2020 NBA Mock Draft Version 6.0: Coronavirus halts NBA season
15
Tyrese Maxey Guard, University of Kentucky
14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.4 blocks, 43% fg, 29% 3pt,35 mpg
Tyrese Maxey was a very disappointing player for the Wildcats in 2019-2020, as he was never able to find any sort of efficiency. Using the eye test, it is very evident that Maxey is an extremely talented player whose skill set would certainly translate to the NBA, but his efficiency and shot selection issues are a big problem.
There are absolutely no questions about the legitimacy of his jumper, but rather scouts question his decision making at the next level. Although his position of choice is the two, Maxey is more than likely too undersized to play off of the ball at a generous 6-foot-3. However, he is too much of a one-dimensional scorer to play the one. However, it is not impossible to think that he could develop some skill as a passer.
Defensively, Maxey is at a major disadvantage due to his height at shooting guard, but he is an extremely scrappy guy who has held his own in college on that end. However, it is unclear if he will be able to maintain his solid defense against bigger, stronger, and faster players at the professional level.
Orlando would not expect Maxey to be a lockdown defender by any means, as the Magic are already one of the NBA’s top defensive units. The Magic would rather rely on him to space the floor and score at a volume rate, which is an ideal situation for Maxey.
Draft Stock Trend: +/- 0
16
Patrick Williams Forward, Florida State University
9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks, 46% fg, 32% 3pt, 23 mpg
Pick Via Brooklyn Nets (Lottery Protected)
It is completely my fault that Patrick Williams has been left off every mock of mine for the 2020 Draft. Williams has been on draft radars since the middle of college basketball season, as he is a stout defender with a great physical pedigree. When doing my research on Williams, I wrote him off a bit because of his lack of standout production, but upon doing more diligent research, the absence of other-worldly statistics are a result of a lack of minutes.
As to why Williams does not play, I am baffled. He is a one year removed from being a five-star high school recruit and is a very physically gifted individual, so if anyone has the answer to that question please let me know in the comment section.
Williams projects to be a defensive presence immediately as a pro, with the very realistic possibility that he develops a nice offensive game. The outside shot is not quite there yet, but he shoots very well from the charity stripe, giving scouts the impression that attaining a deep ball is extremely possible.
Williams is a rare defender who could possibly guard the one through five in the NBA, which is something that contending teams can get behind, while rebuilding squads can hope that he can develop an offensive game and rise to two-way stardom. Minnesota already took a small forward in Isaac Okoro with the third overall pick, but the defensive skill set that Williams boasts is more important to Minnesota than his position. Additionally, at 6-foot-8, Williams could easily slide over to the five, thanks to his great frame.
Draft Stock Trend: n/a
17
Theo Maledon Guard, ASVEL Basket
7.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.1 blocks, 46% fg, 37% 3pt, 18 mpg
Pick Via Memphis Grizzlies (Top-7 Protected)
Boston has three first round picks in this draft, and it is incredibly unlikely that they keep all three. However, to reiterate, this mock will assume that all picks will be retained by the teams that currently hold them.
Boston really doesn’t need much, as they are a very young and talented roster with three star-level players. Keeping this in mind, Danny Ainge will likely go after a high-ceiling player if he keeps this pick. Throughout his childhood, Theo Maledon was considered a golden child of European basketball, among the likes of Luka Doncic.
Although Maledon has not exactly lived up to this hype yet, he is putting up very solid and efficient numbers in the second most competitive basketball league in the world. He is a strictly-offensive player, who despite above-average athleticism struggles on the defensive end. Perhaps Brad Stevens will get the best out of him on that end, but regardless of his work on that end, he does everything well offensively.
Kemba Walker is obviously going to be the guy at the point going forward for Boston, but Theo Maledon could be a longer-term solution on a similar timeline as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. For now, however, Boston could use a legitimate offensive point guard off of the bench, and Maledon has shown in the EuroLeague that he can contribute immediately on that end.