PICKS OF THE LITTER
No clear-cut top target in NBA draft
No draft in NBA history has come with this much uncertainty.
We don’t know who’ll be the top pick, or even for sure when it’ll be — already pushed back by coronavirus from June to October to Nov. 18, for now.
A lot can change with the Draft Combine starting Monday, but here is how The Post sees it playing out:
1 TIMBERWOLVES Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
Though there is no generational talent in this comparatively weak draft, there is a feeling Edwards will go first. The 6-foot-5 wing is an explosive scorer (19.1 ppg), can catch and shoot, and putting him with Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell gives Minnesota a high-powered offense, albeit shaky defense.
2 WARRIORS LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
The Warriors could move this pick for a veteran star and immediately get back into contention. But if they hold it, Ball — the only other likely contender for the top spot — could be the call. A 6-foot-7 passer who spent last year in Australia, he’d fit in seamlessly with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
3 HORNETS James Wiseman, C, Memphis
If Wiseman gets past Golden State — or whoever trades into the No. 2 spot — he may not slide past Charlotte. A skilled 7-footer with plus athleticism could pair with Devonte’ Graham and jump-start the arduous rebuild that started the moment they lost Kemba Walker.
4 BULLS Deni Avdija, SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv
If Ball is there for new coach Billy Donovan, expect the Bulls to scoop him up. But if not, expect them to make Avdija the first Israeli lottery pick. He’s 6-9 but plays more like a guard and won’t clash with big man Lauri Markkanen.
5 CAVALIERS Obi Toppin, SF/PF, Dayton
With opinions split on Toppin, he could go as high as third or fall all the way to the Suns at No. 10. The athletic 6-9 big man was the National Player of the Year and will be a nice stretch-four for the Cavs.
6 HAWKS Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC
What Atlanta really needs is a 3-point threat, but they’ll pick up that outside shooting in free agency and go with best available on draft night. That could end up being the long-armed 6-9 big man, who can both roll to and protect the rim, while ably backing up both center Clint Capela and power forward John Collins.
7 PISTONS Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG, Iowa State
At 6-foot-5 with good length on the defensive end and a great stroke on the other (41.9 percent from 3-point range at Iowa State), Haliburton can help the Pistons start to solve their long-standing woes in the backcourt.
8 KNICKS Isaac Okoro, F, Auburn
With Haliburton likely to be gone, let’s give the Knicks credit and assume they don’t insist on reaching for a point guard and wisely take the best player left on their board. If Toppin isn’t an option to add to their collection of power forwards, the 6-6 Okoroisaworkin progress offensively who can already guard 2’s, 3’s and even small 4’s.
9 WIZARDS Killian Hayes, G, Ulm
Born in the U.S., raised in France and playing in Germany, the 6-5 Hayes can be eased
into action in Washington. Bradley Beal and John Wall will handle the backcourt as the young lefty playmaker learns the ropes and hones his jumper.
10 SUNS Devin Vassell, G/F, Florida St.
The 6-foot-7 Vassell could easily go a pick earlier to Washington. But if the versatile shooter slips to the Suns, they’ll gladly snap up the Seminole. Another explosive wing tothrowinmixwith Devin Booker? Yes, please.
11 SPURS Aaron Nesmith, F, Vanderbilt
The NBA is about shooters now, and the 6-6 Nesmith could be the best in this draft. He averaged 23 points and hit 52.2 percent from deep before getting hurt in January. He can score off catchand-shoot, even off the bounce, and help as the Spurs retool.
12 KINGS Patrick Williams, SF, Florida State
Another FSU wing, he’s an underwhelming, raw offensive player. But based on upside, the freshman has all the physical tools to be a stellar defender. And at just 19, the youngest player in the draft has lots of room for growth.
13 PELICANS Saddiq Bey, G/F, Villanova
At 6-foot-8, he’s the 3-and-D prototype teams are searching for. He can grow with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, and do the defending at multiple spots that 36-year-old sniper JJ Redick no longer can.
14 CELTICS Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis
Despite a dearth of offensive moves, the defensiveminded forward’s athleticism allowed him to be the only freshman to average a doubledouble. The 6-9 Bronx native falls to the Eastern Conference finalist Celtics as the wealthy get wealthier.
19 NETS RJ Hampton, G, New Zealand Breakers
The Nets often look internationally, and at potential lottery picks who slide. The 6-6 American teen playing in New Zealand is both. He’s explosive, attacks the rim and runs forever — well enough that he can learn to defend. If he’s not there, TCU’s stocky 6-5 Desmond Bane (44.2 from deep) could be a fit.
27 KNICKS Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington
Yes, Mitchell Robinson is a solid young piece. But Stewart is a tough, high-motor big who would give the Knicks a younger, cheaper alternative to Bobby Portis (25) and Taj Gibson (35), who are on team options for a combined $26 million.