Minnesota Timberwolves: Winner, sort of.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had the first overall pick in this year’s draft.
There was talk in the months preceding the draft that Minnesota would end up packaging the pick for another star to join D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns. But ultimately, they decided to select Anthony Edwards with the #1 overall pick.
The University of Georgia shooting guard is undoubtedly the most talented player in this year’s draft and has a ceiling comparison of Dwayne Wade.
While you can’t go wrong with picking up the draft’s top talent, this move creates what is now a crowded backcourt for Minnesota.
Already having all-star D’Angelo Russell and young players like Josh Okogie and Malik Beasley, who have proven to be developing in a positive direction, Edwards does not fill an apparent need for the Timberwolves.
Additionally, the Timberwolves traded away their 17th pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Ricky Rubio alongside the 25th and 28th picks, which only adds to the chaos beginning to brew at the guard position.
Does this also mean that Minnesota is already moving on from last year’s #6 overall pick, Jarrett Culver? The over-utilization of guards on their roster might hurt them in the long run.
Golden State Warriors: Winner
The Warriors are coming off a 15-50 record last season, their 2nd-worst record in franchise history and worst since they were the Philadelphia Warriors in 1952.
After losing Kevin Durant to free agency and Steph and Klay to injuries, the Warriors positioned themselves to have the #2 overall pick in this year’s draft.
They selected James Wiseman. The Memphis center is an extremely versatile big man that can space the floor, has excellent playmaking and handles for his size, is capable of knocking down mid-range shots, and is an excellent rim protector.
This pick fills a long time need for the Warriors. Even amid their historic title runs, the center position was always something they lacked.
The Warriors needed a premier front-court player, and Wiseman seems to be the player that can fill that role.
Wiseman provides rim protection and versatility that can help the Warriors climb back to the top of the Western Conference next season.
However, with good news comes bad news. Klay Thompson, 3-time NBA Champion and 5-time NBA All-Star, suffered an apparent right leg injury in a workout just hours before the Wiseman pick. The injury was later determined to be a torn Achilles.
This is the worst thing that could happen to a team that was poised for a deep playoff run.
Furthermore, it might completely deter the Warriors’ plan for the 2021 season.
Charlotte Hornets: Loser
While the Hornets did accomplish their goal of replacing Kemba Walker, I’m not sold that LaMelo Ball has the intangibles necessary to become the Hornets franchise player.
While LaMelo is an outstanding playmaker, his effort on defense is questionable. Also, LaMelo is regarded to have a deadly shot from the three-point line, but his time in Australia competing in the NBL ( National Basketball League) tells a different story.
LaMelo Ball shot just 25% from three-point range, which is the same as Russell Westbrook’s last season. Yikes.
His free throw percentage was a mere 72%, and his turnover average per game was alarming at 2.6. Both stats are underwhelming for the point guard position.
If Ball struggled with these issues in a severely less competitive basketball league in Australia, how should we expect him to transition seamlessly to the NBA?
LaMelo has the potential to be a force in this league, he really does. But, he will need a lot of work to do so.
Chicago Bulls: Loser
In one of the more surprising moves in this year’s draft, the Chicago Bulls selected Patrick Williams with the #4 overall pick.
Williams was projected to go anywhere between the 10th and 17th pick, so the Bulls drafting him at #4 was a definite reach.
While I see why the Bulls believe in his ability due to William’s 6’8 stature and his potential to be a 3-and-D guy, they could have gone a better route here considering who was left on the board at that time.
You might have thought the firing of former Bulls’ head coach Jim Boylen meant the beginning of the end of the Bull’s woes, but for now, it seems they will have to wait a little longer.
New York Knicks: Loser
Although my colleague thinks differently, the New York Knicks have once again seemed to fail their fan base.
The Knicks selected Obi Toppin with the #8 overall pick to pair with sophomore R.J. Barrett. But don’t get me wrong. Toppin would be a great contribution to any NBA team.
He has a quick first step, presents an elite vertical lob threat, and is efficient with the ball in his hands, having shot over 60% from the floor his sophomore season at Dayton.
But with Elfrid Payton as the starting point guard, it was imperative to draft the best guard available. At that, this pick is a total discombobulation of logic and reason.
Tyrese Halliburton, who had already slipped in the draft, fell right into your lap, and you didn’t take him?! What the hell could you possibly be thinking if you’re Scott Perry? If I’m a New York Knicks fan, the general manager and his support staff have some explaining to do.
Tyrese Haliburton
The biggest surprise of this year’s draft was the fall of Tyrese Haliburton.
Haliburton, who was projected to be a top-5 pick in the draft, fell all the way to #12.
Haliburton was considered by many to be the fourth-best player available in the draft. The 6-foot-5 guard from Iowa State is an elite prospect who averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 steals for the Cyclones last season. He is a disruptive menace on defense, making him one of the best players in this draft class.
However, many NBA teams seem to disagree.
Many teams passed Haliburton until he was finally drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the #12 overall pick. Quite frankly, the Kings should feel as if they hit the jackpot. Especially since De’Aaron Fox’s future with the team is in jeopardy.
Many teams will resent not drafting Tyrese Haliburton. He truly has the potential to be the best player from this year’s draft.
Conclusion
The 2020 NBA draft did not spare us of its usual excitement. It lived up to the hype. Though unlike last year, it did not feature any generational talent like Zion Williamson or Ja Morant, it was still filled with the raw emotion that NBA fans so eagerly desired.