JWoo's 2020 first round draft analysis
Posted: November 20th, 2024, 5:56 pm
It's me again, trying to fund camps for the Raptors 905 and giving you a blow by blow of the 2020 first round. I'm not grading the picks but I will offer some professional analysis out of boredom.
1. Denver Nuggets - LaMelo Ball
There was no element of choice here, but I do think the upside is pretty sizeable. Worst case is he's Trae Young with defense and rebounding? Still not a good case. But I have a hard time believing the Big Baller would let his boy bust. Pause
2. Washington Bullets - Anthony Edwards
It's an interesting debate - would Ant-Man go 1 if this was a democracy? Has LaVar Ball's fascist reign impacted too many lives already? We'll find out. Edwards might be the centerpiece player the Bullets Ballers are desperately looking for right now.
3. Washington Bullets (from HOU) - Tyrese Maxey
Maxey has great notes and could be a pretty perfect FBB point guard on the offensive end. It's possible he unseats Trae Young in DC after a good TC. I kinda like Haliburton more? But it's a debate. The Bullets have so much concentrated blue chip talent and what direction they take is a huge plotline now. Is Weston's rebuild the case for tanking...or against it???
4. Miami Heat - James Wiseman
This is the first BIG BALLER (i have no idea how to do the pink text, sorry) move of the draft: Scoops takes a huge swing on a guy who sucks in real life, will presumably give him an extra 10 potential, and hope he turns out better than Darko did. We'll see how it works out for him and whether this turns out to be a home run or a reach. Not sure there's an in-between outcome considering the pretty solid looking players who came off the board right after him.
5. Dallas Mavericks - Desmond Bane
I think Bane is gonna be really good. I have gone as far as to dub him the new Anthony Parker. However, would I have personally taken him over Haliburton, probably not. He should slide in nicely in Dallas which has a need for him immediately as they rebuild. Hoff presumably is invested in THT as his future PG project, so I get it.
6. Detroit Pistons - Tyrese Haliburton
He was the steal of the draft IRL. Was he the steal of the draft BBL? We'll find out. But a really nice coup for RB after he successfully executed a midseason tank. I feel pretty good about him being a good starter long-term - he'll shoot and take care of the ball and maybe do more than that. Conspiracy theory that LaVar tanked his stock is in full force.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Immanuel Quickley
IQ looks like a pretty great game manager type of guard. He won't get PG TCs but he already has good handling and minimal passing. A good fit for Pankin as he tries to put a new supporting cast next to Giannis and KAT - Quick won't get in the way or hurt the offense, probably.
8. Toronto Raptors (from CHA) - Isaac Okoro
Okoro was the fifth player on my board so was pretty stoked to get him at No. 8. I love that he's already good in some key areas (handling, steals, strength/quickness) and think he has a pretty good floor as a rotation-level wing as long as he gets to an average level as a shooter. TC Jesus help me out and make him more than that please.
9. Brooklyn (?) Nets - Devin Vassell
Why the Nets relocated is a mystery. Vassell has Jeremy Lamb type of profile, he has a good scoring base and pretty good notes, I can see him turning into a starter with pretty regular development and camps. Woulda been sick in the NDL but it's fine.
10. Washington Bullets - Deni Avdija
Deni seems to have a pretty good array of skills other than shooting and handling, which are important, but overall has a cool FBB profile for a role player. If I were Wes I might have taken a more SLN-ready player here rather than another guy who needs great development rolls? But I think this is the right range for Deni overall.
11. Golden State Warriors - Precious Achiuwa
This was a good selection for fit by Clint - Precious can probably log some bench minutes right away with those B/B ratings. Maybe not the same level of upside as some others, but probably going to be solid. Curious how his turnovers translate from real life (or don't).
12. Dallas Mavericks (from CHI) Patrick Williams
I think a good play by Hoff to move up using CJ McCollum — Williams is high risk/high reward and needs good TCs, but also this is a good range to take a project player and Hoff is playing the long game, so I like the fit even if I don't love the actual player as much. Maybe him being butt IRL has just tanked his stock a bit.
13. Los Angeles Clippers - Onyeka Okongwu
This guy was kinda overrated IRL at the time but also is pretty reliable. I think a good piece for the Clippers to rebuild with - maybe he becomes a good defensive anchor behind Fultz. Will he shoot too much - maybe - but he's a really good FT shooter for a center IRL so I'm guessing there's a chance he's offensively competent in SLN. I like the pick, preferred him to Precious and Stewart by a hair personally.
14. Boston Celtics - Saddiq Bey
Saddiq is kinda similar to Taurean Prince to me for some reason, and he should be really nice in the NDL - a good snag for Joe to keep developing depth. He'll prob be a bucket in Maine.
15. Indiana Pacers (trade with Dallas) - Isaiah Stewart
Beef Stew feels Looney-ish. Which means he's gonna break your heart, Tong.
16. Boston Celtics - Jaden McDaniels
I would have preferred Pritchard or Toppin here probably depending on whether or not Joe is able to trigger the McDaniels stip. Is his brother Jalen or KJ McDaniels???? Find out next week on Maury...
