2020 NBA Mock Draft: Final Mock 2 Rounds

Round 2

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: November 18, 2020.

31. Dallas Mavericks: Vernon Carey Jr., C, Duke
    
    
    The Dallas Mavericks have Kristaps Porzingis at power forward along with two good starters at guard with Luka Doncic and Seth Curry, the younger brother of Steph Curry. Doncic plays point guard while Curry plays shoooting guard, but both guys can play either guard spot. Getting upgrades at small forward and center is necessary if the Mavericks want to put together a championship contender similar to the 2011 Dallas Mavericks team that had icons like Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd. That team had stars at power forward and point guard and so does this one even though this team also needs a few more players to assert themselves as a Championship contender despite being a team that is good enough to make the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Dorian Finney-Smith is injured at small forward. Justin Jackson only scored 5.7 points per game in relief of Dorian Finney-Smith, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist the second pick in the 2012 NBA Draft once went from a promising starter with Charlotte early in his career to a guy who cannot even keep a backup small forward job in Dallas.
    
    
    
    The top center on my board is Vernon Carey Jr. Vernon Carey Jr. is a better prospect than Bruno Fernando and I had Fernando going in the top 20 at 19 last year in my 2019 NBA Mock, so in this mock I'm going to give the Mavericks Vernon Carey Jr. who is still available at 31 to start the second round of my final 2020 NBA Mock Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-10 270 lb Vernon Carey Jr. did well at Duke during his freshman season after being a former five star recruit in High School. Vernon Carey Jr. has the passing, short range, mid range, long range, offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding, and shot blocking to be an NBA big at the next level. He is hands down the top center not named James Wiseman or Daniel Oturu. Like Wiseman and Oturu he can defend against 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5's.
    
    
    
    Vernon Carey Jr. had 17.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 1.6 blocks per game, 1 assist per game, a 57.7% field goal percentage, a 38.1% three point percentage, and a 67% free throw percentage. Vernon Carey Jr. reminds me of Wendell Carter, the Duke center that the Bulls spent a top 10 pick on a few years ago. He could eventually develop into a player like that with the right coaching.
    
    
    Previous Pick: C.J. Elleby, SF, Washington State
    
    
32. Charlotte Hornets: Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Olympiacos BC B
    
    
    Charlotte has the luxury of ignoring their needs and taking the best player on the board. Aleksej Pokusevski is one of the best International players that you can get in the second round. I had a first round grade on him at one point, so this is a great find.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jahmi'us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech
    
    
    
    
33. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tre Jones, PG, Duke
    
    
    Minnesota drafts the younger brother of Tyus Jones from Apple Valley here knowning the value he provides after taking Anthony Edwards at 1 and Jaden McDaniels at 17. Minnesota can fill the final holes on their team by taking the best player available in the 2021 NBA Draft and a power forward to fill out their starting five next year unless they wish to fill those voids through Free Agency this year.
    
    
    
    Duke point guard Tre Jones was a highly coveted recruit coming out of Apple Valley just like his older brother. Tre Jones can pass, shoot from short range, mid range, or long range.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Tre Jones had 16.2 points per game, 6.4 assists per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, a 42.3% field goal percentage, 36.1% three point percentage, and a 77.1% free throw percentage. Jones did well as a sophomore improving on his mediocre freshman season that many forgot about after being a former 5-star recruit in High School back in 2018.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Robert Woodard II, SF, Mississippi State
    
    
34. Oklahoma City Thunder: Desmond Bane, SG, TCU
    
    
    Oklahoma City uses this pick on the top senior in this draft. Desmond Bane would be a good addition at shooting guard now that they traded Danny Green to the Philadelphia 76ers for Joel Embiid.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia can use this second round pick hoping to find a guard that can push Smith for the backup shooting guard job behind Josh Richardson. If the top senior in the 2020 NBA Draft beats out Smith for the backup shooting guard job, then he can learn behind Josh Richardson this season, and take over potentially next season. Philadelphia brought in Desmond Bane for a private workout, and many believe Bane is the top senior in the 2020 NBA Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Zeke Nnaji, C, Arizona
    
    
    
    
35. Sacramento Kings: Zeke Nnaji, C, Arizona
    
    
    The 6-11 240 lb Zeke Nnaji had 16.1 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, a 57% field goal percentage, a 29.4% three point percentage, and a 76% free throw percentage. Zeke Nnaji is the best player for the Sacramento Kings, and I had a first round grade on him in my April mock, in my second mock in August, I had him going one pick earlier to Philadelphia. Sacramento needs center depth behind Rashaun Holmes.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Neemias Queta, C, Utah State
    
    
36. Philadelphia 76ers: Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State
    
    
    Philadelphia gets a point guard for depth behind Ben Simmons. The 6-1 185 lb Cassius Winston lined up at both point guard and shooting guard at Michigan State. He picked apart first round prospects like Tre Jones in last years March Madness Tournament and Anthony Edwards when lining up at shooting guard in the Maui Invitational.
    
