The 2020 NBA Draft is looming around the corner and the lottery teams are already ramping up their efforts to assess the best players available.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and the Charlotte Hornets own the top three picks of the draft respectively, which link them to three highly-touted prospects expected to be taken early off the boards come November 18.
“Unless a surprise trade completely disrupts the top of the draft, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and James Wiseman are likely to make up the top three in some order, according to conversations with multiple team executives, scouts, and agents. Most NBA front offices are operating under the assumption that Ball is going No. 1 — either to the Minnesota Timberwolves or a team that trades up to select him.”
Some teams are also being projected to move out of their current NBA Draft position to secure the services of their targeted players.
“Some popular picks among executives to make such a move for Ball at No. 1 include the Chicago Bulls (currently holding the No. 4 pick), Detroit Pistons (No. 7) and Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 25, plus a stash of future firsts).”
As ESPN‘s Zach Lowe reported last week, the Timberwolves and the Warriors have both explored trading their picks for star-level players, but a real deal has yet to materialize for both teams thus far.
According to ESPN's sources, the Hornets have not seriously considered picking any prospects outside the trio of Ball, Wiseman, and Edwards in the NBA Draft.
After those three, the second tier includes Deni Avdija, Obi Toppin, Isaac Okoro, Tyrese Haliburton, Onyeka Okongwu, and Patrick Williams. Those players appear likely to make up picks Nos. 4 to 9 in some order.
Virtually anything can still happen between now and the draft day and any drastic changes can easily alter the projected draft order of the prospects.
November 18 will determine the players who will get to effectuate change for the rebuilding franchises and help turn around their fate for the years to come.
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