0 out of 5
Jeff Chiu / Associated Press
We now know the sequence of the long-delayed and much-discussed 2020 NBA concept.
Each level of certainty helps in a design process that figures to incorporate more advice and distinct, team-specific eye-of-the-container evaluation than one in recent memory.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the top pick, followed by the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers to finish in the top five.
This class lacks a clear No.1 prospect, and the pandemic eliminates several pre-draft staples: personal workouts at team events, face-to-face interviews, and the entire NCAA tournament. That leaves each team with far less information than it would normally have for a decision so big.
Anyone who packs high into the concept should target the best available player. The problem is that each of the teams that select in the lottery may have a different opinion about who the player is.
The preference of one team may not be in the top five of another – or even top 10. And several clubs would probably rather avoid choosing first with so little certainty of a superstar’s landing and associated with so much pressure to that draft slot. At the same time, we know that one fixates on one perspective and offers what it takes to get him.
These conditions create an environment ripe for trade. We have a few options here.
1 out of 5
Nick Wass / Associated Press
The trade: Golden State Warriors send the no. 2-pick, a first-round pick in 2021 (top-three protected via the Minnesota Timberwolves) and Andrew Wiggins to the Washington Wizards for Bradley Beal and Washington’s no. 9-pick in 2020.
James Wiseman would be an intriguing selection if the Warriors choose to keep their choice. He’s a very tall athlete with legit center size (7’1 “, 240 lbs) and, perhaps, the highest two-to-top side in the class. However, Dubs’ window is now open, and Beal would make a much bigger short term influence.
Plus, wings are still king in the modern NBA. Golden State might be able to cut its big man at No. 9 if Obi Toppin or Onyeka Okongwu slip. That’s a win-win, though you should expect Washington to try to keep its choice in this scenario.
There’s a chance Washington will move on to Beal before he sees John Wall again. Still, that pick from Wolves in 2021 is hugely valuable, and Wiseman would give the Wizards a bridge to the post-Wall era of the franchise. The Wizards were able to use a fresh start.
The downside to Golden State in this scenario is that it would not have its juiciest design power to pair with its exception of $ 17.2 million traded player. As a fallback in the somewhat likely event that Washington deviates from this, the Warriors could pick their 2020 pick or the one coming from Minnesota in 2021 with that exception for someone like Marcus Smart or JJ Redick.
2 out of 5
Rick Rycroft / Associated Press
The trade: New York Knicks sends the no. 8-pick, a first-round pick in 2021 (via the Dallas Mavericks) and Reggie Bullock to the Warriors for the no. 2-pick and Jordan Poole.
The Warriors would certainly like to get more for their pick than Reggie Bullock, a six-slot slide down the lottery and what will likely be a first-round pick in the next 20 seasons, but there is simply no telling what the market is up to is for her No. 2 selections will appear there.
(As separate, the Dubs would have to add a little more salary next to Poole to make this work. But we will not get too hung up on the details.)
This is about the Knicks anyway, and after slipping to number 8, the new regime will probably feel more urgency to trade for the man they want.
That guy might be LaMelo Ball.
Ball has question marks, just like any other top prospect in this concept. But there is no doubt that he has vision at the next level, poor ball handling skills and the size at 6’7 “to maximize both elite tools. New York’s scoring game has been unlucky for years, and neither Dennis Smith Jr. nor Frank Ntilikina showed everything in 2019-20 to indicate that they can change that.
The Warriors were able to take advantage of Bullock’s long distance play, yet gain a quality perspective at no. 8 and use the extra incoming pick to attach to their TPE. This feels like a solid win for the Dubs, but there is also a chance that Ball is a truly special talent that is worth the cost of trading to get him. If he is, the Knicks would come forward.
They need to come for a while.
3 out of 5
Gerry Broome / Associated Press
The trade: The Phoenix Suns send Kelly Oubre Jr. and the No. 10 pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Dante Exum and the No. 5 pick.
