2020 NBA re-draft: The way it should have been

Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 1
Career earnings: $86,447,537
Career stats: 23.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.2 apg, 44.6 FG%, 36.4 3P%

The actual No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft retains his spot in our re-draft, and the decision was a very easy one. Anthony Edwards is the best shooting guard in the NBA today, a throwback slashing two-guard with pull-up scoring ability from the midrange, Edwards also started launching threes at a career-high rate this past season, and with good success, as Edwards sank nearly 40 percent of his triples on over 10 nightly attempts. Edwards has also proven to be a winning player, getting the Minnesota Timberwolves to back-to-back Western Conference Finals.

Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 12
Career earnings: $60,055,395
Career stats: 17.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 8.8 apg, 47.7 FG%, 39.2 3P%

Tyrese Haliburton has, without a doubt, silenced his naysayers with his 2024-25 playoff run, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot and getting the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals, where he even hit one of the biggest shots in NBA history with his Game 1 game-winning jumper. Haliburton’s got a funky game, but there’s no question it’s extremely effective. From the No. 12 pick to the No. 2 pick in this re-draft, the Pacers deserve so much credit for picking up the now-back-to-back All-NBAer in their trade with the Sacramento Kings.

Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 21
Career earnings: $47,299,560
Career stats: 19.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.4 apg, 46.1 FG%, 38.1 3P%

Another non-Top 10 pick to make a leap into the Top 3, Tyrese Maxey has proven to be an excellent pick for the Philadelphia 76ers, who nabbed him 21st overall in 2020. The four players selected just ahead of Maxey? Aleksej Pokusevski (no longer in the NBA), Josh Green, Saddiq Bey and Precious Achiuwa. Maxey has one All-Star appearance under his belt already, and, still just 24, has the potential to take another leap into that All-NBA strata over the years to come.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 3
Career earnings: $70,743,275
Career stats: 21.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 7.4 apg, 42.1 FG%, 36.5 3P%

The No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft falls just one spot to No. 4 in our re-draft. LaMelo Ball has had moments where he looked like he could even go No. 1 in a re-draft exercise. After all, he was an All-Star by his second season. But since then, Ball has played in just 36, 22, and 47 games, respectively, which has totally stunted his growth as a player. A flashy playmaker with bombastic scoring ability from all over the floor, it will be important to see Ball stay healthy first and foremost. Even so, he’s shown enough to still go Top 5 in our re-draft despite all his injury troubles.

Matthew Smith-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 30
Career earnings: $43,950,173
Career stats: 17.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 47.2 FG%, 41.0 3P%

From barely a first-round pick to going Top 5 in our re-draft, Desmond Bane has enjoyed a great start to his career, especially relative to expectations. Bane was thought of as a three-point specialist as a draft prospect, but in reality, he wound up developing as a three-level scorer with crafty pull-up shooting ability from the midrange, as well as a good rebounder and playmaker for his position. Bane has been so good that even with star point guard Ja Morant in and out of the lineup for one reason or another over recent years, Bane has kept the Memphis Grizzlies not only afloat, but competitive in a tough Western Conference.

Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 28
Career earnings: $33,108,121
Career stats: 10.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 48.2 FG%, 34.8 3P%

This is where you can start to see how mediocre the 2020 draft class was outside of the top few guys, as Jaden McDaniels checks in at No. 6 in our re-draft. That’s not to knock McDaniels at all, as the former No. 28 pick is an excellent defender on the wing who can guard multiple positions at a high level thanks to his length and lateral quickness. But there’s no question he’s a 3-and-D role player with just a small bit of scoring ability as a slasher, without upside to be much more than that in the future.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 9
Career earnings: $35,966,348
Career stats: 11.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 46.2 FG%, 33.7 3P%

After a slow start to his career with the Washington Wizards, swingman Deni Avdija has really started to come on over recent years, averaging 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists on 49.1 percent shooting since 2023-24, with one campaign taking place in Washington and the most recent taking place as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. Avdija has great size for a wing, as well as good toughness both on the glass and defensively. The 24-year-old is turning into a bit of a do-everything two-way forward, the type who is well-suited to thrive in the modern NBA. If Avdija continues to develop like this, don’t be surprised to see him take another leap in future re-drafts.

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 25
Career earnings: $43,303,948
Career stats: 14.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, 42.1 FG%, 37.5 3P%

A crafty scoring guard with three-level bucket-getting to his game, as well as some playmaking, the quick and elusive Immanuel Quickley has vastly outplayed his actual draft positioning, No. 25 overall back in 2020. Quickley has a quick crossover and stop-on-a-dime scoring ability from three and the midrange. The former Kentucky guard is also a very adept shooter from the outside, making him a great modern combo guard who can be relied upon for timely buckets, i.e., not the type of player you can usually pick up late in the first round.

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 26
Career earnings: $17,146,146
Career stats: 9.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 45.4 FG%, 39.9 3P%

The reigning Sixth Man of the Year and a former NBA champion, many questioned the Boston Celtics when they signed Payton Pritchard to a four-year, $30 million extension in 2023. But the re-signing proved to be extremely savvy for Boston, as Pritchard has blossomed into a double-digit scorer, an excellent outside shooter (even off the dribble) and a good playmaker. Of course, for a player who has started in just 17 NBA games through five career seasons to go Top 10 in a re-draft says something about the strength of the 2020 class. But even so, Pritchard is one of the most impactful bench players in the NBA today, so he certainly earned his spot in this re-draft.

