In his latest mock draft in advance of tonight’s event, Jeremy Woo of SI.com shares several interesting tidbits, writing that Killian Hayes is “strongly in play” for the Pistons at No. 7 and suggesting there’s some concern about Aaron Nesmith‘s injured foot, which ended his season at Vanderbilt.
Woo also hears from sources that Cole Anthony has interviewed in recent days with multiple teams outside the top 20 and that the Celtics and Spurs would be among the teams with interest in Onyeka Okongwu if he slides out of the top 10 due to his foot injury.
Woo reports that there’s “significant traction” for Devin Vassell within the Knicks‘ front office, making him a viable option at No. 8 if the team stays put. Finally, Woo says the Celtics have shown interest in Duke big man Vernon Carey Jr., who could be an option at No. 26 or No. 30.
Here’s more on the 2020 NBA draft:
- The Hawks are currently planning to keep and use the No. 6 pick tonight, a source tells Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). That could change if Atlanta gets a surprise last-minute offer, Wasserman cautions, but for the time being, it sounds as if the team is comfortable staying put.
- We still don’t know with any certainty which player the Timberwolves will select with the No. 1 pick tonight, but Georgia guard Anthony Edwards has emerged as the betting favorite at Las Vegas sportsbooks, writes David Purdum of ESPN.com.
- While USC big man Onyeka Okongwu may not be ready for training camp due to a foot injury, it sounds like the issue shouldn’t impact his draft stock too significantly. One source who spoke to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer (Twitter link) predicted that Okongwu will still likely come off the board before the Wizards pick at No. 9.
Y’all really gonna let Cole slide? bet
Right, lol I really hope the magic take him. They desperately need a playmaking, scoring PG
I’m not buying it. He’s top 15 in my book and I’d even take him around 10 if the need is there (if Haliburton is gone, I’d even take him at 8 if I were the Knicks). This is a weak draft and there isn’t enough gap in between players to question pick 10 vs 15, etc. Anthony has some decent upside and wish we were able to see more last year.
Maybe LaMelo Ball would accept a role on the MIN bench for his year 19 season?
Top two picks will set up the night. We could have one or both teams trading out. Ball is falling tonight. I see him to Pistons at 7. I’m praying to basketball gods he’s not there at 8. Cause Knicks might feel pressure to take him. It will ruin my yr. Really ruin it. Pandemic sucks
LaMelo could be the ROY in the right situation
The Knicks FO is so large that every player in the draft could get traction with some people within it. But I suspected for weeks that Vassell would be their pick at #8, so I’ll take it.
Cole Anthony needs to get away from the NYC / UNC hype and find his way in the league. He fits best right now as a scoring PG off the bench. Boston or Miami would be good fits for him. I would prefer Maxey to him, but each has plusses and minuses relative to the other. I could easily see either fall past 20.
Take Vassel or Nesmith at #8 and Anthony at #23