Rex Foster’s 2020 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

With multiple trades taking place this week, there are going to be plenty of changes in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft.

The clock is ticking as the 2020 NBA Draft is now just hours away and NuggLove’s Rex Foster has delivered the third and final version of his 2020 NBA Mock Draft for Denver Nuggets fans.

Due to recent trades and draft reports, there’s a lot of shake up in Rex’s 2020 NBA Mock Draft 3.0. However, the consensus top-10 picks have largely remained the same.

This is a scenario that should be mimicked in real life when the 2020 NBA Draft begins at 8PM EST on ESPN.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have yet to fully commit to drafting either Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball with the first overall pick.

However, it would be nothing but foolish to select the ball-dominant Ball with D’Angelo Russell already running the offense. Meanwhile, Edwards would be an explosive scorer to place next to Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns, especially with Malik Beasley becoming a restricted free agent this offseason.

James Wiseman is the missing piece to the puzzle for the Golden State Warriors.

If the Warriors are expecting another Finals push next season, they have to find a solution for the Anthony Davis’ and Nikola Jokics of the West, that’s already been proven. Adding a skilled 7’1″ center should be the first step in Golden State’s return to glory.

The Charlotte Hornets need to address their frontcourt problems and if Wiseman doesn’t make it past the Warriors, drafting USC’s Onyeka Okongwu is a solid contingency plan. Though undersized for the position at 6’9,” Okongwu’s energy and versatility make up for whatever physical shortcomings he may have.

Okongwu has been compared to Miami Heat rising star Bam Adebayo for his radical shot-blocking talent and rebounding ability.

(Editor’s note: Okongwu reportedly has a foot injury that may effect his draft stock)

The Chicago Bulls’ offense has been nothing but messy for the past couple of years. It’s clear that the Bulls lack a lead playmaker and a guard to create instant offense.

LaMelo Ball is arguably the most talented passer in this draft class and can create a plethora of opportunities for their frontcourt pair of Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen.

Versatile forward Deni Avdija fills many holes for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv product provides exceptional ball-handling and playmaking for a 6-9 forward while maintaining a solid defensive presence on and off the ball. With a roster already filled with young guards and bigs, Avdija seems like the perfect fit for Cleveland.

Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton would compliment Trae Young very well despite the Atlanta Hawks already having a few young guards on the roster.

With Young furnishing a majority of the scoring, Haliburton’s playmaking ability would not only complement Young but also John Collins and Clint Capela. Atlanta, who surrendered the most point per game last season (119.7), could also use Haliburton’s high defensive IQ.

The Detroit Pistons’ rebuild is well underway and Killian Hayes is a wise investment for them moving forward. A shifty ball-handler who has seen his game steadily develop, Hayes can be Detroit’s point guard of the future.

Unlike former first-round pick Kevin Knox, Dayton’s Obi Toppin has proven that he’s NBA-ready. A gifted athlete, skilled scorer and respectable interior defender, Toppin can provide a spark to the weary New York Knicks.

More importantly, he’s a pick that shows they’re serious about taking a step forward as a franchise.

The Washington Wizards are still led by a John Wall-Bradley Beal backcourt which means it’s time to capitalize on their biggest weakness. Defense.

This would remain true even if the Wizards completed a Wall-Westbrook swap. Auburn’s Isaac Okoro is the best defensive wing in this draft class — with a do-whatever-it-takes mindset reminiscent of defensive stalwart Marcus Smart — and can make an instant impact for one of the worst defensive teams in the league.

Although the Phoenix Suns have traded for future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul – a terrific addition for a now solidified playoff team — they should devote time to develop a sure-fire point guard for the future when the aging Paul is no longer with the team.

Kira Lewis Jr., a speedster out of Alabama, can provide energy off the bench while developing under one of the best point guards of all- time. During his short stint in Oklahoma City, Paul had a similar opportunity in mentoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; under CP3s watch, SGA made massive strides as a player.

Patrick Williams could be the ideal combo forward in today’s NBA with his combination of length, athleticism, shooting touch and shot-blocking talent. Should he develop into one of the league’s most respected one players, in 5-10 years we’ll be saying that he was a classic Spurs pick.

Forget Kentucky and Duke, Villanova has had a history of producing substantial NBA-ready talent over the past decade. With that noted, Saddiq Bey is arguably the safest player to choose in the draft as he has the tools to be a long-term NBA starter.

Bey is a talented three-and-D wing with playmaking potential that can be slotted into any franchise. Given the Sacramento Kings’ lackluster draft history, they could surely use a player like Bey to help change the tides.

I can’t emphasize it enough: surround New Orleans Pelicans cornerstone Zion Williamson with shooters. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, Josh Hart looked like he took a step back last year and J.J Redick isn’t getting any younger.

Florida State’s Devin Vassell brings New Orleans a fresh catch-and-shoot threat who is also a versatile defender.

The Boston Celtics need to upgrade their frontcourt in order to get past the mighty frontcourt players in the Eastern Conference at minimum. Maryland center Jalen Smith is a big body that Celtics head coach Brad Stevens can place in the paint to protect the rim but he can also space the floor – a crucial skill for the modern-day big man.

