NBA draft 2020: Detroit Pistons stick with Killian Hayes in our final mock draft

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After a longer wait than anyone could’ve guessed, the 2020 NBA draft is finally here.

It’s expected to be an unpredictable draft, with little certainty on which players will be drafted within the top four, and several teams with high draft picks looking to trade down. The Detroit Pistons could also be active, as general manager Troy Weaver recently acknowledged the possibility of them moving up or down.

The Pistons worked out several point guards ahead of the draft, indicating that they could look to address their biggest positional need. But Florida State forward Patrick Williams has been connected to Detroit the most during the past few weeks. Either way, it would be a logical pick for a Pistons team that needs talent more than it needs to address any particular position.

The Free Press’ Pistons beat writer, Omari Sankofa II, mocked the entire first round.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves — Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia

Edwards is arguably the best overall prospect in the draft — an athletic, strong guard who could thrive with the ball in his hands. The Timberwolves could trade out of this pick, but Edwards is the logical choice if they keep it.

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2. Golden State Warriors — James Wiseman, C, Memphis

Wiseman is a mobile, athletic rim-running center with elite defensive upside, a combination of skills the Warriors have not had in a player during their championship era. It appears likely that Golden State will trade this pick. But if not, Wiseman is a no-brainer here.

3. Charlotte Hornets — LaMelo Ball, G, Illawarra Hawks

This isn’t a seamless fit for Charlotte, as they already have two starting point guards in Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham. But Ball is not only 6 inches taller than Rozier and Graham, who are both 6-foot-1, he’s also a much better passer and rebounder as well. Ball has the best vision in the draft and would immediately become their franchise player.

4. Chicago Bulls — Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Bulls could use more playmaking. Avdija is one of the best playmakers of this class, despite being a 6-9 forward. If his jump shot develops, he has a chance to be a special player.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers — Obi Toppin, F/C, Dayton

The reigning national player of the year is also the most polished player, on offense, in the draft. He’s a strong candidate for NBA Rookie of the Year and should be able to help the Cavs from day one.

6. Atlanta Hawks — Patrick Williams, F, Florida State

Williams, the draft’s biggest riser during the last two weeks, is reportedly a favorite for the Pistons at No. 7. The Hawks are open to trading this pick, and they could flip it to a team looking to jump the Pistons for Williams in exchange for a player who could help Atlanta chase the playoffs next season.

7. Detroit Pistons — Killian Hayes, G, ratiopharm Ulm

The rumor mill exploded for the Pistons this past week, with links to Williams at No. 7. Williams fits the Weaver mold as an athletic forward with a good wingspan, elite upside as a switchable defender and promise as a scorer. He’d be a great pick for a Pistons team in need of talent, regardless of position.

If Williams is off the board, Hayes, a 6-5 point guard, is a likely pick for the Pistons. He has great footwork for a 19-year-old, is big for the position (with a 6-8 wingspan), reads the floor very well and competes on defense. He’s been working to improve two of his biggest weaknesses — his right hand and his shooting. Former Piston Will Bynum, who’s been training Hayes since last summer, told me his worth ethic is Kobe Bryant-esque.

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8. New York Knicks — Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State

Depending on who you ask, Haliburton, or Hayes, is the second-best point guard prospect in this draft. The Knicks would certainly be thrilled to take Haliburton here. He was one of the best shooters and playmakers in college basketball last season and is also an impressive interview.

[ Draft prospect Tyrese Haliburton, ‘a Midwest guy’ sees a fit in Detroit ]

9. Washington Wizards — Onyeka Okongwu, F/C, USC

Okongwu has the talent to be the best big man in the draft. He’s not as athletic as Wiseman and is slightly undersized, but was a great defender, post player and above-average passer as a freshman last season. The 6-9 big man will certainly draw comparisons to Bam Adebayo.

10. Phoenix Suns — Devin Vassell, G/F, Florida State

There’s a lot to like about Vassel’s game. He’s the best 3-and-D player available here and is a great fit for a Suns team that traded Kelly Oubre.

11. San Antonio Spurs — Isaac Okoro, F, Auburn

This could be a home run pick for a Spurs team facing a crossroads. They missed the playoffs last season for the first time in 22 seasons, and their franchise players, DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, are both older than 30 and entering the final year of their contracts. Okoro, an athletic wing who can get to the rim, gives them a solid foundational block for a rebuild.

12. Sacramento Kings — Aaron Nesmith, G, Vanderbilt

It appears that the Kings and Buddy Hield could be heading toward a divorce. Nesmith is a ready-made Hield replacement who shot 52.25% from 3-point range last year.

[ FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Talking through a Blake Griffin-Buddy Hield trade with Kings ]

13. New Orleans Pelicans — Saddiq Bey, G/F, Villanova

Getting one of the best shooters in the draft toward the end of the lottery is a win for the Pelicans. Bey shot 45% from 3 last season and can also defend.

