2020 Draft Class NBA: Analyzing Top Picks and Their Current Impact

I still remember sitting in my living room on that Friday evening of September 9, 2020, watching the virtual draft unfold at 5 p.m. from what would have been Philsports Arena under normal circumstances. The energy was different—no roaring crowds, no handshakes between prospects and commissioners, just the quiet anticipation of teams making franchise-altering decisions from their home offices. As someone who's followed NBA drafts for over fifteen years, I've developed this sixth sense about which picks will become superstars and which will fade into obscurity. That night, I had my notebook ready, tracking every selection with the intensity of a scout, though I was just another analyst trying to predict the future of basketball.

When the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick, I'll admit I had my doubts. Here was a player with undeniable athleticism but questionable shooting percentages—he'd shot just 29% from three-point range in college. Yet there was something about his explosive drives to the basket that made me think he could develop into something special. Fast forward to today, and Edwards has not just met expectations but shattered them, averaging 24.7 points per game last season while becoming the face of the Timberwolves franchise. His transformation from raw athlete to All-Star demonstrates why teams still bet on potential, even when the statistics don't completely back up the selection.

The Golden State Warriors' selection of James Wiseman at number two had me nodding in approval initially. At 7'1" with a 7'6" wingspan, he seemed like the perfect modern big man who could run the floor and protect the rim. I remember texting my colleague that night saying "This is the missing piece for Golden State's next championship run." How wrong I was. Wiseman's development has been hampered by injuries and fit issues, playing only 57 games across three seasons before being traded to Detroit. Sometimes the physical tools are there, but the situation just doesn't work out—a reminder that draft success depends as much on environment as it does on talent.

What fascinated me most about LaMelo Ball going third to Charlotte was how polarizing he was as a prospect. The basketball world was divided between those who saw him as a flashy passer with questionable decision-making and those who recognized his genius. I fell into the latter camp, having watched him dominate in Australia's NBL with the Illawarra Hawks where he put up 17 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. His Rookie of the Year campaign and subsequent All-Star selection have validated Charlotte's gamble, proving that sometimes the most unconventional players can become franchise cornerstones. The Hornets haven't made the deep playoff runs yet, but Ball's individual brilliance makes them must-watch television every night.

Looking back at that draft class now, what strikes me is how the pandemic-affected process created unique challenges. Normally, teams would have conducted extensive in-person workouts and interviews at combines held in places like the Philsports Arena. Instead, they had to rely more on game tape and virtual meetings, which I believe led to some teams overlooking gems. Tyrese Haliburton falling to twelfth, for instance, was criminal in my opinion. I had him as a top-five talent, and his development into an All-Star with Indiana has proven that the traditional draft evaluation process needs serious updating.

The impact of these players extends beyond individual statistics. Edwards has Minnesota thinking championship contention, Ball has given Charlotte a true superstar, and even later picks like Desmond Bane (30th) have become foundational pieces for their teams. Bane's transformation from a supposed limited shooter to a 23.7 points per game scorer for Memphis exemplifies why the draft remains the most cost-effective way to build a contender. I've always argued that championship teams are built through the draft, not free agency, and the 2020 class reinforces that belief.

Three years later, I'm still analyzing how these careers will unfold. The true measure of a draft class comes after players sign their second contracts, when we see who becomes eligible for the supermax and who gets relegated to role player status. My prediction? This class will produce at least four All-NBA players when it's all said and done, with Edwards leading the way as a potential MVP candidate within the next five years. The 2020 draft may have been unconventional in its execution, but its impact on the league's landscape will be felt for the next decade, shaping championship races and franchise trajectories in ways we're only beginning to understand.