2020 NBA Mock Draft

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia

2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, C, Memphis

3. Charlotte Hornets: Onyeka Okungwu, F, USC

4. Chicago Bulls: LaMelo Ball, G, Illawarra (Australian NBL)

* Celtics trade: Kemba Walker, #14, #26, and #30 picks to Bulls for Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter, and #4 pick

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin, F, Dayton

6. Atlanta Hawks: Isaac Okoro, G/F, Auburn

7. Detroit Pistons: Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State

* Celtics trade: #26 pick, Enes Kanter, and Vincent Poirier to Pistons for Derrick Rose

8. New York Knicks: Killian Hayes, G, ratiopharm Ulm (German BBL)

9. Washington Wizards: Devin Vassell, G, Florida State

10. Phoenix Suns: Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova

11. San Antonio Spurs: Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israeli BPL)

12. Sacramento Kings: Patrick Williams, F, Florida State

13. New Orleans Pelicans: Kira Lewis, G, Alabama

14. Boston Celtics: Aaron Nesmith, G, Vanderbilt

15. Orlando Magic: Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky

16. Houston Rockets: Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis 

17. Minnesota Timberwolves: RJ Hampton, G, NZ Breakers (Australian NBL)

18. Dallas Mavericks: Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford

19. Brooklyn Nets: Josh Green, G, Arizona

20. Miami Heat: Desmond Bane, G, TCU

21. Philadelphia 76ers: Malachi Flynn, G, San Diego State

22. Denver Nuggets: Jalen Smith, F, Maryland 

23. New York Knicks: Cole Anthony, G, North Carolina

24. New Orleans Pelicans: Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington

25. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aleksej Pokusevski, F, Olympiacos B.C. (Euro League)

26. Boston Celtics: Leandro Bolmaro, G/F, FC Barcelona Lassa (Spanish Liga ACB)

* Celtics trade: Kanter, Poirier, #26, and #47 to Rockets for P.J. Tucker

27. Utah Jazz: Zeke Nnaji, F, Arizona

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Theo Maledon, G, ASVEL (French LNB Pro A)

29. Toronto Raptors: Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington

30. Boston Celtics: Robert Woodard, G/F, Mississippi State

Random Celtics Thoughts:

Players I would be happy to see in a Celtics uniform that are not expected to be Top 10 picks tonight:

Aaron Nesmith, G, Vanderbilt

Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis

Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova

Kira Lewis, G, Alabama

Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky

Payton Pritchard, Oregon

Desmond Bane, G, TCU

Zeke Nnaji, F, Arizona

Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington

Malachi Flynn, G, San Diego State

Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford

Cole Anthony, G, North Carolina

Robert Woodard, G/F, Mississippi State

Jahmi'us Ramsey, G, Texas Tech

***

Remember, the Celtics should be intent on adding specific pieces - such as quick ball handlers, shooters, and athletic big men - that can fit into specific roles as the team builds around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.  They will be good enough to be a threat in the East for the next two years, but they really should be building towards the 2022-23 season when Tatum should be right in the middle of the MVP discussion.

Tatum and Brown have great playoff experience but are also still coming into their own as players.  Finding young players that will complement these two rising stars should be Danny Ainge's top priority tonight.

This is why I still have high hopes for last year's top pick Romeo Langford.  Langford battled through injuries and did not contribute much as a rookie, but the goal with him to have him ready to be a factor in the rotation by 2022 or 2023.  If he develops into a solid two-way wing that can defend and hit open shots, then we'll look back on the 2019 Draft as a success for the Celtics (who also landed versatile forward Grant Williams later in that first round).

***

Stop listening to Michael Felger, Tony Massarotti, and the Goof Who Does The Updates.  They know NOTHING about basketball or the NBA.  Their criticism of Ainge and his drafting is the result of them not understanding the game or team building.  In fact, there's really no reason to ever listen to them as they are a trio of miserable and insufferable talking heads who are out of touch with the games and teams they are supposed to know inside and out.

***

Losing Gordon Hayward, if he is indeed on his way out of Boston, it is too bad.  Hayward is a multi-talented All-Star caliber player who had unfortunate injuries that were beyond his control.  Obviously we would have to see what the return is for him before rushing to judgement, but it's tough to see a scenario in which the Celtics improve on the floor next season without Hayward.

But, again, Ainge should be playing the long game with Hayward if there is no opportunity to turn him into an immediate upgrade.  Tatum and Brown - along with a supporting cast led by Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart - will be enough to win 50+ games and advance to at least the Eastern Semi-Finals in 2021 and 2022.  Then, come 2023 when Tatum and Brown should be right in the middle of their prime, the Celtics want to be in position to dominate the East and win a championship.

Obviously, if that clock can be sped up than Ainge should take advantage of the opportunities in front of him.  But staying patient and allowing Tatum and Brown to develop into the stars that are capable of carrying a team to a championship is the smart play.

***

Enjoy the mispronunciations of the foreign names tonight.