17. Denver Nuggets - Payton Pritchard
I had PP as a late lottery guy, I think he'll absolutely murk the NDL and turn into a fringe starter type player with the gains and camps he deserves. Probably gonna be low turnover and shoot it pretty well. This is one of my favorite value picks of the draft.
18. Houston Rockets - Obi Toppin
Maybe Obi fell a little too far? He feels like the type of guy someone will move to small forward. Good scoring, not much else, but also a great spot to snag a guy with a draft profile. I like the value for Nolan even if he can't go to the NDL.
19. Dallas Mavericks (trade with IND) - Cole Anthony
Cole Anthony does not excite me IRL, so I don't know what I think of this, but he has solid ratings and might be a nice game manager type guy despite not having great surface potential.
20. Sacramento Kings - Poku
I said this on the pod but I feel like it would be too obvious for LaVar to make Poku the sleeper of this draft. I do think he has a very fun NDL profile - he'll probably get stocks and be decent and have a chance to develop as a teen with boosts. Jesse does have a good hit rate on these guys though so who knows.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (trade with HOU) - Jalen Smith
I cannot tell you how much I detested Stix as a prospect. That take aged well. Let's hope his FBB chances are better. He stinks
22. Memphis Grizzlies - Kira Lewis Jr.
Another guy who was low key kind of a bum IRL and got overdrafted, then tore his ACL. He seems to have fun FBB upside though! Good NDL stash.
23. Washington Bullets - KJ Martin
How much Kenyon Martin did LaVar code into Kenyon Jr.'s DNA??? Can't wait to see. Liked him as a stash.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LAL) - Xavier Tillman Sr.
Loved this pick. Loved Tillman IRL but he had a really bad back that tanked his stock lol. I think he'll be a really nice value pick for the Cavs and a rotation guy off the bench.
25. Detroit Pistons - Aaron Nesmith
I was at an epic game between Auburn and Vandy that year where Nesmith broke his foot while dueling with Isaac Okoro head to head. Much like IRL, Nesmith is boring but probably going to be fine.
26. New York Knicks - Tre Jones
What percent of Tyus Jones is Tre going to be? No idea. But a decent gamble late in the first.
27. Miami Heat - Killian Hayes
This guy fooled a lot of people. Mostly by being French. The NDL backcourt of Hayes and Hampton is pretty funny/fun. Miami all in on upside picking three teenagers in this class, I love it.
28. Milwaukee Bucks - Skylar Mays
In case anyone didn't know, Skylar Mays is actually a doctor which was why his nickname was "Doctor."
29. Houston Rockets (trade back with PHI) - Omer Yurtseven
I have no idea, tbh.
1. Denver Nuggets - LaMelo Ball
There was no element of choice here, but I do think the upside is pretty sizeable. Worst case is he's Trae Young with defense and rebounding? Still not a good case. But I have a hard time believing the Big Baller would let his boy bust. Pause
2. Washington Bullets - Anthony Edwards
It's an interesting debate - would Ant-Man go 1 if this was a democracy? Has LaVar Ball's fascist reign impacted too many lives already? We'll find out. Edwards might be the centerpiece player the Bullets Ballers are desperately looking for right now.
3. Washington Bullets (from HOU) - Tyrese Maxey
Maxey has great notes and could be a pretty perfect FBB point guard on the offensive end. It's possible he unseats Trae Young in DC after a good TC. I kinda like Haliburton more? But it's a debate. The Bullets have so much concentrated blue chip talent and what direction they take is a huge plotline now. Is Weston's rebuild the case for tanking...or against it???
4. Miami Heat - James Wiseman
This is the first BIG BALLER (i have no idea how to do the pink text, sorry) move of the draft: Scoops takes a huge swing on a guy who sucks in real life, will presumably give him an extra 10 potential, and hope he turns out better than Darko did. We'll see how it works out for him and whether this turns out to be a home run or a reach. Not sure there's an in-between outcome considering the pretty solid looking players who came off the board right after him.
5. Dallas Mavericks - Desmond Bane
I think Bane is gonna be really good. I have gone as far as to dub him the new Anthony Parker. However, would I have personally taken him over Haliburton, probably not. He should slide in nicely in Dallas which has a need for him immediately as they rebuild. Hoff presumably is invested in THT as his future PG project, so I get it.
6. Detroit Pistons - Tyrese Haliburton
He was the steal of the draft IRL. Was he the steal of the draft BBL? We'll find out. But a really nice coup for RB after he successfully executed a midseason tank. I feel pretty good about him being a good starter long-term - he'll shoot and take care of the ball and maybe do more than that. Conspiracy theory that LaVar tanked his stock is in full force.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Immanuel Quickley
IQ looks like a pretty great game manager type of guard. He won't get PG TCs but he already has good handling and minimal passing. A good fit for Pankin as he tries to put a new supporting cast next to Giannis and KAT - Quick won't get in the way or hurt the offense, probably.
