2020 NBA Mock Draft Version 6.0: Coronavirus halts NBA season
7
Obi Toppin Forward, University of Dayton
20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks, 63% fg, 39% 3pt, 32 mpg
Much to the dismay of Bulls fans, Chicago finds themselves picking seventh overall for the fourth straight season. During this time frame, the Bulls have had a clear need that they need to fill. However, in 2020, the Bulls supposedly have their young starting five intact, yet they still find themselves amongst the NBA’s bottom feeders.
Indeed, the team had an unreal amount of injury trouble, but this was supposed to be the year that Chicago was back contending in the East. Regardless of the reasoning for this disappointment of a year, the Bulls have a tough question come June as to what to do with the seventh pick. Trading for an established star could be the best approach, but knowing the Bulls’ front office, this is but a dream.
The two forward positions appear to be the biggest question marks for the Bulls, as Otto Porter is unbelievably expensive and injury-prone, while Lauri Markkanen greatly underperformed in his third professional season, in spite of sky-high expectations. Going with a player like Obi Toppin, who can help the Bulls win now, could be the way to go. Toppin is an extremely gifted offensive player who can score from all three levels.
His defense is awful, but the Bulls ranked as one of the NBA’s top defensive units in 2019-2020, so adding a liability to the lineup shouldn’t be too big of a deal. Furthermore, the Bulls have had massive struggles on the offensive end and should look to add a scorer this summer.
The front office may be unwilling to give up on Lauri Markkanen or any of the Bulls’ starting five, but adding Obi Toppin would give the Bulls a player with a very high ceiling who can also help the team win now.
Draft Stock Trend: +4
8
Onyeka Okongwu Center, University of Southern California
16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.7 blocks, 62% fg, 25% 3pt, 31 mpg
As a team that really has no franchise direction, picking for the Charlotte Hornets is extremely difficult to do. The Hornets do have a few decent young pieces, but none of them seem to be anywhere close to star potential.
With Michael Jordan seemingly opposed to any sort of rebuild in Charlotte, one would have to imagine that the Hornets will draft a positional need over talent. Luckily for them, Onyeka Okongwu would fill the void at center in Charlotte and also provide for a high-ceiling piece. Okongwu is a very unique prospect, as he has the smaller, more agile frame of a modern NBA big, but does not yet have the shooting touch that general managers are looking for.
His mechanics look very salvageable, as he has been able to improve on his mid-range game in his freshman season at USC.
A tenacious rebounder and shot blocker, Okongwu projects to be a dominant force on the low block. His post-up game looks NBA-ready, as although his height may not be impressive, he makes up for it in wingspan. A frontcourt of Okongwu and P.J. Washington would be very promising and complimentary, as Okongwu’s defensive presence would allow Washington to play to his strengths on the offensive end, while simultaneously giving Okongwu more room to operate in the paint.
Charlotte is extremely far away from being a playoff team out East, but a adding Okongwu would improve their frontcourt immensely for years to come.