2020 NBA Mock Draft Version 5.0: Post trade deadline
43
Reggie Perry Forward, Mississippi State
17.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 blocks, 51% fg, 33% 3pt, 30 mpg
Some analysts have called for Reggie Perry to be a first round selection, but I am not quite as on board with this notion as some. Perry has had a very good sophomore season at Mississippi State, doing a bit of everything on the offensive end. He has begun to venture out to the three point line, yet he struggles to hit these deep shots. His offensive game is very old-school, which has dropped his draft stock a good bit.
Defensively, Perry is nothing special, yet he is not necessarily a liability. If he wants to find success in the NBA, he will need to improve his skills as a forward and play less like an old-school center. Orlando, time and time again, seems to welcome traditional-style basketball players to the organization, and with a need for a backup power forward, Perry is a logical pick.
Draft Stock Trend: n/a
44
Charles Bassey Center, Western Kentucky
15.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.6 blocks, 53% fg, 17% 3pt, 28 mpg
Charles Bassey is one of my personal favorite players in this year’s and last year’s draft classes, but for some reason he finds himself on the outside looking in again in 2020. Bassey was one of the top players in the high school class of 2019 before reclassifying to 2018 and committing to Western Kentucky.
He is an extremely gifted athlete, but being tucked away at a smaller school and reclassifying have caused many to forget about him.
Bassey’s game is very much an outdated one, as he focuses on using his strength and skills in the post to contribute offensively. Another con that Bassey has on his draft profile is that he did not take a big step forward between his freshman and sophomore years.
There is a real chance that Bassey does not declare for the draft, but if he does, San Antonio is a team that would take a chance on the hyper-athletic and talented Bassey.
Draft Stock Trend: -1
45
Markus Howard Guard, Marquette
27.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.0 blocks, 41% fg, 39% 3pt, 33 mpg
The Blazers were unable to add a much-needed power forward with their first round pick, as there were none worthy of being selected at Portland’s slot. Instead, the team drafted a guard to work with the reserves. Although it may not seem too logical, Portland will opt to draft another guard here, but this time an established college star in Markus Howard.
Howard is one of the top scorers in all of college basketball, thanks to his crafty knack for finding his own shot and his deep ball. At under 6-foot, it is unclear how well Howard’s game will translate to the NBA, but he is without a doubt an NBA-ready scoring option off of the bench.
His age has been marked as a concern, but although a senior the Arizona native is only 20 years old.The Blazers could use him as a deep rotation catalyst to spark scoring in the reserve unit.
Draft Stock Trend: -3
46
Killian Tillie Forward, Gonzaga
13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.9 blocks, 51% fg, 40% 3pt, 24 mpg
Pick Via Brooklyn Nets
Another player who was thought of as a pre-season first round pick, Killian Tillie has had a very quiet final season at Gonzaga. As a floor spacing specialist, Tillie has done well knocking down deep balls this year, which is consistent with his overall efficient offensive game.
On the defensive end, Tillie projects to be a quite average NBA player. He would likely be a first rounder if he had more playing time and touches, but that is a moot point.
Boston could utilize Tillie in both shooting scenarios and as depth at the power forward spot. With stars taking up a sizable amount of cap space for the C’s, and nailing late draft picks like these can prove pivotal, with 2-4 years of cost-efficient team control on rookie deals.
Like the other Boston picks, this one is a realistic one to be moved, but the acquisition of Tillie would make sense.
Draft Stock Trend: n/a
47
Cassius Winston Guard, Michigan State
18.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.0 blocks, 42% fg, 38% 3pt, 32 mpg
Pick Via Memphis Grizzlies
Normally, I am adamant about taking the highest-ceiling player possible in the second round of the draft, but here I go against this. The Chicago Bulls have been horrific offensively this season and strong on defense, which is shocking to most fans of the team.
Although the Bulls really don’t need another guard, especially after drafting Tyrese Haliburton, but something must be done about the team’s offensive woes.
Next. 3 Bulls trades with the Sixers for Joel Embiid. dark
Cassius Winston has a very complete offensive game that Chicago will bank on relaying to the NBA. At just over 6-foot, Winston may not have NBA height, but has been able to establish himself as one of college basketball’s top players. If Winston is still on the board at 47, taking him would have to be a no-brainer, as there is not much talent left on the board as the draft approaches the 50’s.