8. Toronto Raptors (from CHA) - Isaac Okoro
Okoro was the fifth player on my board so was pretty stoked to get him at No. 8. I love that he's already good in some key areas (handling, steals, strength/quickness) and think he has a pretty good floor as a rotation-level wing as long as he gets to an average level as a shooter. TC Jesus help me out and make him more than that please.
9. Brooklyn (?) Nets - Devin Vassell
Why the Nets relocated is a mystery. Vassell has Jeremy Lamb type of profile, he has a good scoring base and pretty good notes, I can see him turning into a starter with pretty regular development and camps. Woulda been sick in the NDL but it's fine.
10. Washington Bullets - Deni Avdija
Deni seems to have a pretty good array of skills other than shooting and handling, which are important, but overall has a cool FBB profile for a role player. If I were Wes I might have taken a more SLN-ready player here rather than another guy who needs great development rolls? But I think this is the right range for Deni overall.
11. Golden State Warriors - Precious Achiuwa
This was a good selection for fit by Clint - Precious can probably log some bench minutes right away with those B/B ratings. Maybe not the same level of upside as some others, but probably going to be solid. Curious how his turnovers translate from real life (or don't).
12. Dallas Mavericks (from CHI) Patrick Williams
I think a good play by Hoff to move up using CJ McCollum — Williams is high risk/high reward and needs good TCs, but also this is a good range to take a project player and Hoff is playing the long game, so I like the fit even if I don't love the actual player as much. Maybe him being butt IRL has just tanked his stock a bit.
13. Los Angeles Clippers - Onyeka Okongwu
This guy was kinda overrated IRL at the time but also is pretty reliable. I think a good piece for the Clippers to rebuild with - maybe he becomes a good defensive anchor behind Fultz. Will he shoot too much - maybe - but he's a really good FT shooter for a center IRL so I'm guessing there's a chance he's offensively competent in SLN. I like the pick, preferred him to Precious and Stewart by a hair personally.
14. Boston Celtics - Saddiq Bey
Saddiq is kinda similar to Taurean Prince to me for some reason, and he should be really nice in the NDL - a good snag for Joe to keep developing depth. He'll prob be a bucket in Maine.
15. Indiana Pacers (trade with Dallas) - Isaiah Stewart
Beef Stew feels Looney-ish. Which means he's gonna break your heart, Tong.
16. Boston Celtics - Jaden McDaniels
I would have preferred Pritchard or Toppin here probably depending on whether or not Joe is able to trigger the McDaniels stip. Is his brother Jalen or KJ McDaniels???? Find out next week on Maury...
17. Denver Nuggets - Payton Pritchard
I had PP as a late lottery guy, I think he'll absolutely murk the NDL and turn into a fringe starter type player with the gains and camps he deserves. Probably gonna be low turnover and shoot it pretty well. This is one of my favorite value picks of the draft.
18. Houston Rockets - Obi Toppin
Maybe Obi fell a little too far? He feels like the type of guy someone will move to small forward. Good scoring, not much else, but also a great spot to snag a guy with a draft profile. I like the value for Nolan even if he can't go to the NDL.
19. Dallas Mavericks (trade with IND) - Cole Anthony
Cole Anthony does not excite me IRL, so I don't know what I think of this, but he has solid ratings and might be a nice game manager type guy despite not having great surface potential.
20. Sacramento Kings - Poku
I said this on the pod but I feel like it would be too obvious for LaVar to make Poku the sleeper of this draft. I do think he has a very fun NDL profile - he'll probably get stocks and be decent and have a chance to develop as a teen with boosts. Jesse does have a good hit rate on these guys though so who knows.
21. Philadelphia 76ers (trade with HOU) - Jalen Smith
I cannot tell you how much I detested Stix as a prospect. That take aged well. Let's hope his FBB chances are better. He stinks
22. Memphis Grizzlies - Kira Lewis Jr.
Another guy who was low key kind of a bum IRL and got overdrafted, then tore his ACL. He seems to have fun FBB upside though! Good NDL stash.
23. Washington Bullets - KJ Martin
How much Kenyon Martin did LaVar code into Kenyon Jr.'s DNA??? Can't wait to see. Liked him as a stash.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LAL) - Xavier Tillman Sr.
Loved this pick. Loved Tillman IRL but he had a really bad back that tanked his stock lol. I think he'll be a really nice value pick for the Cavs and a rotation guy off the bench.
25. Detroit Pistons - Aaron Nesmith
I was at an epic game between Auburn and Vandy that year where Nesmith broke his foot while dueling with Isaac Okoro head to head. Much like IRL, Nesmith is boring but probably going to be fine.
26. New York Knicks - Tre Jones
What percent of Tyus Jones is Tre going to be? No idea. But a decent gamble late in the first.
27. Miami Heat - Killian Hayes
This guy fooled a lot of people. Mostly by being French. The NDL backcourt of Hayes and Hampton is pretty funny/fun. Miami all in on upside picking three teenagers in this class, I love it.
28. Milwaukee Bucks - Skylar Mays
In case anyone didn't know, Skylar Mays is actually a doctor which was why his nickname was "Doctor."
29. Houston Rockets (trade back with PHI) - Omer Yurtseven
I have no idea, tbh.