Tracking Every 2020 NBA Draft and Trade Rumor

Dec 20, 2019; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul (3) against Phoenix Suns guard Ricky Rubio (11) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Many mock drafts—including our own—have Anthony Edwards going No. 1 in the draft. Others have James Wiseman being first off the board. But there’s reportedly a growing belief that LaMelo Ball, son of LaVar and youngest of the Ball brothers, will be the top pick.

“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,” reports ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, who covers the draft with as much depth as anyone.

Givony reports that teams were dissatisfied with Edwards’ televised pro day Oct. 29. However, it’s not a sure thing the T-Wolves will hold onto that pick. Front office execs reportedly think the Bulls (currently at No. 4), Pistons (No. 7), or Thunder (No. 25) could make a move to trade up and pick Ball.

Ball is a big point guard (6’8”) who’s a maestro with the ball in his hands. Though his shot could be improved, he’s a generational passer with tremendous feel for the game. He’s been compared to Penny Hardaway.

The guy who was traded for Westbrook, CP3, is also involved in trade rumors. Like Russ, the veteran All-Star also showed he’s still got plenty in the tank during an impressive 2019-20 season. The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon played 31.5 MPG and averaged 17.5 PPG, 6.7 APG, and 5.0 RPG while shooting 36.5 percent from outside. He’s 35, but still schooling these young bloods.

The Thunder are expected to enter a rebuild this offseason, though they outperformed expectations last season, and that begins with getting the aging Paul off the books. Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps, the Phoenix Suns are interested in CP3. They reported that discussions between the Suns and Thunder “have been ongoing and have continued to gather traction, but there is no deal imminent.”

The Suns finished 8-0 in the bubble and, behind young up-and-comers Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, think they’re on the verge of contending. They also have plenty of salary-cap space, which is necessary because Paul has a whopping $86 million over two years left on his deal.

Further, Phoenix coach Monty Williams coached Paul in New Orleans, and the two reportedly think highly of each other. The Suns have plenty of young assets and roster flexibility to make a deal work.

This one makes a lot of sense for both sides. We’d be surprised if Paul doesn’t end up in Arizona.

Onyeka Okongwu, former teammate of Ball at Chino Hills in California, was superb at USC during his lone campaign in the Pac-12. The 19-year-old is a versatile big who absolutely locks down at the rim and has drawn comparisons to Bam Adebayo.

Sounds pretty good, right? He will be.

Per Windhorst, more and more teams are falling in love with Okongwu.

“A player who I’ve heard a lot moving up a lot of executives’ big boards is Onyeka Okongwu from USC, who I’ve heard moving into the top three-to-five,” Windhorst said Monday on The Jump.

Okongwu has long been considered a lottery pick, but getting up that high would be a massive shift. If he gets into the top three, it would be a huge shake-up. Ball, Edwards, and Wiseman have long been considered the consensus trio going first.

It was a tough season for Boston. After earning the No. 3 seed in the East, they outlasted Toronto in an epic semifinal series, then fell to a red-hot Miami team in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Despite Boston possessing one of the most talented rosters and best coaches in the game, the Celtics just can’t seem to get over the hump. Could this year’s draft make the difference?

The last time they had a top pick, they used it on Jayson Tatum. And it seems Danny Ainge is intent on getting back up near the top of the board. Boston has three first-round picks (Nos. 14, 26, and 30), but the Celtics have reportedly been trying to curate a package that allows them to get up into the lottery.

It seems they’re specifically eyeing Atlanta’s No. 6 pick, per O’Connor. Atlanta wants veterans in return, per Keith Smith.

If Boston gets the No. 6 pick, the Celtics could go after FSU’s Patrick Williams, who has drawn comparisons to Kawhi Leonard. Imagine another super versatile wing in that system—sheesh!

As mentioned in the intro, the Lakers are favored to win the 2021 NBA title after the 72-game regular season. They’re currently at +325.

But they know they’ll face plenty of competition, and they’re hungry to improve. One way they could do so: adding veteran big Serge Ibaka, who was a difference-maker for the Raptors in the past two postseasons.

Ibaka is one of the most well-known free agents on the market and might be willing to take a pay cut to play for a shot at a second ring. LA could have the full mid-level exception available to offer to him. Per Sean Deveney of Heavy.com, Ibaka is looking at a number of contenders.

“One target is Raptors big man Serge Ibaka, according to executives around the league...the Raptors are still the favorite to keep Ibaka,” Deveney reports. “But if he leaves, he would only do so to have a chance at a championship—teams like the Celtics, the Clippers, the Heat, the Mavericks and the Trail Blazers are among those interested in Ibaka. The Lakers, though, would offer him the best chance at another ring.”

Ibaka could be a rich man’s Markieff Morris next to Anthony Davis, giving AD and LeBron some help with floor-spacing and on the boards. Free agency will start just two days after the draft, so keep your eyes on Ibaka. He’s one of those ‘not a star, but still very important’ veterans who could well shape the title race.

Wiseman was the No. 1 prospect in his class and showed why during a brief stint at Memphis. The 7’1” center from Nashville looks like a rich man’s Hassan Whiteside or DeAndre Jordan. He’s a dominant athlete with top-level defensive abilities and has vast potential as a scorer, too.

According to Windhorst, the Warriors—who will get Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson back from injuries -- are set on Wiseman. They’ve acknowledged they need more size.

“Wiseman, from what I understand, is Golden State's guy,” Windy said Monday. He’d certainly be an improvement at the 5 from Marquese Chriss and Kevon Looney.

However, Charlotte also reportedly wants Wiseman. 

“The big thing for Golden State is what Charlotte does,” Windy added. “Charlotte is very interested in James Wiseman, and could move up to No. 1 to take him.”

The Hornets need big-man help, with Cody Zeller entering his final year and Bismack Biyombo and Willy Hernangomez entering free agency. Per Windhorst, if Charlotte does make that move, Golden State will likely move back. So it seems it’s Wiseman or bust for Bob Myers.