While it’s generally impossible to determine the best and worst picks of a given NBA draft without the benefit of a few years of hindsight, we want you to try your hand at naming this year’s winners and losers, less than 24 hours after this year’s 60 picks were made.
[RELATED: 2020 NBA Draft Results]
After weeks of speculation about movement near the top of the draft, the start of the night was awfully quiet, with no picks in the first half of the first round on the move. That left the Timberwolves to select Anthony Edwards at No. 1, the Warriors to claim James Wiseman at No. 2, and the Hornets to nab LaMelo Ball at No. 3.
It was a busy night for all three of those teams — Minnesota made two more first-round picks, securing Leandro Bolmaro at No. 23 and Jaden McDaniels at No. 28. Golden State may have gotten a steal at No. 48, landing a player (Nico Mannion) who was widely viewed as a potential first-round pick. As for the Hornets, they picked up three intriguing college prospects in the second round — Vernon Carey Jr. at No. 32, Nick Richards at No. 42, and Grant Riller at No. 56.
If you’re not particularly high on the work done by the top three teams, how about the Wizards or Kings, who each drafted a player who slipped in the lottery? Washington unexpectedly grabbed Deni Avdija at No. 9, while Sacramento was able to take Tyrese Haliburton without moving up from No. 12.
Elsewhere in the lottery, the Suns made an unexpected pick for a second consecutive year, nabbing Jalen Smith at No. 10. They caught plenty of flak a year ago for picking Cameron Johnson at No. 11, but Johnson had a solid rookie season in Phoenix. Will the Smith pick work out for them?
How about the Bulls‘ pick of Patrick Williams at No. 4? The draft class was widely considered to have a first tier made up of Edwards, Wiseman, and Ball, but it wasn’t until this week that the idea of Williams becoming the next player off the board really gained traction. Was that a reach by new president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas or will his first draft pick in Chicago end up looking savvy?
It was also an eventful evening in Detroit, where the Pistons drafted Killian Hayes (No. 7), Isaiah Stewart (No. 16), and Saddiq Bey (No. 19) in the top 20, then grabbing Saben Lee (No. 38) in round two. The Mavericks were active too, picking up Josh Green (No. 18), Tyrell Terry (No. 31), and Tyler Bey (No. 36).
What do you think? Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts on the 2020 NBA draft results!
For context I went back to the 2019 draft to see how “experts” rated the Miami Heat drafting Tyler Herro….. the “experts” rated the pick anywhere from a C+ to a D- saying the Heat reached on a player that would probably never see the floor. Again… for context
It’s a shooters league now. That’s why Tatum is having a better career than Fultz and Ball. There will be a guy taken outside the top 10 that makes everybody look dumb for not taking him.
Mark my words…
IT WILL BE TYRESE HALIBURTON
I agree on Haliburton and I’ll add Maxey as well
Aaron Nesmith is the best pure shooter in the draft. However, Boston blew the rest of their draft. They reached at 26 for a 2nd round talent and gave up the last pick of the first round rather than drafting one of their biggest needs in Oturu (PF/C). Ainge has lost his touch as GM.
What’s your point? You expect every expert to pick and project every player dead on? Get real, sorry your new favourite player wasn’t projected to become what he has. Were you just waiting for this to come out so you can turn the conversation in a pointless direction? Grow up
All I hear is Caliendo channelling his inner Kiper “Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd” or “indubitably” as Stephen B Smith when someone talks about experts projecting these guys.
the point was… these people all talk out of their butts lol…. Rui Hachimura was also called a horrible pick… Herro was just the most glaring.
I thought the Mavs (Adding defense and shooting at good value), Grizzlies (Steal in Bane), and Hornets (LaMelo falling in their laps) had the best nights. Pistons completely retooled and did well. The 76ers did an amazing job of fixing previous mistakes. I don’t really understand the Suns pick and I though the Bucks could’ve done better (I like Nwora though). Nuggets did well scooping RJ. I thought Minnesota improved their roster and felt like the Knicks were decisive.
Hawks picking up Onyeka was nice too.