The Orlando Magic need a backcourt player who can play behind Markelle Fultz.

Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey fits Orlando’s strong defensive identity and plays with unbridled energy.

On Monday night, the Houston Rockets traded forward Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Trevor Ariza, the 16th overall pick, and a future first-round pick; a smart trade for both sides.

With the 16th pick, Houston should look to add a player who can actually play big when they go small: Memphis’ Precious Achiuwa.

They don’t admit dummies to Stanford so, surely, Tyrell Terry is no dummy.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a chance to select one of the more overlooked players in the draft in Terry. At 20-years-old, he’s an elite offensive player who shoots well, is a crafty finisher and thinks outside the box when finding his teammates.

Simply put, Josh Green provides the Dallas Mavericks with backcourt defense.

The Mavericks should jump at the chance to draft an NBA-ready two-way wing to play alongside Luka Doncic along the perimeter. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Seth Curry are ideal guards to complement Doncic offensively but are average-at-best defensively. Green is no black hole offensively though, moving the ball well and shooting 36.1% from three in his sole season at Arizona.

With the Brooklyn Nets looking to add a third star to their win-now roster, drafting Jaden McDaniels should be selected to serve as a developing talent in case the Nets decide to trade multiple future first-round picks or one of the emerging talents already on the roster (like Caris LeVert).

McDaniels is not NBA-ready but he has the potential to be an above-average player if he plays consistently and puts it all together.

Miami Heat president Pat Riley is notorious for pin-pointing talent in the draft.

Former New Zealand Breakers point guard R.J. Hampton put on quite a show in the NBL and against pros; with his potential, he can be a more-than-solid replacement for Goran Dragic.

As they attempt to reconfigure their roster, the Philadelphia 76ers are in dire need of a primary ball-handler who can shoot from the perimeter.

If it weren’t for a dreadful freshman year at North Carolina, Cole Anthony may have been a top prospect in this year’s draft.

The Denver Nuggets are looking to secure the best player remaining on their draft board with the 22nd overall pick.

If Aaron Nesmith falls to Denver, Nuggets president Tim Connelly shouldn’t hesitate to draft the wing out of Vanderbilt. Nesmith can be a terrific three-and-D option for Denver, even if he doesn’t play immediately.

Veteran point guard Mike Conley is one of the league’s underrated producers but he’s 33-years-old and the Utah Jazz don’t have a long-term answer at point guard to complement Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt if he chooses to stay in Utah next summer.

For the meantime, Jahmi’us Ramsey can be used as a scoring spark off the bench.

(Editor’s note: the Jazz have agreed to trade the 23rd overall pick to the Knicks for the 27th and 38th overall picks) 

On Monday night, the New Orleans Pelicans traded Jrue Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and three first-round draft picks, including the 24th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

With plenty of future first round picks (New Orleans also acquired four first-round picks for Anthony Davis), New Orleans can afford to take an older player. Flynn, who is 22-years-old, can form a solid pick-and-roll partner with Zion Williamson and can also shoot from deep at a high clip.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have begun their rebuild after trading Chris Paul for a package centered around Kelly Oubre Jr. and trading Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers; they can bear to take a risk in the first round.

Thin and relatively inexperienced but undeniably skilled at 7’3,” Aleksej Pokusevski is a high-risk, high-reward prospect. Like fellow Serbian native Nikola Jokic, Pokusevski is a guard occupying a big’s body, often showing off his playmaking, ball-handling and perimeter shooting.

22-year-old Desmond Bane is one of the many promising three-and-D wings in this draft class; you can never carry enough three-and-D players in today’s NBA.

At TCU, Bane shot 44.2% from 3-point range and was a valued defender. He’s a win-now selection for the Boston Celtics.

The New York Knicks continue to add more promising frontcourt depth, this time in the form of bruiser Isaiah Stewart.

A defensive-minded head coach, Tom Thibodeau will likely give more minutes to the long and suffocating Frank Ntilikina although it’s widely believed that the Knicks need a modern-day point guard. So, New York, be patient with drafting your point guard of the future.

Stewart can receive minutes behind Mitchell Robinson at center and help New York develop one of the more formidable frontcourts in the East.

The Oklahoma City Thunder lost two key guards this week in Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder. However, although this pick is still technically the Los Angeles Lakers, the prospect that’s selected 28th overall will go to Oklahoma City.

Leandro Bolmaro, an NBA-ready guard and talented playmaker, has the opportunity to play a substantial chunk of minutes this season. I can’t find a better guard to pair franchise cornerstone Shai Gilegous Alexander next to.

Despite winning an NBA championship just a year and a half ago, there’s uncertainty regarding Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol’s future with the Toronto Raptors as they prepare for free agency.

The athletic Zeke Nnaji can easily replace one of the two centers if either were to leave this offseason.

With All-Star point guard Kemba Walker’s recurring injury history and Brad Wanamaker’s pending free agency, it would be ideal for the Boston Celtics to use their last first round pick on a floor general.

How do you think the 2020 NBA Draft will go down? Let us know in the comments section or Twitter @Nugg_Love.