The 2020 NBA Draft Lottery is officially over and the top 10 lottery pick teams are officially locked in. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the teams with the top 10 picks, what they need in their next prospect, and which prospects each team should look into. With that being said, let’s get on with the show.
#1 Pick: The Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are a solid team in my eyes, but they just need a couple of missing pieces to get them going, which will come in the form of their NO. 1 pick. What they need is a big man that can play as a backup for or alongside star centre Karl Anthony-Towns, who is regarded as a top 5 centre in the league as of now. They need someone who can put up the same efforts as Towns both offensively and defensively. A two-way forward could fill that spot as well as filling in for the deficit left by the departure of Andrew Wiggins. This forward should be able to benefit the Timberwolves in the long run, as well as setting them up for potential playoff contention in the near future.
Prime prospects: Onyeka Okongwu, Daniel Oturu, Anthony Edwards
#2 Pick: The Golden State Warriors
It’s safe to say that the Warriors are in the perfect position for the rebuilding stage. With the loss of Kevin Durant to free-agency, and star guard duo Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to injury, the Warriors tanked to the bottom of the Western Conference and are in some serious need for a makeover. A top for this team would give them a chance to add a young star to their lineup to work with a now healthy Splash Brothers to revive their now lost electric offence. A guard or centre with a high ceiling is what the Warriors should be looking into, but the priority remains in an upgrade to the Warriors’ frontcourt.
Prime prospects: James Wiseman, Onyeka Okongwu, LaMelo Ball
#3 Pick: The Charlotte Hornets
I like to call Charlotte the hub for the NBA’s blooming stars. Players like Devonte’ Graham, Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges, Malik Monk and P.J. Washington have all showed promise to become the NBA’s next generation of talent. What this Hornets team needs is a two-way player who can help on scoring and on defending. Or a big man that can play alongside P.J. Washington, creating some noise on the inside and some defensive efficiency for the Hornets.
Prime prospects: Daniel Oturu, Onyeka Okongwu, Lamine Diane
#4 Pick: The Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have a dynamic duo on the rise in Zach Lavine and Wendell Carter Jr. What the Bulls need is an all around player who can benefit the Bulls on both ends of the court. Someone who can compliment and can act as a backup for the scoring ability of Lavine, as well as someone who can provide that extra help on the inside for Carter Jr, who is already a premier interior defender in the league, but a little bit of help never hurt anyone.
Prime prospects: Onyeka Okongwu, Obi Toppin, Luke Garza
#5 Pick: The Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s funny how just two years ago, the Warriors and the Cavaliers were two of the best teams in the league. Fast forward to 2020 and you can’t really say the same for the two teams. After the departure of LeBron James, it’s only been going downhill for the Cavs. Much like Warriors (and each of these lottery teams), each position is filled with decent players, with the exception of rising stars in Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman, and star centre Andre Drummond. What this Cavs team needs is someone who can create defensive stops (perimeter or paint), and can rebound, as Andre Drummond’s future with the team is unclear, as well as taking into consideration that the Cavs have the worst offensive efficiency in the league.
Prime prospects: Onyeka Okongwu, James Wiseman, Daniel Oturu
#6 Pick: The Atlanta Hawks
With one of the youngest teams in the league, it’s safe to say that the future is indeed bright for Atlanta basketball. You have sharpshooter guard Trae Young, a high-flying forward in John Collins, and blooming young stars in Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish. What the Hawks need is a big man that can pair alongside Collins, and can give some energy to the Hawk’s inside scoring to compliment Trae Young’s daggers from 3 point land. What could also work for the Hawks is a player who isn’t afraid to shoot the ball, and can create plays, to act as a mirror and a compliment to Trae Young’s game.
Prime prospects: LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, Onyeka Okongwu
#7 Pick: The Detroit Pistons
The departure of Andre Drummond was a devastating loss for the Pistons, but budding star centre Christian Wood has been putting in work for the Pistons. What the Pistons need from their potential first pick is a guard who can play alongside veteran Derrick Rose and isn’t afraid to shoot the ball from outside, as well as dishing the rock to the other players on the court. This guard can also help to fill the deficit left by the departure of Reggie Jackson. The Pistons can also look into a player that can fill in the small and power forward position, to act as a backup option for sophomore forward Sekou Doumbouya and veteran forward Blake Griffin.
Prime prospects: Aaron Nesmith, Deni Avdija, Markus Howard
#8 Pick: The New York Knicks
To quote Drake: “I’m here for a good time, not a long time”. But Knicks fans will tell you the complete opposite. The Knicks have been the laughing stock for the league in the recent years. From outlandish free agency pickup theories, to losing records year after year, it’s safe to say that Knicks fans have had enough of losing. The cure? A two-way player that can provide efficiency on the offensive and defensive side, and can provide support on the wings of the Knicks offense. If that doesn’t work, then the Knicks should look into a guard that can bump up their assist numbers, seeing as the Knicks rank in the bottom 3 in the league in terms of assists per game.
Prime prospects: Isaac Okoro, LaMelo Ball, Devin Vassell
#9 Pick: The Washington Wizards
With Bradley Beal bringing the electric offense, the Wizards should be looking for a player that can bring the electricity to the Wizards’ defense. We’re talking both on the perimeter and the paint. The Wizards should also be looking for a player they can grow and rely on in the long run. It also wouldn’t hurt to add a scorer to the lineup. Although the Wizards already have scorers like Bradley Beal, Rui Hachimura, and Davis Bertans, the safest bet for the Wizards (in terms of an offensive addition) is a guard that can play alongside Beal and Wall (if he returns in the near future), or can act as a reliable second option for the backcourt.
Prime prospects: Killian Hayes, Markus Howard, Daniel Oturu
#10 Pick: The Phoenix Suns
Much like Charlotte, Phoenix has both upcoming and established stars at each position, and could use a little help that could make a big difference. With Ricky Rubio and Devin Booker making a great backcourt duo, and Deandre Ayton holding it down in the paint, what the Suns should go for is a player to play as the middleman, and someone with great versatility that can bring balance to Phoenix basketball. To be more specific, someone who can play the small and the power forward position, filling in the spot for a three and D player.
Prime prospects: Isaac Okoro,Tyrese Haliburton, Precious Achiuwa
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