18
Onyeka Okongwu Center, Southern California
18.4 Points, 9.0 Rebounds, 0.8 Assists, 1.4 Steals, 3.2 Blocks, 62% FG
Pick Via Brooklyn Nets
Onkyeka Okongwu is becoming one of the fastest risers on draft boards across the NBA community. As an elite shot-blocker who can play above the rim and rebound at a high level, many consider Okongwu to be the top center in the 2020 class.
The Southern California product is certainly NBA-ready on the defensive end, and although his offensive game is by no means poor, but rather very outdated in a pace-and-space era. The jumper will likely never be there, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be.
In a system such as Atlanta’s that has a lot of shooters and an elite distributor in Trae Young, Okongwu could excel as a defensive anchor and an above the rim talent running pick and rolls with Young. An athletic frontcourt of Okongwu and John Collins could make for even more excitement in Atlanta, adding even more talent to this young core.
Draft Stock Trend: n/a
19
Jordan Nwora Forward, Louisville
21.3 Points, 7.5 Rebounds, 1.5 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 49% FG, 44% FG, 31 MPG
Pick Via Utah Jazz
The Memphis Grizzlies are in year two of their rebuilding process and so far have come away with a handful of very good young pieces. Losing their own first round pick in the top-ten to Boston is devastating, but they will have the chance to pick again thanks to the Mike Conley deal. Here, the Grizzlies will address the small forward position with Jordan Nwora, the 6-foot-8 junior out of Louisville.
Nwora is a very solid offensive player with few holes in his game on that end. A very capable shooter, Memphis will be drawn to Nwora because of his ability to play off of the ball and allow Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson to get more touches. In addition, his offensive abilities and defensive woes make him a nice compliment to the defensive-minded Brandon Clarke.
Draft Stock Trend: +16
20
Josh Green Guard, Arizona
13.1 Points, 5.0 Rebounds, 2.4 Assists, 1.8 Steals, 43% FG, 32% 3PT, 30 MPG
Josh Green has resurrected his draft stock a bit after a rocky start to his freshman season, as the highly-recruited guard has gotten his field goal percentage up to a decent mark. His three point shooting needs to improve, but the improvements seen to this point in the season in his jumper are promising.
Green was recruited for his defensive abilities rather than his ability to score, as he is regarded as a high-ceiling player if he is ever able to find an offensive game.
Houston is a great team to gamble on Green, as they are infamous for being one of the worst offensive groups in all of basketball. With Mike D’Antoni reportedly on the hot seat, perhaps taking a player who does not fit in the three point-heavy system that Houston currently runs would make sense.
Even if D’Antoni remains with the Rockets, Green is an upside play who can also contribute defensively the minute he hits the NBA floor.