Nuggets Shock with World, Take Okongwu 1st, Ball and Wiseman go 2nd and 3rd
ESPN.com
The Associated Press
By Marc Stein
NEW YORK, NY --- The Denver Nuggets ignored all the experts, and instead of taking Edwards, Ball or Wiseman #1, reached for Nigerian power forward, Onyeka Okongwu with their first overall selection. His fit with their team is better, but it's a questionable move to not go for the best player available with their pick. The Bulls, Hornets and Pistons quickly capitalized on this by selecting LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards respectively with the next three picks. There wasn't a lot of movement on draft night but there was one big trade in which the Timberwolves formed a big 3 of Karl Anthony-Towns, D'Angelo Russell and now Blake Griffin, by trading their 8th overall pick to the rebuilding Detroit Pistons.
1st Round
1.) Onyeka Okongwu (DEN)
2.) LaMelo Ball (CHI)
3.) James Wiseman (CHA)
4.) Anthony Edwards (DET)
5.) Cole Anthony (NYK)
6.) Tyrese Haliburton (CLE)
7.) Deni Avdija (WAS)
8.) Patrick Williams (DET via. MIN)
9.) Killian Hayes (IND)
10.) R.J. Hampton (PHX)
11.) Obi Toppin (SAS)
12.) Isaac Okoro (SAC)
13.) Aaron Nesmith (NOP)
14.) Previous Achiuwa (UTH)
15.) Tyrese Maxey (ORL)
16.) Vernon Carey Jr. (BOS)
17.) Theo Maledon (MIA)
18.) Amar Sylla (POR)
19.) Saddiq Bey (MIN)
20.) Jahmi'us Ramsey (GSW)
21.) Tre Jones (OKC)
22.) Nico Mannion (OKC)
23.) Zeke Nnaji (BOS)
24.) Isaiah Stewart (SAC)
25.) Josh Green (DAL)
26.) Kira Lewis Jr. (BOS)
27.) Devin Vassell (BKN)
28.) Scottie Lewis (MIL)
29.) Ashton Hagans (LAL)
30.) Robert Woodard II (ATL)
2nd Round
36.) Jaden McDaniels (CHA)
43.) Aaron Henry (CHA)
Trades
- Minnesota Timberwolves trade the 8th overall pick and a 2021 2nd round pick to the Detroit Pistons for Blake Griffin and a 2024 1st round pick
- Toronto Raptors trade the 24th pick and 55th pick to the Sacramento Kings for Nemanja Bjelica
- New York Knicks trade the 28th pick and 35th pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for their 2021 1st round pick and the Pacers 2021 1st round pick