14. Boston Celtics (from Grizzlies) — Precious Achiuwa, F/C, Memphis

The Celtics could benefit by bolstering their frontcourt depth, and Achiuwa fits the mold of the type of athletic, long wings they tend to target in the draft. Achiuwa’s offensive game is raw, but he has the length and mobility to thrive as a small-ball center.

15. Orlando Magic — R.J. Hampton, G, New Zealand Breakers

There are some question marks about whether Hampton can be a full-time point guard in the NBA. He’s been training with Penny Hardaway and Mike Miller leading up to the draft, and his athleticism gives him a considerably high ceiling.

16. Houston Rockets (from Trail Blazers) — Kira Lewis Jr., G, Alabama

The Rockets acquired this pick in the wee hours of the morning Tuesday after trading Robert Covington to Portland. Lewis Jr., a speedy point guard, has risen up mock drafts in recent weeks and gives Houston a piece to build around.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Nets) — Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington

A consensus five-star recruit in 2019, McDaniels didn’t live up to expectations as a freshman. But he’s a good ball-handler and shooter for his size and a sensible pick for a Timberwolves team in need of potential star talent.

18. Dallas Mavericks — Aleksej Pokusevski, F/C, Olympiacos B

The Mavericks, historically, have had success with European players. Pokusevski is a 7-footer with guard skills, but needs to add strength and weight to last in the NBA. He has one of the highest upsides of any player in the draft, but also has one of the lowest floors.

19. Brooklyn Nets (from 76ers) — Josh Green, G/F, Arizona

With Kevin Durant returning from injury and James Harden reportedly angling toward joining forces with him, the Nets are clearly in win-now mode. They could use a shooter, and Green is one of the better 3-and-D wings in the draft.

Smith, who shot 36.8% from 3 and blocked 2.4 shots per game as a sophomore, said he tries to model his game after Kevin Garnett and Jaren Jackson Jr. He fits for a Heat team that could lack depth at the center position following free agency.

21. Philadelphia 76ers (from Thunder) — Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky

The playoffs revealed that the Sixers have a lot of holes to fill if they want to truly contend in the Eastern Conference. Maxey can fill multiple roles as a ball-handler, scorer and defender. He wasn’t a strong shooter in college, but he has the tools to become one.

Tillman is far from a first-round lock, but he has very few weaknesses in his game and excels as a rebounder, finisher, screener and passer. He’s undersized for a big at 6-8, but his versatility on both sides of the ball should fit a Nuggets team that could lose Paul Millsap in free agency.

[ NBA mock draft: Where will Michigan State’s Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman go? ]

23. Utah Jazz — Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford

Mike Conley is entering the final season of his contract, and Jordan Clarkson is a free agent. Terry is one of the best shooters in the draft and can play alongside Donovan Mitchell.

24. New Orleans Pelicans (from Bucks) — Leandro Bolmaro, G/F, Barcelona

The 6-8 Argentinian is a big point guard who reads the floor extremely well and has soft touch. The Pelicans have a log jam at point guard after trading for Eric Bledsoe and George Hill, neither of whom appear to fit New Orleans’ timeline. Bolmaro, a draft-and-stash candidate, could make sense here.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Nuggets) — Theo Maledon, G, ASVEL

Oklahoma City appears to be heading deeper into a rebuild after trading Chris Paul to Phoenix. Maledon has starting point guard potential, being a good playmaker and shooter who’d fit well next to Shai-Gilgeous Alexander.

26. Boston Celtics — Cole Anthony, G, North Carolina

Anthony was inefficient for the Tar Heels last season, but he has the talent to be a spark-plug scorer in the NBA. Kemba Walker is getting older and Brad Wanamaker is a restricted free agent, so Boston could use a point guard here.

27. New York Knicks (from Clippers) — Desmond Bane, G, TCU

Bane is one of the older players projected to go in the first round, but he has few holes in his game. He’s a good shooter and defender and can either back-up Haliburton or play next to him.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Lakers) — Malachi Flynn, G, SDSU

After moving on from Dennis Schroder and Chris Paul in the last few days, it makes sense for the Thunder to double-dip on point guards late in the first round. Flynn is the best available here, following a standout junior season.

29. Toronto Raptors — Zeke Nnaji, C, Arizona

His defense is a major question mark, but there’s a lot to like about Nnaji’s offensive game. He finished at the rim at a high level as a freshman last season and has great touch, indicating he could become an outside threat in the NBA.

30. Boston Celtics (from Bucks) — Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington

Stewart is the best player remaining. He has a throwback post game, plays with energy and rebounds well. If Enes Kanter declines his player option, Stewart can replace him immediately.

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.

This article was originally published by Freep.com. Read the original article here.