2020 NBA Mock Draft: 4.0 halfway through the NBA season
27
Amar Sylla Forward, Belgium
6.9 Points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.2 blocks, 39% fg, 17% 3pt, 25 mpg
As the Thunder get their name called for the second time in the first round, OKC will opt for another high-upside player in Amar Sylla. Sylla is a freakish athlete who can defend at a high level. Many gave compared the 6-foot-9 forward to up-and-coming star Pascal Siakam, and for good reason.
Both Siakam and Sylla have a large athletic frame, run the floor well, and show offensive promise. Sylla shows flashes of the ability to hit threes, but for now he is a work in progress.
Although still a work in progress, OKC can afford to wait on him to develop and hopefully become a Siakam type guy. Going back to the philosophy of the Precious Achiuwa pick, a rebuilding team such as OKC should keep swinging for the fences until they land a superstar-level player.
They have plenty of draft capital to whiff on a few picks, so drafting a bust with pick 27 should be of no concern to Sam Presti.
Draft Stock Trend: n/a
28
Tre Jones Guard, Duke
14.9 Points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.4 blocks, 45% fg, 37% 3pt
With three first round selections, one would have to think that Boston will move on from at the very least one of these picks. In the case that the C’s do retain their own first rounder, Tre Jones would be a great addition to the bench unit.
As a prolific passer and defender, Jones would thrive in a role that does not require him to be a scorer. A backcourt of Marcus Smart and Tre Jones would be a nightmare for opposing bench offenses.
Jones’ biggest weakness to address in his second season at Duke was his jumper, which he has struggled with since his time in Apple Valley. However, his numbers indicate that he has made a major improvement in this area, which could cause him to go further up draft boards.
Draft Stock Trend: -7
29
Ayo Dosumnu Guard, Illinois
15.5 Points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks, 47% fg, 30% 3pt, 32 mpg
If Ayo Dosunmu could shoot the ball from three at an above-average rate, he would likely be picked in the teens. His athleticism and speed are supreme, along with his ability to get to the bucket and play downhill in transition. The three point shot is simply still not where it needs to be, which will ultimately drop him to a late-first or early-second round selection.
Dosumnu is a solid choice for the Lakers in that the team is in desperate need of a point guard and Dosumnu is the best one on the board. Considering the amount of draft capital the Lakers sent to New Orleans in the Anthony Davis trade, Los Angeles must address the point guard position now in order to sustain itself for the future. Dosunmu is a former five-star recruit and has a decent amount of upside, most of which is contingent on his jumper.
Draft Stock Trend: -2
30
Scottie Lewis Guard, Florida
9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.5 blocks, 40% fg, 28% 3pt, 29 mpg
Pick Via Milwaukee Bucks
With the final pick in the first round, former five-star Scottie Lewis is selected by Danny Ainge. Lewis has improved his offensive game greatly since the beginning of the 2019-2020 campaign, although it is still not at an NBA level. Where Lewis’ value does lie is in his defense, as he is one of the nation’s top defenders currently. At 6ft 5, Lewis possesses average size and length but still manages to terrorize offensive players with his all-around defensive game. On that end, he has nearly no holes in his game at all, while the offense remains shaky.
Lewis is a mix between an upside pick and taking a defensive specialist who can play a solid role for a contending team like Boston. If Lewis ever does develop any kind of offensive game, he has the potential to be a very good NBA player. Perhaps playing behind the likes of Jaylen Brown will allow him to develop into the player he was once thought to be.