2020 NBA Mock Draft Version 6.0: Coronavirus halts NBA season
18
Devin Vassell Guard, Florida State University
12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 blocks, 49% fg, 42% 3pt, 29 mpg
In recent NBA drafts, players who can shoot the ball well and play solid defense have been drafted much higher than expected, and Devin Vassell will likely be one of those guys. Vassell had a solid season at FSU, as one of the bigger contributors on the top team in the ACC. He shot extremely efficiently from the field and deep with the Seminoles, and his ability to catch and shoot off of the ball will be highly-valued at the NBA level.
The Dallas Mavericks have their star duo in Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic, and now Mark Cuban’s task is to surround Luka with players who will get the most out of him. In order to do this, Dallas will need to acquire a spot-up shooter to serve as an outlet for the Slovenian star and a pick-and-roll center who can eat up the glass.
The free agent market will have quite a few options at the five for Dallas to choose from, so finding an outlet for Doncic is the likely approach in the draft. Vassell does not have a particularly high ceiling, but he should be able to space the floor from day one and will be able to play and defend both wing positions, barring him gaining some muscle mass.
Draft Stock Trend: +12
19
Paul Reed Forward, DePaul University
15.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.9 steals, 2.6 blocks, 52% fg, 31% 3pt, 32 mpg
Pick Via Philadelphia 76ers (Lottery Protected)
Brooklyn has had a rough season, as they have had extremely poor injury luck. However, Brooklyn will have their full roster returning in 2020-2021, and should be healthy. With this being said, the Nets will not be looking to add any high-ceiling players in the draft, but rather will opt for a solid role player who can help them win now.
Paul Reed brings a bit of everything to the table. Defense and rebounding are his bread and butter, but Reed has shown the ability to score on the low block and is willing to step out and pull a three once in a while.
Reed is not a modern NBA big by any means, but the rebounding and defense that he brings to the table will be extremely valuable down the stretch for the Nets. Brooklyn is currently riding with Wilson Chandler at the four, but he is certainly not a starter on a championship team and at his age he is unlikely to eat up major minutes.
Nicolas Claxton was a good value for Brooklyn in last year’s draft, but he is probably not ready to be thrown into the rotation quite yet. A three-year player on a solid team, Reed is a player who is ready to step in now and play a solid role, although his ceiling is not very high.
Draft Stock Trend: +3
20
Saddiq Bey Forward, Villanova University
16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks, 48% fg, 45% 3pt, 34 mpg
Pick Via Indiana Pacers (Lottery Protected)
Another shooter who will go much higher than people expect, Saddiq Bey will be a great off-ball option for teams looking to space the floor. Milwaukee does not have many holes in their roster, but one thing contending teams are always looking for is floor spacing.
Although Bey is not strictly an off-ball player, adding a catch-and-shoot threat is a sweet addition for Milwaukee. The Bucks are thin at the small forward spot, as their backup is currently Pat Connaughton, who although is a solid, high-energy player is undersized at the three.
Saddiq Bey does not have a very high ceiling, but at the very least he will serve as a viable shooter throughout his career. He is not an incredibly gifted defender, but his athletic frame at 6-foot-8 frame suggests that he could become an above-average defender in no time.
As an older sophomore, he is set to turn 21 in April, so he fits the win-now mold that Milwaukee is looking for. Additionally, playing for Villanova, Bey is used to playing winning team-basketball that the Bucks pride themselves on.