With one week to go until the 2020 NBA draft, we’re continuing to get conflicting information on LaMelo Ball‘s outlook. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said that most front office are operating under the assumption that Ball will be the No. 1 pick. Today, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes that league sources have begun speculating that the Timberwolves have decided to draft Ball, assuming they keep the top selection.
However, there’s still plenty of chatter pointing in another direction. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said this week during an appearance on The Jump (video link) that many of the executives he has spoken to think Ball could slide a little on draft night. Jeremy Woo of SI.com has heard similar whispers, writing that there’s an increasing belief that Ball could fall into the 4-6 range of the draft.
As we wait to see which reports pan out, here are several more draft-related updates:
- Vanderbilt sharpshooter Aaron Nesmith told reporters today that he has worked out for the Pelicans, Suns, Spurs, Heat, and Pistons so far, and has a workout lined up with the Celtics (Twitter link via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington). Nesmith is considered likely to be drafted in the back half of the lottery.
- Arizona guard Josh Green has worked out for the Nuggets, while his college teammate Zeke Nnaji has had workouts for the Nuggets, Clippers, and Jazz, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Green’s workout with Utah and Nnaji’s workout with Miami – both mentioned by Rankin – were previously reported.
- Count K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link) among those hearing more and more talk around the NBA linking the Hornets to Onyeka Okongwu. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer previously reported that Charlotte is eyeing Okongwu, but ESPN said the team hasn’t seriously considered picking any prospects outside the top tier of Ball, James Wiseman, and Anthony Edwards.
- ESPN draft experts Jonathan Givony, Mike Schmitz, and Kevin Pelton share their mock draft detailing which player each team in the first round should pick.
I know everyone is comparing Onyeka Okongwu to Bam, but could he be the next Bismack Biyombo? Where’s the separation? And what’s the difference? All three are 6-9 centers that are athletic. What makes Bam an All Star & Biyombo a bust?
Bam defensive versatility and playmaking/ball skills, Also Onyeka shot 73% from the line so that indicates he has some touch
I see what you’re saying but bam has more feel for the game than biyombo. Also bam has touch and can develop a 3pter. Biyombo is just a undersized version of javale or dwight. He also can’t catch a cold lol
Makes sense. I guess the two are different as night and day. One guy can play ball the other guy really can’t. My mistake is thinking because they’re the same size and play the same sort of position that could be similar. That’s really way off thinking if analyzed a little. One guy’s terrible the other guy’s got skills. I guess I’m wondering how do we know if Okongwu is Bam and not Biyombo ??
We don’t. If we knew, everyone would know who to draft. The draft is just a guessing game. Most of the these prospects are going to be more bust than boom, the job of a GM is to get it right more often than you get it wrong.
If it came from Windhorst. It’s bad info.
Life…is unpredictable. But I would bet my hard earned wage that Ball is the first selection. Newspapers just need something to fill the pages…if you ask me
Both could be true. Ball may have slipped down the preference list, but Ball’s candidacy is all about being the future difference-maker; the home run swing; what Gersas is looking for, if not a typical Wolves fan looking to avoid blowing the #1 pick.
Also he might want the tone-setter to be someone not named Russell or Towns, to keep the whole team involved & aggressive.
Okongwu is much more athletic than Biyombo. There’s no comparison lol. Actually Okongwu is a good pick at 3. Better than Ball will ever be. Listen Lonzo is the best Ball. So nobody is taking Lonzo over Edwards, Wiseman, Okongwu, Toppin, Deni, Halliburton, Hayes, Okoro, even Vassell or Williams. Look at it that way. Ball is going to fall on draft night. He is a one way player. Who can’t shoot right now. How is that a #1 pick. I take Achiuwa before I take Ball. Not a big fan if Williams either. Knicks better not take Ball. He is a lottery Bust.
No way LaMelo falls out of the top 3, but if he does will be teams with huge regrets moving forward!