Redoing the 2020 NBA draft
It’s definitely too early to do this, but the 2020 NBA draft has already had plenty of players that were drafted lowly greatly outperform their draft position. I’ll also be grading the original selections that were made based off of how much better their new selection is. This is the first installment in a long series of redrafts that I’ll be doing, so stay tuned for more of these.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves, LaMelo Ball
The Timberwolves were presented with a difficult decision last year, as there was no consensus number one overall pick. They selected Anthony Edwards here originally, and while Edwards has been everything they hoped he’d be, LaMelo has just been better. Ball averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game on 43.6/35.2/75.8 shooting in his rookie year. Obviously his efficiency has to improve, but that’s far from uncommon among young players. Almost every other piece of his offensive game is already there, and with his incredible frame and athleticism, there’s nothing stopping him from becoming an elite defender as well. LaMelo’s potential has no ceiling, and the Wolves would take the chance to redo this pick in a heartbeat.
Original Pick: Anthony Edwards
Original Pick Grade: A-
Original Selection: Pick 3, Charlotte Hornets
2. Golden State Warriors, Anthony Edwards
Honestly, Anthony Edwards was a pretty strong contender for Rookie of the Year, and even though he falls to the second pick in the redraft, the Wolves made a great decision at number one. Edwards was everything he was advertised to be, averaging 19.3 points per game in his rookie year. Edwards would have been a huge upgrade over James Wiseman, who averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in just 39 games. With Edwards, the Warriors may have had a chance at the playoffs last year, instead of wasting another incredible year of Steph Curry’s dominance.
As for their original selection, James Wiseman was one of the three that were penciled into the top three but hasn’t proven to be worth that by any margin yet. Edwards may have already been drafted, but LaMelo Ball, the first pick in this redraft, was still available, as well as many other better options. Wiseman still has plenty of time, but he has a lot of catch-up work to do.
Original Pick: James Wiseman
Original Pick Grade: D+
Original Selection: Pick 1, Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Charlotte Hornets, Tyrese Haliburton
The Hornets easily got the best player in the draft at pick three. Unfortunately, LaMelo Ball is already gone in the redraft. The Hornets shouldn’t be too sad though, as Tyrese Haliburton fits the hole LaMelo would leave as well as anyone in this class. The 6'5" Haliburton averaged 13 points, 5.3 assists, and 3 rebounds per game on 47.2/40.9/85.7 shooting in just 30 minutes per game. Obviously LaMelo was a great pick, but Haliburton can still be the face of Charlotte for years to come.
Original Pick: LaMelo Ball
Original Pick Grade: A+
Original Selection: Pick 12, Sacramento Kings
4. Chicago Bulls, Patrick Williams
This pick worked out well for the Bulls, even though it seemed like a reach on draft night. Why not stick with it? Williams made All-Rookie second team but has shown more raw potential than both of the two available first-teamers. Williams averaged 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 48.3/39.1/72.8 shooting while playing great defense. He’s been a great fit on the Bulls, and there isn’t anyone else enough better to pull the Bulls away from him.
Original Pick: Patrick Williams
Original Pick Grade: A
Original Selection: Pick 4, Chicago Bulls
5. Cleveland Cavaliers, Saddiq Bey
The Cav’s original selection of Isaac Okoro worked out pretty well, but Bey is just better. Saddiq Bey put up 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 40.4/38/84.4 with a 3par of .66 (meaning two-thirds of his field goals attempted were threes). Bey would be the perfect fit with Cleveland guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, two ball-dominant scorers. Bey is a relatively low usage forward with an incredible shot. He also rarely turns the ball over. For a team that ranked 28th in threes made last year, the rookie with the third most threes made all time, would be most welcome.
Original Pick: Isaac Okoro
Original Pick Grade: B+
Original Selection: Pick 19, Detroit Pistons
Picks 6–10:
6. Atlanta Hawks, Isaac Okoro
The Hawks were an average defensive team last year, and they honestly have plenty of defensive liabilities on their team. A lockdown wing with real 2-way potential would be a big upgrade over their original selection of Onyeka Okungwu, who played just 12 minutes per game.
7. Detroit Pistons, Cole Anthony
The Pistons now have franchise PG Cade Cunningham, but that wasn’t the case at the time of this draft, and even so, Cole Anthony would be a great bench spark plug.
8. New York Knicks, Immanuel Quickley
The Knicks originally selected Obi Toppin here, but he didn’t pan out as they’d hoped. Thankfully, Immanuel Quickley emerged as a serious stud for the team, making All-Rookie second team after being selected at 25.
9. Washington Wizards, James Wiseman
Washington really just needs to start their rebuild. Trading Russell Westbrook was proof that they were ready to, and drafting James Wiseman signals that even more. There are better-proven prospects available, but Wiseman’s potential is difficult to match. That’s what Washington needs, and that’s what they’re getting.
10. Phoenix Suns, Isaiah Stewart
The Suns originally took Jalen Smith, hoping for a little bit of big man depth for their playoff run. However, Smith didn’t turn out that well. Stewart was originally taken 16th overall, but he greatly outperformed that selection and would’ve been a great asset to the Suns for some quality big play when DeAndre Ayton was off the floor.
Late Lottery:
11. San Antonio Spurs, Desmond Bane
The Spurs originally picked Devin Vassell, but Desmond Bane was everything they’d hoped Vassell would be, and Vassell just wasn’t quite.
12. Sacramento Kings, Deni Avdija
The Kings get a high potential forward to hopefully develop into a capable costar for DeAaron Fox at 12. Definitely a downgrade from Tyrese Haliburton, but Haliburton is long gone.
13. New Orleans Pelicans, Xavier Tillman
The Grizzlies are just so very good at drafting. Xavier Tillman was the 35th pick in the draft and has made it up to 13th here. Tillman played very well in his rookie year and would be a good fit alongside the Pelicans young core.
14. Boston Celtics, Kira Lewis Jr
Kira Lewis Jr. played about as well expected, which means he ends up around where he was originally drafted, falling just one spot. There isn’t too much to say about him, but he would be a solid role player off the Celtic’s bench.
