2020 NBA Mock Draft Version 6.0: Coronavirus halts NBA season
2
Anthony Edwards Guard, University of Georgia
19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks, 40% fg, 29% 3pt, 33mpg
Arguably the best player in the class, the Cleveland Cavaliers are able to snag an elite athlete in Anthony Edwards at second overall. Having selected guards in the past two drafts within the top-ten, Edwards fit does not make a lot of sense at all.
However, as a rebuilding franchise with no obvious cornerstone yet, passing on the Atlanta native is simply not an option. There is a possibility that Cleveland would place Edwards on the wing and start three guards, but more realistically, they could move Collin Sexton to the bench and allow him to serve as a pure scorer.
A backcourt pairing of Darius Garland and Anthony Edwards could be an extremely exciting and successful pairing, as both have extremely high ceilings and complement each other’s skill sets. As a ball-dominant two, Garland could still thrive playing off of the ball at times, while Edwards could also help to mask Garland’s defensive vulnerability.
Questions about Edwards’ efficiency and shot selection are legitimate concerns, but it is not unusual for an elite young player on a subpar college team to shoot poorly, as they often feel that the entire scoring burden is on them. Playing with guys like Kevin Love, Darius Garland, and Collin Sexton should incentivize him to take wiser shots, but he certainly figures to be the focal point of that offense and a future star in Cleveland.