Every NBA lottery teams best possible draft outcome(1-5)
Photo credit: @NBA
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards, CG, Georgia
Photo credit: Basketball Society
Anthony Edwards continued to see his name in the top 5 mock drafts consistently his freshman year at Georgia. Edwards is a 6’5 CG who just turned 20 years young this past month. He was awarded Second team All-SEC and SEC Freshman of the Year in his lone season. Anthony is an offensive bucket, having averaged 19ppg, shooting 40% from the field and 77% from the line. With Edwards having to shoulder the load offensively for the Bulldogs I’m not looking too deeply into his 29% three point shooting and the fact he looks sometimes lackadaisical could also be the fact he’s just more skilled then everyone on the court. Look for Timberwolves to do there due diligence on players like LaMelo Ball and Obi Toppin but Anthony Edwards to me is the best fit alongside the offensive minded scoring lead guard in D’Angelo Russell and KAT. Edwards would have the opportunity to be a third option which seems to be a perfect fit for him, look for Edwards to thrive off transition threes, spot ups and attacking the rim to help spread the floor which Minnesota desperately needs help with.
Here’s Anthony Edwards freshman highlights https://youtu.be/WyF5zCPQFW4
2. Golden State Warriors
James Wiseman, C, Memphis
Photo credit: Mercury News
Here are James Wiseman’s freshman highlights: https://youtu.be/Wn7Hc1uoRAM
3. Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball, CG, NBL
The Charlotte Hornets have had terrible luck when it’s come to the NBA draft, recently drafted players include Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who’s shot mechanics are the worst I’ve seen since watching the NBA. Cody Zeller a prototypical big man who’s athletic but was definitely a reach at 4 in the 2013 draft, current MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo went (15). Charlotte alsomissing out on players like, CJ McCollum(10), Steven Adams(12), Dennis Schröder(17), Tim Hardaway(24) and Rudy Gobert(27). In 2014 Hornets went with Noah Vonleh at (9) who now is riding the bench in Orlando for the Denver Nuggets. In that same draft they missed on players such as, Zach Lavine(13), TJ Warren(14), Jusuf Nurkić(16), Gary Harris(19), Rodney Hood(23), Bogdan Bogdanović(27). Joe Harris(33) and Spencer Dinwiddie(38). Long story short other than last years draft where the Hornets found gold in Devonte Graham they look to get the best overall player available at there spot and I believe they go with the ever so famous LaMelo Ball. Ball has been compared to the likes of Penny Hardaway, and a younger Shaun Livingston. LaMelo has the chance to be the best overall player in the draft and could make the argument he is the most skilled player in this years draft. Ball passes with either hand easily in a league where everything is sped up, the 6’7 CG plays with great pace and knows how to control the game even at the young age of 18. Charlotte will look to add Ball and play him and Graham together in the backcourt. Balls numbers don’t result in hi, being valued as a shooter although he has some mechanical issues, he has very deep three point range and has a shooters mindset that the next shot is going in. He should be a great fit along side PJ Washington and Miles Bridges , both players will thrive in a up and down, run and gun offense LaMelo has been used to playing ever since he was a child.
Here’s LaMelo’s drat analysis: https://youtu.be/5d3MNxZ07Ic
4. Chicago Bulls
Killian Hayes, PG, France
Photo Credit: Busting Brackets
The Chicago Bulls have been in search for their point guard of the future and they very well may get him in this years draft. Only 19 and at 6’5 Hayes has great size for a lead guard in this league, he is offensive minded and loves to go left as he is a left handed player. Hayes must bulk up, cut down on his turnovers and work on his right hand to become a true top guard in this league but he has the potential to do so. With Lavine at the two and Otto Porter jr. in his last year of his contract look for a lineup like Hayes, Coby White, Lavine, Markkanen and Wendell Carter jr possibly as soon as the 2021. With Hayes the Bulls would have a guard who can develop with the other young guys on the team fitting the time table, plus Hayes has one of the best upsides/star potential in this draft, look for the Bulls to slightly reach for Hayes and grab there point guard of the future.
Here are some Killian Hayes highlights: https://youtu.be/w8XuBOvqoec
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Obi Toppin, PF/C, Dayton
Photo credit: At the Hive
Obi Toppin out of Dayton was one of the most explosive and exciting players in all of college basketball this past season. Having averaged an impressive 20ppg, 7.5 rebounds and 2 assists while shooting 63% from the field. At 6’9 Toppin may be a bit undersized at the center position but with the NBA moving into smaller and smaller “death lineups” look for Toppin to thrive in a role like that in Cleveland. Whether that’s playing at the four alongside either Drummond or Thompson, or if it means starting at the 5 and having a spot up shooter like Kevin Love by his side to help spread the floor. Either of these roles Toppin looks like the most sure thing in the lottery when it comes to right away contributions and production. The reason for Obi not going higher than 5 is for whatever reason the NBA look negatively on “older” players in the draft. Look for Toppin to bring a lot of energy with his athleticism in transition, he will need to work on his foot speed and defense before garnishing real consistent NBA minutes.
Here are Obi Toppin highlights: https://youtu.be/yxpzVO39yCc
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