NBA 2020 Mock Draft 1.0 – Options abound for OKC Thunder

The Pistons are a mess, but this pick could give them hope.

Nico Mannion has cooled off a bit down the stretch of the season, but the high upside guard still averages 13 points, two rebounds, five assists, and a steal per game. The 6’3 Siena, Italy native is a three-point shooting machine. The freshman has jacked up five triples a game, making them at a 32 percent clip. For reference, with a closer three-point line, Heat breakout guard Tyler Herro averaged 35 percent from deep a year ago.

Mannion can spread the ball around, dishing out five assists per contest. A number that jumps up to seven per 40 minutes. While his stats won’t exactly leap off the page at you, you have to consider his teammates.

I see maybe one draftable player playing alongside Mannion. In a college game that sees a ton of teams playing zone, with traps, and things of that nature it becomes a lot easier to shut down a team with only one or two talented players.

In Detriot, they would solidify their point guard position. Mannion has shown the ability to handle and distribute the ball at a high level in college. Put him next to a healthy Luke Kennard (if the Pistons do not trade him by the start of next season, because ya know, they are the Pistons) and whatever is left of Blake Griffin, you might have something here.

Nico Mannion’s mixtapes will get a ton of fans excited about his game as the draft process rolls on.

Mannion has a bit of Devin Booker in his game, and pound-for-pound has the most upside in this year’s NBA Draft.

I do not see a better play on the board for the Detriot Pistons than Mannion.