Some notes in our latest look since the Draft Lottery, which saw the Minnesota Timberwolves land the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Remember, the Consensus Mock Draft is a compilation of the best mock drafts around the web. We bring them together to come up with a good estimate of how the Draft could play out (last update: Oct. 21, 11:44 p.m. ET):
• A lot has changed since the last update three weeks ago, especially at the top. Previously, Anthony Edwards of Georgia was the likely No. 1 pick (seven times), but the tide has shifted and the majority now see LaMelo Ball going first (seven of the 10). There is still a lot of chatter about whether the Wolves will trade the No. 1 pick (they’ve said they’re pursuing all options), but most seem to think if they keep the pick, Ball is their guy, due to his potential as a franchise-changing point guard.
• With Ball off the board, what will the Warriors do with the No. 2 pick? The Warriors will have stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson back from injury, so will they want to add a young player to the mix, or could they look to deal the pick for a more proven, established star? Whatever they do, they’ve got options, and half of the mocks think the Warriors will grab Memphis big man James Wiseman. In Wiseman, Golden State would have a tantalizing athletic big man who can defend and roll to the rim in pick-and-roll situations on the offensive end.
• While he’s no longer the likely No. 1 pick, Georgia’s Anthony Edwards is still a virtual lock to go in the Top 3. Edwards could be a nice pairing with D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota, but you have to think Charlotte would love Edwards slipping to them at No. 3.
• Since our last look, eight of the 10 mock drafts were updated, giving us several big changes. Other than the shakeup at No. 1, the prospect seeing the biggest rise has been Precious Achiuwa. The Memphis big man jumps this week and now appears in the lottery in six of the 10 mock drafts. He shows up twice to the Wizards at No. 9 and twice to the Spurs at No. 11. The energetic big is a versatile defender who will likely develop into a pick-and-roll threat who can finish around the rim.
• Deni Avdija is likely going to be the first-ever Israeli player drafted in the lottery, and half of our mocks see him going to the Bulls at No. 4. If Chicago doesn’t grab him, he’ll likely land in Cleveland at No. 5. The Ringer is still liking him at No. 2 to the Warriors, and his stock could continue to rise as teams get more info on the Maccabi Tel-Aviv product.
• One new name popped up as a new entry in two of the mocks this week – RJ Hampton, a top recruit out of high school who spent last season with the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL. The Ringer and The Athletic both see him going 12th to Sacramento, which would give the Kings a backcourt mate for DeAaron Fox. Hampton is a raw, athletic guard with size and could be a good first splash for the Kings’ new GM, Monte McNair.
• Nine players appear on all 10 mocks we survey: Ball, Edwards, Wiseman, Avdija, Onyeka Okongwu, Obi Toppin, Isaac Okoro, Tyrese Haliburton, and Killian Hayes.
• A logistical note: One mock draft site has been dropped due to its inactivity (Tankathon) and we replaced it with a second mock draft from CBS Sports via Gary Parrish. We used Gary last season, and he’s been on top of things for years.
MOST COMMON PICKS
No. 1 (Timberwolves): LaMelo Ball (7)
No. 2 (Warriors): James Wiseman (5)
No. 3 (Hornets): Anthony Edwards (4)
No. 4 (Bulls): Deni Avdija (5)
No. 5 (Cavaliers): Obi Toppin (6)
No. 6 (Hawks): Tyrese Haliburton (4)
No. 7 (Pistons): Killian Hayes, Isaac Okoro (3)
No. 8 (Knicks): Devin Vassell (3)
No. 9 (Wizards): Tyrese Haliburton,Onyeka Okongwu (3)
No. 10 (Suns): Killian Hayes, Aaron Nesmith, Isaac Okoro (2)
No. 11 (Spurs): Patrick Williams (5)
No. 12 (Kings): Devin Vassell (3)
No. 13 (Pelicans): Aaron Nesmith (3)
No. 14 (Celtics): Kira Lewis Jr. (5)
Most common (above): Pick at which the player is most commonly projected, with number of mock drafts in parentheses. For example, LaMelo Ball is projected to go 1st in seven of the 10 mock drafts listed below.
