Soaring Down South
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NBA Mock Draft 4.0 — Warriors Take Wiseman First, Hawks grab LaMelo

By Dallin Duffy

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks celebrates hitting a three point shot late in the final quarter during the round 8 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks celebrates hitting a three point shot late in the final quarter during the round 8 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) /
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NBA Mock Draft
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Onyeka Okongwu #21 of the USC Trojans gets by Evins Desir #34 of the Florida A&M Rattlers for a dunk in the second half of the game at Galen Center on November 5, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. PF, USC. Washington Wizards. 9. 142. Pick Analysis. Onyeka Okongwu. player

Oknogwu versus Toppin will be a frequent debate up until draft night, with the two power forwards boasting similar size, offensive skills, and potential. Toppin is the more offensive-minded player, while Okongwu is better defensively.

The USC big man will likely be the best interior defender to come out of this class, and he can also offer elite switchability on the perimeter. With perfect size and uber-quick feet, Okongwu is a rare breed of player that can guard 1-5.

That’s not to say he can’t get it done at the other end, as Okongwu averaged over 16 points per game as a freshman, shooting 61 percent from the field. He’s a more than solid rim-runner, and a great lob target for a finally healthy John Wall.

A knock on him is his size, and Okongwu is basically a center trapped in a power forward’s body. We’ve seen some players overcome this at the next level such as Montrezl Harrell, but with Okongwu’s lack of outside shooting, it’ll be hard to play him next to another center who can’t shoot.

The Wizards’ league-worst defense needs someone like Okongwu, however, and we’ve seen many big men add a three to their game after a few seasons in the league.