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The 2020 NBA Draft is set for Thursday, June 25, and despite the coronavirus pandemic, we need to start looking at prospects and where they might land. After the NBA Draft Lottery takes place, teams will know where they’re selecting in the first round. Even though we don’t know where each team will pick, there’s no reason we can’t start speculating where prospects will end up on draft night. In this segment, we’ll be looking at each top prospect and breaking down their best and worst possible destination in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
Best possible destination: Cleveland Cavaliers
I’ll start with this. It would be a bit of a reach for Haliburton to go this high to the Cavaliers — assuming they are picking in the top 3. I’ll also say that the Cavs have two young guards in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, having taken them in back-to-back drafts. Do they want to spend another lottery pick on a guard? From a need standpoint, no. But the way the draft shakes out and the fact Haliburton could be a steal helps.
The Iowa State guard injured his wrist and was ruled out for the season after just 22 games. Haliburton has a case for being drafted higher in a weak class. He’s got a great three-point stroke and has the prototypical size you want in a point guard in today’s NBA (6’5”). The great thing about Haliburton is he’s fine playing off the ball and making way for a stud two-guard (Sexton). Honestly, I don’t think Garland will be a starting PG in the NBA and is better suited as a bench piece. Haliburton could be a legit PG alongside Sexton, forming the backcourt Cleveland needs.
Worst possible destination: Chicago Bulls
For one, I don’t know if Haliburton would appreciated what the Bulls did to former Iowa State coach and great Fred Hoiberg. Even if Haliburton can get past this, he really doesn’t fit at all in Chicago. The Bulls just drafted Coby White and have a crowded backcourt with White, Zach LaVine and Tomas Satoransky — not to mention Kris Dunn could be retained after this season.
It also doesn’t help that the Bulls just revamped their entire front office and are likely to bring in new coach to replace Jim Boylen whenever this season wraps up. I think Haliburton would benefit from some stability or at least the opportunity in the team that drafts him. There are a ton of guards in this class, but I’d expect, if anything, the Bulls would opt for more of a wing player.