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2020 NBA Mock Draft: Looking to the future after a chaotic 2019 draft

By Brendon Kleen

MIDDLE VILLAGE, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Cole Anthony #3 of Oak Hill Academy handles the ball on offense against La Lumiere in the semifinal of the GEICO High School National Tournament at Christ the King High School on April 05, 2019 in Middle Village, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
MIDDLE VILLAGE, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Cole Anthony #3 of Oak Hill Academy handles the ball on offense against La Lumiere in the semifinal of the GEICO High School National Tournament at Christ the King High School on April 05, 2019 in Middle Village, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 14: Iowa State Cyclones guard Tyrese Haliburton (22) drives to the basket in the second half of a quarterfinal Big 12 tournament game between the Iowa State Cyclones and Baylor Bears on March 14, 2019 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 14: Iowa State Cyclones guard Tyrese Haliburton (22) drives to the basket in the second half of a quarterfinal Big 12 tournament game between the Iowa State Cyclones and Baylor Bears on March 14, 2019 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Iowa State. Tyrese Haliburton. 13. player. 69. . G

Haliburton was on the other side of the Illinois-Iowa State matchup in Maui back in November. He was a very low-usage player for the Cyclones this season playing next to fellow freshman Talen Horton-Tucker as well as Nick Weiler-Babb and Marial Shayok, but figures to play a larger role in the offense as a sophomore.

The majority of his impact and NBA skill showed up on defense. Here are our notes:

  • The game was called inconsistently, but the referees were punishing Haliburton for not controlling his arms as he pressured the ball. He only fouled 1.6 times per 40 minutes as a freshman, but settling down would help him be even more impactful on that end.
  • That length also allows him to play a menacing role in the halfcourt defensively. He can cover a ton of ground on closeouts, which allows him to help more aggressively and therefore create turnovers at a higher rate. Analytics systems love Haliburton in large part because he racked up steals and blocks this season.
  • We wonder whether his thin frame is to blame for his inconsistent jump shot. Maybe he’s not getting enough lift or force in his jumper because he is so thin? Haliburton shot 43 percent from deep but just 69 percent from the free-throw line.
  • Haliburton is purely a ball-mover and spot-up player right now. He rarely did anything off the dribble except kick the ball back out. That’s a fine role for a super young freshman, but NBA teams will probably want to see more from him in Year Two.

Because of the intrigue around Haliburton’s statistical output and the fact that he will still be 20 years old for most of his rookie season if he is drafted next summer, he is a good bet to end up in the top 20 of next year’s draft, if not the lottery.

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