2020 NBA Re-Draft: Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball at No. 1?

Jacob Kupferman/Associated Press

30. Memphis Grizzlies (via Boston): Precious Achiuwa

Actual Pick: Desmond Bane

Achiuwa’s career to date is populated largely by lowlights and glimpses into the theoretical. You’re free to take a swing on Aaron Nesmith, Killian Tillie, Freddie Gillespie, Paul Reed, Saben Lee, Udoka Azubuike, Jalen Smith, Trent Forrest or someone else in this spot. But Achiuwa can make plays around the rim on defense and has explored adding the three-ball to his arsenal. This is a flier on the abstraction of what he might, technically, one day be able to provide.

29. Toronto Raptors: Malachi Flynn

Actual Pick: Malachi Flynn

The actual Raptors probably wouldn’t take Flynn again if given a do-over. His role has diminished as a sophomore, even amid a rotation that desperately needs to rest its key players, and he doesn’t offer much game management from the 1 spot. Still, give me the dude who will work his behind off defending on-ball and party-crashing passing lanes.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Lakers): Josh Green

Actual Pick: Jaden McDaniels

More consistent playing time looks pretty good on Green, and it has vaulted him back into the first round of our redo. Since joining the Dallas Mavericks’ rotation just after Christmas, he is converting more than 69 percent of his looks at the rim and hovering around league average on twos in the paint but outside the restricted area. His outside shot needs work, but he’s shown promise from the strong-side corner, in addition to flashing functional explosion at both ends.

27. Utah Jazz: Xavier Tillman Sr.

Actual Pick: Udoka Azubuike

A deeper, healthier Grizzlies frontcourt has shoehorned Tillman into a smaller role, but he remains super high energy around the basket and knows how to handle himself when guarding in space. His offensive game is complementary, his range finite. He has, however, demonstrated a nice blend of brute force and touch outside the restricted area.

26. Boston Celtics: Killian Hayes

Actual Pick: Payton Pritchard

Some may not have Killian Hayes, the No. 7 pick in 2020, on the re-draft board at all. I can’t go that far. There is a real composure to his game when he has room to maneuver around screens—kick-outs and entry passes that imply a higher-level feel. Hayes has already forged some impromptu chemistry with Marvin Bagley III, and if he can ever develop a reliable standstill three or in-between touch, his first year-plus in the league will quickly become a distant memory.

25. New York Knicks (via Oklahoma City): R.J. Hampton

Actual Pick: Immanuel Quickley

Those of us who predicted an R.J. Hampton breakout in Orlando will never give up. His scoring needs work. He is inconstant at the basket and when pulling up, but he was draining 36.4 percent of his triples before suffering a sprained left MCL and can bust out changes in tempo when given room to maneuver. And while he isn’t what you’d call a lockdown defender, he battles through screens and will exploit players with loosey-goosey handles.

24. Denver Nuggets (via Milwaukee): Kira Lewis Jr.

Actual Pick: R.J. Hampton

Suffering a torn ACL and sprained MCL in his right knee on the heels of an unimpressive rookie season is hardly the ideal start for Lewis’ NBA career. His stock has plummeted accordingly. But his potential utility as a human blur on the ball endures, even if his ACL injury is a longer-term concern. Lewis also began the season showing improved finishing, quicker decision-making off the catch and more complicated footwork on the ball. He continues to be worth a first-round flier despite not yet living up to his lottery-pick status (No. 13).

23. Minnesota Timberwolves (via New York): Payton Pritchard

Actual Pick: Leandro Bolmaro

The aesthetics of Pritchard’s skill set continue to outstrip his efficiency. There is an under-control flair to how he handles the ball; he is getting better at maintaining his dribble and has kick-outs to trailing shooters down to a science. His own shot selection could stand to diversify. He stalls out before the rim, and taking more than 60 percent of your looks from beyond the arc holds only so much value when you’re not an entrenched off-the-dribble sniper or threat from other levels. He has hinted at an in-between jumper fleetingly, but on any given night he remains on the fringes of Boston’s rotation.

22. Denver Nuggets: Jordan Nwora

Actual Pick: Zeke Nnaji

Nwora is the quintessential blessing-and-curse package. His shot creation and general aplomb can prop up lineups thin on the former, but he looks out of place as a smaller cog in more talented lineups. Off-the-bounce confidence is an asset on its own, though. And Nwora is splashing in 36.7 percent of his pull-up treys while having bumped up his efficiency around the basket. The apex of his highs are worth the turbulence of his lows.

21. Philadelphia 76ers: Tre Jones

Actual Pick: Tyrese Maxey

Tre Jones has quietly looked the part of an NBA player in measured doses this season. His command in the half court isn’t overwhelming, but it exists. He knows how to throw a quality bounce pass and feed players coming around screens. His long-range volume and accuracy leave much to be desired, but he puts genuine pressure on the rim and has downed 51 percent of his pull-up two-point jumpers (25-of-49) as a sophomore.