A Royal Pain’s 2020 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Who Will The Sacramento Kings Pick?

The final team picking in the lottery is the Portland Trail Blazers, who certainly didn’t think that they’d be in this position.

Portland played in the Western Conference Finals last season but has struggled mightily this year due mostly to injuries to their front line. They find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, and will miss out on the post season barring a late-season miracle. But that would net them a pick in the lottery of the 2020 NBA Draft, and they could be able to fill a need with their pick.

Who the Blazers go with here might be a bit of a mystery. There are still a handful of off-guards and wing players available at this point, including Tyrese Maxey and Jaden McDaniels, both of whom are projected top-ten picks in some drafts. Given the Blazers immediate history of debilitating injuries to thier big men, they might want to add a body up front to give the team some much-needed depth.

In our scenario, the Blazers close out the lottery by picking Precious Achiuwa out of Memphis. Achiuwa is a somewhat-undersized power forward, standing at six foot nine and weighing 225 pounds. But as the league transitions more and more to small ball, the freshman will easliy find a home in the NBA. For now, his offensive game is limited, but he is a powerful athlete who doesn’t shy away from contact. He can be the down-low banger that the Trail Blazers would need should their current big men continue with their ailments.

Don’t be surprised if the Blazers trade out of this pick, possibly to get themselves out from being essentially handcuffed by the salary cap.