There is a good chance that Oubre is the best player involved in this deal, which probably says more about the quality of the Nos. 5 and 10 picks in this year’s concept than anything else. Yet all it will take for a trade like this to come down is a belief within the Suns organization that there is a transformation star in this class and that he will be off the board by the time they choose.
Phoenix would be wise to fixate on a score of points, preferably one with a strong defensive presence. If it could be certain that Tyrese Haliburton was there at no. 10 would be, it would make no sense to make this deal. But Haliburton seems likely to be off the board by Phoenix’s selection, and Ball certainly won’t be either.
If Phoenix is in Killian Hayes or with Devin Vassell with three and D perspectives from Florida State, then that’s even more reason to stand pat.
The Cavs would actually be the most interested party here, because the selection no. 10 their cracks should give on various useful wings. Designing for positional need is always a bad call in the lottery, but it’s still hard to imagine Cleveland would kneel a backcourt player after taking Collin Sexton and Darius Garland with their last two lottery picks. And with Andre Drummond and Kevin Love in front, there’s a gap on the wing.
Oubre and what combo ahead is equally great to get (Isaac Okoro, Deni Avdija, Aaron Nesmith) could plug that hole.
The inclusion of Exum here is mostly about salary, but it’s worth remembering that its design profile in 2014 included backcourt defense and the development of games that the Suns are looking for. Perhaps there is still a chance that the injury-plagued guard will realize his potential.
4 out of 5
Ashley Landis / Associated Press
The trade: Chicago Bulls send the no. 4 pick, Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine and Coby White to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons
Perhaps the new Bulls management, led by vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas, would hesitate to go nuclear so soon. But as the ongoing post-implosion of the Philadelphia 76ers continues, you know there will be itchy trigger fingers in Philly.
This trade would only happen if the Sixers decide that Joel Embiid, not Simmons, is the man to build to move forward.
The Bulls would pass on a lot of young talent here, but that’s the cost of doing business if you catch on to a real superstar. That’s what Simmons is, in fact, even if his jumper never comes and even if he never really got a chance to prove it next to ill-fitting staff with the Sixers.
Simmons was able to transform the Bulls, and his unique skill set could build them the grid, however they choose. Defenders of five positions who can turn the ball around and play point guard at 6’10 “have a way of making options in the roster.
Meanwhile, the Sixers would get a ton of offensive punch in the bargain. LaVine is wrongly set as a primary score, but he would look great as a second high-volume option playing from Embiid. Markkanen and White were able to spread the floor and pick up the pace in transition, respectively.
The no. 4-choice coming to the Sixers may seem like a hindrance, but it could ultimately be useful as a sweetie in a future for a deal of the contract owed to Al Horford as Tobias Harris.
5 out of 5
Jeff Roberson / Associated Press
The trade: Atlanta Hawks send the no. 6-pick, Kevin Huerter and a pick in the first round of 2022 (via Oklahoma City Thunder, top-14 protected) to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the no. 1 pick
It all depends on Atlanta that Georgia product Anthony Edwards sees and the decision have to have him as Trae Young’s long term backcourt sidekick.
Edwards is one of the few players who appears to be locked in a top-three spot, and it is quite possible that the Wolves consider him to be the obvious choice at no. 1. But if Minnesota focuses on Edwards ‘dubious selection of shots and inconsistent defensive effort, it could just as easily decide that the Hawks’ supply is too good to pass up.
In Atlanta, the best version of Edwards would add high-end shoe creation and a ton of heels in addition to the bright Young. At a wooded 6’5 “, the scoring guard has the frame and athletic ability to develop into an ace defender, something the Hawks badly need so they can hide Young at that end.
Huerter will likely profile as a reserve in Minnesota, as the team will likely retain Malik Beasley in limited free agency. But there’s no such thing as shooting too much, and Red Velvet is at 38.3 percent deep for his career despite shuttling in and out of the rotation due to an injury. He can play, and who the Wolves at no. 6 pack, could finally be as valuable as Edwards.
Stats courtesy of NBA.com, Basketball Reference and Cleaning the Glass. Salary info via basketball insiders.
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