NBA 2020 Mock Draft 1.0 – Options abound for OKC Thunder
By Rylan Stiles
Golden State Warriors. James Wiseman. 1. player. 41. . Center | Memphis
The first pick may be the most interesting in the entire NBA Draft if things go according to plan.
The first pick of the NBA Draft was granted to the Golden State Warriors on the first simulation of the Tankathon lottery simulator, which means the team with the worst record in the NBA right now, keeps the best selection.
However, would the Warriors actually use this selection? Or would they package their first overall pick into a huge offseason trade to make a splash? Given the fact that as of now, in mid-January, we do not have official reports one way or another what the Warriors would do, let’s act as though they will use this pick to replenish their banged-up superteam.
Now if you have been reading my NBA Draft content, as you are supposed to, you know one of my main storylines, as we head into the offseason, is James Wiseman. Is he a franchise player? Does he have the motor and ability to carry a team as Joel Embiid, KAT, AD, and the like? Or is he more of a Deandre Ayton type? A Nice player that can not make a huge impact on a team by himself. Still, a nice player though.
However, the Warriors earning the first pick, and keeping it, could be Wiseman’s saving grace at being the top pick in the NBA Draft as I pegged him for prior to the season. With the Golden State Warriors, Wiseman could flourish and truly bring the Warriors back to that unbeatable perch where they once sat.
A lineup of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and James Wiseman would be incredible with Andrew Wiggins left over to either add in or deal with a future pick to make another big offseason splash in addition to Wiseman. Safe to say, the Warriors aren’t going anywhere. So western conference teams, enjoy this while you can.
If the Warriors trade this pick, all bets are off on who would go number one, as again I do not see a franchise passing on a possible franchise-altering ball-handler for a nice, but not good enough to change the course of the organization big as the Suns did by passing on Doncic with Ayton.