2020 NBA Mock Draft Version 6.0: Coronavirus halts NBA season
11
R.J. Hampton Guard, United States
8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.3 blocks, 41% fg, 30% 3pt, 21 mpg
The San Antonio Spurs are not only a basketball team, but a winning culture filled with men who value winning and team play over everything. R.J. Hampton has been a player that I have had connected to the Spurs for some time, as the team is in need of an elite guard to play alongside DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge.
However, Hampton is more than just a positional and talent fit for San Antonio, but he also fits perfectly in the Spurs’ culture. Hampton has been praised for his work ethic and professionalism for some time now, well before his NBL days in New Zealand. Hampton is certainly a player that Gregg Popovich would love to have on the roster.
Hampton provides for great flexibility for San Antonio, as he is able to play both guard positions. Although he is probably better suited to be a one, he could very well begin his career playing the two alongside Dejounte Murray.
Murray was once considered a high-level young prospect, but after an ACL tear his development has gone a bit stagnant. Although they just signed him to a lucrative deal, a rebuild could see him on his way out of Texas and onto another roster. With a lot of uncertainty in San Antonio, taking a player who fits that Spurs bill makes the most sense.
Draft Stock Trend: +2
12
Precious Achiuwa Forward, University of Memphis
15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 blocks, 49% fg, 33% 3pt, 30 mpg
This season did not go as planned at all for Sacramento, who just missed the playoffs in 2019 with a very young and promising roster. Instead of making a stride this past season, Sacramento instead took a step back, causing many to wonder what exactly went wrong.
The Kings have a lot of very solid pieces in place, but none of Marvin Bagley, Buddy Hield, or De’Aaron Fox has stepped up as the clear-cut star player, which is likely the root of their problems. In a star-driven league, teams cannot win championships without a big name. These three young Kings are certainly still capable of reaching stardom, but perhaps Sacramento would like to add a high ceiling player through the draft.
Precious Achiuwa is a player who has an immense ceiling. His monstrous frame and athleticism could allow him to play the three, four, and five as a professional. He is an elite rebounder and defender who strives as an inside scorer and transition threat.
His three point shot, and jumper in general, is a work in progress to say the least, but his mechanics look like he could possibly find a jumper eventually. Even if he never figures it out, Achiuwa is a great fit for Sacramento in that he would be a great defensive presence to complement Marvin Bagley and also would work well in transition with De’Aaron Fox.