Top 14 (below): To calculate the consensus, we award 14 points for every mock draft in which the player went first overall, 13 for second, continuing to one point for the final lottery pick. The player with the highest point total represents the top overall selection, which is as follows:
1. LaMelo Ball | Minnesota Timberwolves
Illawarra Hawks (NBL)| Position: G | Height: 6-7
Status: International
Most Common: 1 (7)
Dynamic ballhandler with innate passing ability who can step in immediately as a team’s point guard. Will need to work on his shot, but Ball is a franchise-changing guard
2. Anthony Edwards | Golden State Warriors
Georgia | Position: G | Height: 6-5
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 3 (4)
Athletic scorer has the ability and explosiveness to score in transition or as a spot-up shooter; should contribute immediately and eventually become a franchise-changing star
3. James Wiseman | Charlotte Hornets
Memphis | Position: C | Height: 7-1
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 2 (5)
Skilled big man has the size combined with athleticism to potentially become a dominant force on both ends of the floor
4. Deni Avdija | Chicago Bulls
Maccabi Tel Aviv | Position: G/F | Height: 6-9
Status: International
Most Common: 4 (5)
Plays like a guard, but has the size and length to give defenders fits; Aggressive, competitive playmaker with a great feel for the game
5. Obi Toppin | Cleveland Cavaliers
Dayton | Position: PF | Height: 6-9
Status: Sophomore
Most Common: 5 (6)
Dynamic athlete who was National Player of the Year thanks to big dunks and ability to shoot from the outside; combination of size and athleticism make him an intriguing option
6. Onyeka Okongwu | Atlanta Hawks
USC | Position: C | Height: 6-9
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 6, 9 (3)
Raw, athletic big man has size and agility to become major finisher above the rim; Long wingspan and quickness make him potentially elite rim protector
7. Tyrese Haliburton | Detroit Pistons
Iowa State | Position: G | Height: 6-5
Status: Sophomore
Most Common: 6 (4)
Scoring guard put up good numbers (50.4% FG, 41.9% 3FG) in college; has the size and wingspan to make an impact on the other end
8. Killian Hayes | New York Knicks
Ulm, France | Position: G | Height: 6-5
Status: International
Most Common: 7 (3)
American-born lefty shooter who played overseas has raw talent and playmaking ability, but needs to improve on shooting
9. Isaac Okoro | Washington Wizards
Auburn | Position: F | Height: 6-6
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 7 (3)
A difference maker on both ends of the floor; can shut down opposing guards with a unique skillset, but needs to work on offensive game
10. Devin Vassell | Phoenix Suns
Florida State | Position: G/F | Height: 6-7
Status: Sophomore
Most Common: 8, 12 (3)
Multifaceted, athletic wing with all-around game that should translate well to NBA; Has explosiveness and leaping ability, can also shoot well from the outside
11. Patrick Williams | San Antonio Spurs
Florida State | Position: SF | Height: 6-8
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 11 (5)
Young big man has all the physical tools to become a lockdown defender; raw on offensive side of the ball, but showed flashes of a midrange game
12. Precious Achiuwa | Sacramento Kings
Memphis | Position: PF | Height: 6-9
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 9, 11 (2)
High-energy, athletic defender who has the size and athleticism to guard several positions; explosive on offense, but needs to work on offensive skillset
13. Aaron Nesmith | New Orleans Pelicans
Vanderbilt | Position: F | Height: 6-6
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 13 (3)
Possibly the best shooter in the draft, one who can score off the dribble, catch-and-shoot or in transition; has the size and length to become an elite player on both ends of the floor
14. Saddiq Bey | Boston Celtics
Villanova | Position: G/F | Height: 6-8
Status: Sophomore
Most Common: 10, 12, 13, 14 (1)
Prototypical 3-and-D player who can score in a variety of ways and defend multiple positions
Last updated: Oct. 21, 2020 (11:44 p.m. ET)