    
    
    Winston has great vision and offensive awareness. He can shoot from short range, mid range, or long range. He can shoot anywhere and pass the ball. He applies regular passes and bounce passes on tape. Goes to the gym seven days a week. Cassius Winston may be a late first round pick, so getting someone who does everything he does in the second round is terrific value.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Cassius Stanley, SG, Duke
    
    
    
    
37. Washington Wizards: Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona
    
    
    Washington gets a point guard for depth here behind John Wall. I'm not a fan of Nico Mannion, but many others have a first round grade on him. He's getting drafted as a backup to John Wall, so he'd only play in the event that Wall got injured again, which I don't have an issue with because Mannion is a guy who should start out as a backup, and earn minutes based on how many John Wall decides to play.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State
    
    
38. Utah Jazz: Elijah Hughes, SF, Syracuse
    
    
    Utah gets the leading scorer in the ACC here. Elijah Hughes led the ACC with 19 points per game in 2019-2020. The 6-6 215 lb Hughes is versatile enough to play shooting guard or small forward making him an ideal wing player that Utah can draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Xavier Tillman, C, Michigan State
    
    
    
    
39. New Orleans Pelicans: Malachi Flynn, PG, San Diego State
    
    
    The New Orleans Pelicans grab a point guard because there are rumors that both of their point guards Jrue Holliday and Lonzo Ball will be placed on the trade block this offseason. They will at least keep one of those two point guards, but don't be surprised if New Orleans drafts someone with one of their two second round picks to fill a void, just in case Holliday or Ball gets moved. The 6-1 185 lb Malachi Flynn had 17.6 points per game, 5.1 assists per game, and 4.5 rebounds per game with San Diego State on an Aztecs team that was undefeated until losing to Utah State in the Mountain West conference tournament.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Reggie Perry, PF, Mississippi State
    
    
40. Memphis Grizzlies: Paul Reed, PF, DePaul
    
    
    The Memphis Grizzlies get a forward for depth. Trendon Watford is a player I had a first round grade on in my last mock in April.
    
    
    
    Paul Reed had 15.1 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 2.6 blocks per game, 1.9 steals per game, a 51.6% field goal percentage, a 30.8% three point percentage, and a 73.8% free throw percentage this past season in his junior year at DePaul. Reed is a player who Memphis can draft here, since he's the only player from my August mock draft with a first round grade, that's still on the board at 40.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Trendon Watford, SF, LSU
    
    
    
    
41. San Antonio Spurs: Udoka Azubuike, C, Kansas
    
    
    The Spurs need a center. Udoka Azubuike got double doubles in College at Kansas. He averaged 13.7 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. The downside is he relies on his short range shots and does not defend well. His skills may not translate to the NBA, but the Spurs are desperate to find a quality starting center.
    
    
    
42. New Orleans Pelicans: Reggie Perry, PF, Mississippi State
    
    
    The New Orleans Pelicans grab a top 25 recruit from the class of 2018 as a bench player to Zion Williamson. Perry seems like an ideal backup for Zion with Derrick Favors set to be a Free Agent. If Perry doesn't pan out he can either go to the G-League or New Orleans can reload next year. Perry was Co-SEC Player of the year in 2019-2020.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Leandro Bolmaro, SG, F.C. Barcelona
    
    
    
    
43. Sacramento Kings: Isaiah Joe, SG, Arkansas
    
    
    Sacramento gets a quality backup to Buddy Hield. Isaiah Joe is someone drawing first round consideration from teams, so getting him here would be a nice addition for the Kings.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Josh Green, SG, Arizona
    
    
44. Chicago Bulls: Cassius Stanley, SG, Duke
    
    
    Chicago uses this pick from Memphis to get a shooting guard that can either push for a roster spot or have an impact in the NBA G-League. If the Bulls do end up trading Zach Levine, they need to use one of their second round picks to find his replacement.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona
    
    
45. Milwaukee Bucks: Payton Pritchard, PG, Oregon
    
    
    Milwaukee gets a backup to Jrue Holliday here. Payton Pritchard is the best player on the board at this point halfway through the second round.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Devon Dotson, PG, Kansas
    
    
    
    
46. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyrique Jones, PF, Xavier
    
    
    Portland has Nurcic at power forward next to Whiteside when healthy. Zac Collins got placed on season ending injury reserve and has just been too much of a liability for Portland since being drafted out of Gonzaga. Getting compettion to push Collins is an absolute must for Portland.
    
