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2020 NBA Draft: Mock Draft 2.0 – all 30 first round picks

By Stevie Cozens

ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Lamelo Ball, NBA Draft, 2020 NBA Mock Draft, NBA Draft
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 12: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks stands during a timeout during the round 15 NBL (Photo by Brent Lewin/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Point Guard. 3. 170. Illawarra Hawks. LaMelo Ball. player

Point guard LaMelo Ball may have the most star upside in this draft. If one of the top two teams don’t grab him for themselves or to trade to someone else, then the Charlotte Hornets are a lock to take him with the third pick.

The Hornets don’t have a point guard or a franchise cornerstone. But Ball could be just that guy. We all know about his crazy passing ability and his unique feel for the game. Though he was raw when he played for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia, his passing was already at an NBA level.

As he stands at six-foot-seven now, he has elite physical tools for the point guard position. Defense and his shot are probably the two biggest concerns at this point. But, when you look at his time in Australia, he was asked to do all the heavy lifting on a bad team with injuries to two of the best players.

Ball is a risk no matter where he is picked, but if you are trying to find a star, especially in a small market like Charlotte, then he is your guy.

(Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
(Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

24. Scouting Report. Power Forward. Deni Avdija. player. Pick Analysis. Maccabi Tel Aviv. 4

Deni Avdija is an exciting six-foot-nine forward out of Israel. He has moved around a lot on draft boards, but as a ball-handling wing who can potentially play the three in the future, he should be a no brainer for the Chicago Bulls.

He can pass, he can shoot, he is a strong defender, and he has a great IQ. The advantages of playing pro in Europe should also be taken into consideration. While guys like Wiseman are dunking on five-foot-seven guards in high school, Deni played against men in one of the world’s toughest leagues.

The Bulls have struggled for an identity on both ends since the trade of Jimmy Butler three seasons ago. They have exciting young pieces in Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, and Coby White, but the front office and coaching changes have made it tough for them to develop. With the lack of healthy NBA quality forwards, they need to bring in someone who can do it all.

In Avdija, they could bring in a prospect who could contribute on both ends right away. With a new front office that has strong European ties already, this could be a great fit.