2020 NBA draft- Sports Illustrated’s expert analyzes every first-round pick of the 2020 NBA draft.
That’s a wrap on the 2020 draft, which unfolded mostly according to plan for four picks, and then spiraled into a somewhat chaotic blur.
The following written content by Jeremy Woo via Sports Illustrated
That’s a wrap on the 2020 draft, which unfolded mostly according to plan for four picks, and then spiraled into a somewhat chaotic blur. In a draft where teams were all across the board in their views on a wide range of players, surprises were certainly to be expected. Scroll down to find Jeremy Woo’s instant analysis on all 30 first round picks, as they happened on Wednesday night.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
In the end, the Timberwolves made the pick most around the NBA expected they would, going with Edwards as their choice. Minnesota mulled this decision from every angle, calling teams until the last possible second in an attempt to maximize the value of the pick, but Edwards was ultimately the strongest fit, as well as who they felt was the best prospect. He will take some time to figure things out, and the Wolves will have to invest fully in his growth. But Edwards is the draft’s most gifted scorer, arguably its most impressive athlete, and comes with real upside. Minnesota will hope he evolves into the third star they’ve been seeking to play with Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell.
2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
No surprises here: Wiseman was widely expected to be Golden State’s choice at No. 2, and it would appear the Warriors intend to keep the pick. Wiseman is the most physically gifted big in the draft, with a huge wingspan and above-average mobility, and he should slide into the Warriors’ rotation and enter an optimal situation for his development. Playing alongside Golden State’s veterans should lead to easy buckets and help maximize Wiseman early in his career, as he works to develop his jump shot and expand his skill set to become a more versatile scorer. The worst news of the day was that Klay Thompson is now dealing with a potentially serious leg injury, and it’s unclear if that impacted Golden State’s decision to stand pat. But the Warriors made this pick to position themselves for the present and future, and Wiseman could eventually be their centerpiece if he reaches his ceiling, as Steph Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green enter their 30s.
3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
After much discussion both in the public sphere and behind closed doors, Ball was the right pick for the Hornets, and the organization will focus its efforts on developing him into an All-Star-level centerpiece. Ball has great size for his position, but more importantly is a visionary playmaker who excels in the open floor, and the type of connective talent Charlotte’s roster has sorely lacked. If his jump shot comes along, he’s going to be very difficult to stop, and if the Hornets can find the right pieces around him, Ball can be the engine driving their rebuild. There’s risk here, but Ball is terrific value at No. 3, and a player the Hornets and their fan base should be able to get excited about. One thing is for certain: no matter what he does as a rookie, the spotlight will follow.
4. Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams, F, Florida State
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