Going into the 2020 NBA Draft, nobody could argue against who were the consensus top-three picks. The only question was the order they would be selected in.
With the first pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves went with Georgia point guard Anthony Edwards, who, despite questions about his commitment to basketball and leadership, was considered to be the best player in the draft. Going to Minnesota will allow Edwards to learn from All-Stars D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns, so he will not be relied on to lead a franchise right away.
The Golden State Warriors took center James Wiseman with the second pick, finally addressing their needs at center after years of small-ball lineups. Despite the loss of star shooting guard Klay Thompson to injury, this Warriors team will return to competitiveness in the West.
After a rough 2020 season, the Warriors will have two-time MVP Steph Curry returning after being injured for much of last year. The team features two solid power forwards in Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, along with a trio of solid wing players in Andrew Wiggins, Eric Paschall and Kelly Oubre Jr. In addition, the Warriors drafted Arizona point guard Nico Mannion in the second round, whom many analysts believe will be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
The Charlotte Hornets took LaMelo Ball with the third pick, who is perhaps the most polarizing player in the entire draft. On a Hornets team with a plethora of young talent such as Miles Bridges, Devonte Graham and PJ Washington, Ball could be the leading piece on a team that is set up to succeed in the future.
The Cavaliers took Isaac Okoro at number five, followed by the Hawks taking Onyeka Okongwu. Both players were considered to be mid-round bargains, but the early picks surprised many analysts. While both were great college players, both are far from being finished products that can flourish right away in the NBA.
The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, after years of futility, decided to go with the safest options possible. With the seventh pick, the Pistons selected Killian Hayes from France, a star player in the EuroLeague with massive boom-or-bust potential. The Knicks used their selection on Obi Toppin, the 2020 College Basketball Player of the Year, who provides an electrifying package of scoring ability and athleticism.
At nine, the Washington Wizards selected Deni Advija from the Israeli League. With a solid dribble package and high basketball IQ, Advija had originally been projected to be a top-five pick. The Wizards are hoping he will follow the same transition as NBA stars Kristaps Porzingis, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo from the EuroLeague.
Rounding out the top-ten of the draft were the Phoenix Suns, who selected Maryland center Jalen Smith. While Smith was taken ahead of where most analysts projected him to go, he will be an interesting piece on an up-and-coming Suns team that is looking to compete in the 2020-2021 season.
The biggest winner out of this draft was the Golden State Warriors, who might finally have a center and made a great late pick with Nico Mannion, and the Kings, who made a great safe pick in Haliburton and took Robert Woodward in the second round. Woodward could be a sleeper.
The losers of the 2020 draft were by far the Chicago Bulls. Although Patrick Williams may end up proving us all wrong and turn out to be a great NBA talent, the Bulls wasted a top-five pick on a major project player that may end up hindering their rebuild.
Despite not being a high-touted draft class, there were definite opportunities for teams to make strides to help improve their teams. While some teams were able to take advantage, other teams failed to address pressing needs that will affect them in the future. The draft, however, will set up yet another exciting season of NBA basketball.
Article by Jackson Buss of Walter Johnson High School
Photo Courtesy of Rondo Estrello via Creative Commons