Mock NBA Draft 6.0: Will Anthony Edwards go first in the final mock draft?

The NBA draft is tonight. With that in mind, here is one final mock draft reflecting the flurry of movement that occurred over the last few days.

The longest pre-draft process in league history finally culminates tonight with the 2020 NBA Draft. Rumors are flying faster than ever as the NBA meshes an entire offseason into one week in November. The trade moratorium lifted on Monday (causing some of these picks to finally be moved) and free agency starts of Friday.

So with one final mock we try to make sense of the latest rumors heading into what promises to be an exciting evening of NBA chaos. There seems to be no consensus on any of the top picks and all of them seem to be up for grabs for whoever the latest trade buzz surrounds.

LaMelo Ball is still the most talked about player, and while he has cemented himself atop my personal Big Board he remains one of the most polarizing top prospects in recent memory. Anthony Edwards caused some trepidation with rumors about his lack of motor but the talent is clear. Two big men at the top could either be perennial All-Stars or perennially frustrating.

For all of us involved in the NBA draft lottery and beyond it will be calming to finally know where the chips fall. As the hype seems to find its way to different prospects every week it is increasingly tough to figure out what is real and what is gamesmanship. Chances are no one will get tomorrow quite right. We take one more stab at getting as close as we can.

As the trade rumors around the top pick begin to cool drafting for the Minnesota Timberwolves gets us back to Anthony Edwards. He remains the cleanest fit on the board and his ceiling is attractive. If he competes as hard as he needs to he would push this team right back into playoff contention. He could be an elite scorer and defender and is well worth the risk.

This pick seems destined to be traded, perhaps to the San Antonio Spurs in some deal for LaMarcus Aldridge. Until that happens though the Golden State Warriors and James Wiseman fit seems perfect. He can be brought along slowly, excel at what he is already ready to do (catch lobs, defend the rim, get out in transition) and grow as the team ages. This is the perfect situation for Wiseman.

The Charlotte Hornets have not-so-quietly been in the market for a big man and Onyeka Okongwu may be the best in the draft. The Bam Adebayo comparison is likely unfair given the Miami Heat star’s dominance in the playoffs but the tools are so similar. Okongwu would come in and transform this team defensively and accelerate their progression. Just please do not trade this pick for Russell Westbrook.

The Chicago Bulls are probably the toughest team in the top five to get a read on. They have a little bit of everything but are not completely sold on any of their young prospects. They continue to be linked to play makers after drafting Coby White last year and have Zach LaVine in the fold. If they go that route then LaMelo Ball is the easy choice. He is a brilliant passer and has (arguably) the highest ceiling in this draft. He would also make any possible trade of LaVine more palatable.

Figuring out where the Cleveland Cavaliers go from here is tough to project. In terms of best player available many would argue for Deni Avdija here so we will do the same. If his shot develops he is everything this team would need and also fits a need. That may be the biggest if of any wing prospect but it could turn the tide for the franchise.