NBA 2020 Mock Draft 1.0 – Options abound for OKC Thunder
By Rylan Stiles
player. 142. . Guard | New Zealand. Washington Wizards. RJ Hampton. 9
The Wizards get John Wall protection with high upside pick
If you have been following along with all of my NBA Draft coverage on TI, you will know that I am extremely high on RJ Hampton. The once Kansas bound prospect elected to instead go overseas and play in the ABL, for the Breakers.
Like LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton’s season is already over. He will focus on preparing for the NBA Draft, after not getting the amount of hype he thought he would. In my estimation, if he went on to play for the no third-ranked Kansas squad, he would have a lot more “hype” around him. How much does hype play into account? I guess we will find out soon.
Like LaMelo, the NBA Combined will be a huge opportunity for RJ Hampton to give his draft stock an uptick.
Why would the Wizards make this move? Sure, they have John Wall’s monster contract on the books, but he is still coming off an Achilles tear. There is no guarantee John Wall returns to his once All-Star form when he finally gets back on the hardwood.
Take a look at Bradley Beal, as well. RJ Hampton is able to play either guard spot and Beal is only under contract for one more season. It is reasonable to believe that between now and the Summer of 2021, Beal is moved out of D.C.
Hampton is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. He is a 6’5 guard that is fluid and a silky smooth ball handler. The prototypical new-age point guard. The way he can control the offense, the pace, and control his body on the way to the rim.
If you put RJ Hampton’s frame in an NBA caliber weight room with their staff, the sky is the limit for his physical growth. Already a great passer, ball handler, and features elite speed. His basketball IQ as a pass and visionary sets him apart from the rest of the guards in this draft.
However, his shot selection needs work, to put it nicely. Playing with NBA talent might help settle him down, but we know Scott Brooks is not one to reign in a young guard.
Given his size, I would not be against the Wizards rolling out a three-guard lineup that features all of Beal, Wall, and Hampton along with Rui and Bryant to round out the starting five.