guy. Until you can find me that, I can't see the guy succeeding in the NBA. That also goes along with the off the court stuff, terrible shooter and terrible decision making. Im with Cam on this one I am not touching him, I don't care he has a good size for his position, a lot and I mean a lot has to flip for him to be a good NBA player. Especially where he will be drafted.

[#2 ONYEKA OKONGWU
Im always worried about drafting bigs high in the draft based on there defense. I think Okongwu has a chance to succeed but I think it asking a lot of him to become the next Bam. He is not a good shooter, he dosen't shoot well from the FT line. Just really worried he is another WCS, Noel or Bismak Biyumbo. Just not skilled enough for me and I am so worried about how college defense translates to pro defense. Way to many things have to go right for him to have him be a top 7 pick for me. Think he will be in the league a long time just don't see the All Star potential and if bigs aren't all star potential I think most of them are cheap replacements.

#3 Patrick Williams
He came off the bench in college. Can you name players who came off the bench on their college team on was super special in the NBA. Marvin Williams was a solid player but never close to an all star and then Zach Lavine who was a physical freak unlike Patrick Williams. Williams also is not a great shooter and had a shit ton of turnovers compared to his assists. I just don't see it with him. Also questions about his man to man defense. For a guy who will probably go in the top 10. I want nothing to do with him.

#4 Tyrell Terry
I want to preface this by saying I like Tyrell Terry. I would draft him at #17. Just think he was not the best player on his college team. He was the 2nd option most of the time at Stanford. He is still really small and I think small guards struggle in the NBA. Great shooter no doubt but he didn't do this in HS, College or AAU where he just stood out and flashed as an NBA type player. I like him and think he will have a role in the NBA but think he is an above average backup NBA PG.

2nd Round/Drafted Guys that Im interested in

#1 Cassius Winston
Just a winner. Don't know what else to say. He just makes winning plays. I like those types of guys. That is all.

#2 Daniel Oturu
Made significant strides from his Freshman to Sophmore year. Elite back to the basic/face up game. Now how many chances is he going to get to do that in the NBA probably not many so that is why he is dropping. Improved to be a guy who can shoot the 3 pointers. All the reports are that he is killing it in workouts, hitting over 60% of his 3s when in team workouts. Dominated inside when he played with terrible shooting teamates. Could be an very good pick and pop player. He struggles with post defense, had off an on issues with foul trouble in his Minnesota career. Got tired a lot but he played almost every minute for the Gophers. Think he has a shot to have a good role in the NBA.

#3 Tre Jones
A more athletic and better defensive draft profile Tyus Jones. Dude knows how to run a team and play defense. Will have the same issues as his brother in the pros. Teams didn't guard him from deep in college and would put bigs on him.

# 4Freddie Gillespie
Unlikely will get drafted. He tore his ACL in High School so he was under recruited and went to D3 program Carelton College. He became a 2nd team All-MIAC player what is funny to think about now. To walking on to Baylor his Junior year to becoming the runner up for B12 defensive player of the year on one of the best teams in college basketball. I will always bet on guys who have had the much adversity. Think he can be an solid rebounder and shot blocker for really cheap and he works his fucking ass off.

#5 Markus Howard

Will go undrafted. 28pt per game scorer at Marquette. Shot over 40% from 3 every year of his college career. One of the best scorers in college basketball. Put up similar numbers in FG% 3PT% Asts Rebs and Stls as Tyrell Terry while being actually the go to option on his team. He is 5'11 what could kill him in the pros. Just don't know how Tyrell Terry is 6'1 and super small and is projected a possible lottery pick while Howard is 2 inches smaller but is not going to be drafted. I will gamble on a guy who knows how to score. Rumors were though his teamates didn't like him much