MOCK DRAFTS
ESPN.com
1. LaMelo Ball
2. Anthony Edwards
3. LaMelo Ball
4. Obi Toppin
5. Deni Avdija
6. Onyeka Okongwu
7. Tyrese Haliburton
8. Isaac Okoro
9. Precious Achiuwa
10. Aaron Nesmith
11. Devin Vassell
12. Saddiq Bey
13. Patrick Williams
14. Killian Hayes
Last updated: Aug. 21
The Ringer
1. Anthony Edwards
2. Deni Avdija
3. LaMelo Ball
4. Killian Hayes
5. James Wiseman
6. Isaac Okoro
7. Onyeka Okongwu
8. Tyrese Haliburton
9. Obi Toppin
10. Devin Vassell
11. Patrick Williams
12. RJ Hampton
13. Jalen Smith
14. Precious Achiuwa
Last updated: Oct. 14
The Athletic
1. LaMelo Ball
2. James Wiseman
3. Anthony Edwards
4. Deni Avdija
5. Obi Toppin
6. Tyrese Haliburton
7. Isaac Okoro
8. Devin Vassell
9. Onyeka Okongwu
10. Killian Hayes
11. Patrick Williams
12. RJ Hampton
13. Aaron Nesmith
14. Kira Lewis Jr.
Last updated: Oct. 13
SI.com
1. Anthony Edwards
2. James Wiseman
3. LaMelo Ball
4. Deni Avdija
5. Obi Toppin
6. Tyrese Haliburton
7. Killian Hayes
8. Isaac Okoro
9. Onyeka Okongwu
10. Precious Achiuwa
11. Patrick Williams
12. Devin Vassell
13. Aaron Nesmith
14. Saddiq Bey
Last updated: Oct. 14
Yahoo Sports
1. LaMelo Ball
2. James Wiseman
3. Anthony Edwards
4. Tyrese Haliburton
5. Deni Avdija
6. Obi Toppin
7. Onyeka Okongwu
8. Killian Hayes
9. Isaac Okoro
10. Aaron Nesmith
11. Devin Vassell
12. Patrick Williams
13. Tyrese Maxey
14. Cole Anthony
Last updated: Oct. 15
Bleacher Report
1. LaMelo Ball
2. James Wiseman
3. Anthony Edwards
4. Deni Avdija
5. Obi Toppin
6. Tyrese Haliburton
7. Isaac Okoro
8. Onyeka Okongwu
9. Precious Achiuwa
10. Killian Hayes
11. Patrick Williams
12. Devin Vassell
13. Jalen Smith
14. Kira Lewis Jr.
Last updated: Oct. 21
NetScouts Basketball
1. LaMelo Ball
2. James Wiseman
3. Anthony Edwards
4. Dani Avdija
5. Obi Toppin
6. Onyeka Okongwu
7. Killian Hayes
8. Devin Vassell
9. Tyrese Haliburton
10. Isaac Okoro
11. Aaron Nesmith
12. Patrick Williams
13. Saddiq Bey
14. Kira Lewis, Jr.
Last updated: Oct. 20
CBS Sports (Gary Parrish)
1. LaMelo Ball
2. Anthony Edwards
3. James Wiseman
4. Obi Toppin
5. Deni Avdija
6. Onyeka Okongwu
7. Isaac Okoro
8. Killian Hayes
9. Tyrese Haliburton
10. Saddiq Bey
11. Precious Achiuwa
12. Aaron Nesmith
13. Devin Vassell
14. Kira Lewis Jr.
Last updated: Oct. 9
CBS Sports (Kyle Boone)
1. LaMelo Ball
2. Anthony Edwards
3. James Wiseman
4. Deni Avdija
5. Obi Toppin
6. Tyrese Haliburton
7. Killian Hayes
8. Patrick Williams
9. Onyeka Okongwu
10. Isaac Okoro
11. Precious Achiuwa
12. Devin Vassell
13. Aaron Nesmith
14. Kira Lewis, Jr.
Last updated: Oct. 21
SB Nation
1. Anthony Edwards
2. LaMelo Ball
3. Onyeka Okongwu
4. Killian Hayes
5. Obi Toppin
6. Deni Avdija
7. James Wiseman
8. Devin Vassell
9. Tyrese Haliburton
10. Tyrese Maxey
11. Patrick Williams
12. Isaac Okoro
13. Aleksej Pokusevski
14. Cole Anthony
Last updated: Aug. 20
* * *
ESPN Insider: Jonathan Givony
The Ringer: Kevin O’Connor
The Athletic: Sam Vecenie
SI.com: Jeremy Woo
Bleacher Report: Jonathan Wasserman
Yahoo Sports: Krysten Peek
NetScouts Basketball: Carl Berman
CBS Sports: Kyle Boone, Gary Parrish
SB Nation: Ricky O’Donnell