    
    
47. Boston Celtics: C.J. Elleby, SF, Washington State
    
    
    The 6-6 200 lb C.J. Elleby averaged 14.7 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game, 1 steal per game, a 43.6% field goal percentage, a 41.4% three point percentage, and a 66.1% free throw percentage as a true freshman in 2018-2019.
    
    
    
    C.J. Elleby returned to Washington State and averaged 18.4 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game, a 39.6% field goal percentage, a 33.9% three point percentage, and a 82.3% free throw percentage as a sophomore in 2019-2020. Boston gets him for depth in case they move Gordon Hayward.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Kaleb Wesson, C, Ohio State
    
    
    
    
48. Golden State Warriors: Robert Woodard II, SF, Mississippi State
    
    
    The Golden State Warriors get a small forward for depth behind Andrew Wiggins since they only have one small forward on their roster. Robert Woodard II is a great value pick at this spot in the second round.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Yevs Pons, SF, Tennessee
    
    
49. Philadelphia 76ers: Leandro Bolmaro, SG, F.C. Barcelona
    
    
    The 76ers ignore need and take the best player on the board. Bolmaro was a backup on his own team, and now he will be a backup on the 76ers.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Skylar Mays, SG, LSU
    
    
50. Atlanta Hawks: Skylar Mays, SG, LSU
    
    
    The Atlanta Hawks get a shooting guard for depth because they have the luxury of ignoring need and taking the best player on the board. Skylar Mays could be the first LSU Tiger drafted in the 2020 NBA Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Desmond Bane, SG, TCU
    
    
    
    
51. Golden State Warriors: Grant Riller, PG, Charleston
    
    
    Golden State grabs a successor for Steph Curry. Grant Riller is versatile enough to play both point guard and shooting guard at 6-3 190 lbs.
    
    
    
52. Sacramento Kings: Lamar Stevens, PF, Penn State
    
    
    Sacramento is another team that with so many draft picks can ignore need and take the best player on the board. Lamar Stevens is a power forward with the size of a small forward. He's also versatile enough to play either forward role making him a good pick here.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Killian Tillie, PF, Gonzaga
    
    
53. Oklahoma City Thunder: Killian Tillie, PF, Gonzaga
    
    
    Oklahoma City Thunder get a power forward for depth here. Killian Tillie is the top prospect on Gonzaga in the 2020 NBA Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Mamadi Diakite, PF, Virginia
    
    
54. Indiana Pacers: Mamadi Diakite, PF, Virginia
    
    
    The Indiana Pacers need a power forward. Mamadi Diakite was on the Virginia team that won the 2019 Mens Basketball Championship.
    
    
    Previous Pick: E.J. Montgomery, PF, Kentucky
    
    
55. Brooklyn Nets: Sam Merrill, SG, Utah State
    
    
    The Brooklyn Nets get a shooting guard for depth here. Sam Merrill is the best player on the board this late in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
56. Charlotte Hornets: Xavier Tillman, C, Michigan State
    
    
    The Hornets grab a big physical defender in Xavier Tillman. The 6-9 245 lb Tillman played center at Michigan State, but has the body of a power forward. The Hornets will draft a big since their starting center Cody Zeller is on the trade block. Tillman needs to work with a shooting coach to improve his three point shot.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Elijah Hughes, SF, Syracuse
    
    
57. Los Angeles Clippers: Yevs Pons, SF, Tennessee
    
    
    Yevs Pons had 74 blocks with Tennessee the most by a Volunteer since 1998. The 6-6 220 lb wing is also versatile enough to play shooting guard, small forward, or power forward with his versatility making him an ideal bench player for Los Angeles to add here.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Malachi Flynn, PG, San Diego State
    
    
58. Philadelphia 76ers: Kaleb Wesson, C, Ohio State
    
    
    The Philadelphia 76ers add Kaleb Wesson for depth. The 6-9 270 lb Kaleb Wesson led Ohio State in points as the teams starting center. He gets to be a backup to Joel Embiid here.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Immanuel Quickley, SG, Kentucky
    
    
59. Toronto Raptors: E.J. Montgomery, PF, Kentucky
    
    
    Toronto gets E.J. Montgomery at 59. E.J. Montgomery is the top power forward left in this draft. Montgomery was once considered a first round pick coming out of High School.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Nick Richards, C, Kentucky
    
    
60. New Orleans Pelicans: Nick Richards, C, Kentucky
    
    
    New Orleans wraps up this draft by ignoring need and taking the best player on the board. In this scenario, that would be Isaiah Joe out of Arkansas.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Isaiah Joe, SG, Arkansas