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 11
Career earnings: $47,941,325
Career stats: 14.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 44.4 FG%, 36.9 3P%

Were Devin Vassell not plagued by consistent minor injury troubles – the former Florida State standout has only played in roughly 74 percent of his possible career appearances so far through five seasons – he might rank higher on this list, as Vassell has very good size and length for a 2-guard. He also has the ability to rise on jumpers and use his long arms to knock down shots even over good defending. Vassell’s ability to hit tough middies is not all that common, and it’s possible that if he is able to stay healthy, he might take a little leap in 2025-26, and thus, in our next re-draft exercise.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Actual position: No. 6
Career earnings: $40,422,143
Career stats: 9.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 61.4 FG%, 32.2 3P%

Five seasons in and former USC Trojan Onyeka Okongwu finally started to somewhat find his footing this past season as a potential starter in the NBA. Okongwu has some versatility with his face-up driving ability, as well as his lateral quickness on the defensive end. Perhaps next season for Atlanta, Okongwu will be able to establish himself as the team’s full-time starter down low.

Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 15
Career earnings: $28,787,971
Career stats: 12.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.8 apg, 41.9 FG%, 34.5 3P%

A bit of a shot-chucker who can get hot on occasion, Cole Anthony just averaged a career-low in points at 9.4 per game. Anthony’s not the most efficient shooter nor a great finisher down low, but he can get hot from time to time and have a random scoring explosion here and there. All in all, Anthony’s output so far in the NBA has been about as expected for someone drafted where he was.

Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 14
Career earnings: $27,528,217
Career stats: 8.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.1 apg, 46.3 FG%, 38.5 3P%

Quietly one of the better role-playing wings in the Eastern Conference, Aaron Nesmith is an awesome defender on the wing, a good slasher, an underrated three-point shooter and overall, a player who makes his team better during his time on the floor. Nesmith made the Pacers 9.3 points per 100 possessions better during his time on the floor, and played a huge part in the team’s run to the Finals.

Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 49
Career earnings: $19,241,269
Career stats: 7.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.1 apg, 43.1 FG%, 40.2 3P%

Squarely a role-playing shooting specialist, Isaiah Joe has been good enough as an outside shooter to fly up this re-draft. After going 49th overall, we have him 13th overall in this re-draft, and with good reason, as Joe is knocking down an impressive 41.2 percent from three over the past three seasons on 5.4 nightly attempts. What does it say about the 2020 draft that a player averaging under eight points per game for their career is still going in the lottery here?

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 8
Career earnings: $35,093,492
Career stats: 8.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 52.3 FG%, 35.5 3P%

Another role player going in the first half of the first round in this re-draft, Obi Toppin is an explosive, albeit undersized, power forward who can also space the floor a bit from three. Now on his second team since being drafted, Toppin helped Indiana make a Finals run by never trying to do too much but doing the small things well for the Pacers.

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Actual position: No. 16
Career earnings: $30,098,193
Career stats: 8.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 50.7 FG%, 34.5 3P%

Best known for being an enforcer with an uncanny ability to stir things up and get into scuffles at the first sight of opposing aggression, as an actual basketball player, Isaiah Stewart is fairly solid, as he’s a big man who can set strong screens, rebound a bit on both ends, space the floor from three and block some shots. He might rank higher in this re-draft if he didn’t just have a down 2024-25, but even so, he’s certainly lived up to his draft position.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $14,341,103
Career stats: 8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 45.6 FG%, 30.2 3P%

The 2020 draft didn’t even have many interesting undrafted stories. Naji Marshall is one of them, however, as the former Xavier standout went from draft snub in 2020 to starting games as a 27-year-old in the NBA this past season. Marshall just had his most productive NBA season, putting up 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists on nearly 51 percent shooting from the floor, solid marks for a formerly undrafted player.

Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 5
Career earnings: $39,268,500
Career stats: 8.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 46.7 FG%, 35.1 3P%

Isaac Okoro went Top 5 in the 2020 draft thanks to his elite defensive potential and his slashing and driving ability. Well, he hasn’t quite panned out, at least not at the level expected of a Top 5 pick. Okoro’s lack of size has hurt him in the NBA as a defender and as a rim-attacker, and he hasn’t been able to make up for it with his three-point shooting, which, in fairness, has been better than expected.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Actual position: No. 4
Career earnings: $50,101,641
Career stats: 9.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 45.2 FG%, 39.2 3P%

Another huge letdown from the Top 5 of the 2020 class, Patrick Williams has very poor feel for the game, which just hasn’t improved even with more and more game action in the NBA over the past five years. Williams is a decent three-point shooter, at least, but he’s got little offensive game outside of spot-up jumpers, and he even struggles to dunk the ball at times. Williams is also a bit slow-footed on defense, so he doesn’t even really shine on that end of the floor.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Actual position: No. 19
Career earnings: $19,470,981
Career stats: 14.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 40.8 FG%, 35.2 3P%

An average spot-up shooter who can do some scoring off-the-dribble from the midrange, and as a slasher, Saddiq Bey would be enjoying an even better NBA career if he were a more consistent from beyond the arc. His lack of consistency from three, however, has hampered his career thus far in the Association, when he could have been a more solid 3-and-D threat.

Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Actual position: No. 41
Career earnings: $23,198,912
Career stats: 8.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.7 apg, 48.8 FG%, 31.1 3P%

Much like his older brother Tyus, Tre Jones is a safe floor general who has a great assist-to-turnover ratio, but that’s really because he doesn’t take many risks with the ball in his hands. For a backup point guard in the NBA that may be all right, but Jones’ game won’t cut it for a starter in the league. Jones can also do some scoring off the dribble from the midrange, but his lack of three-point shooting hurts his nightly impact.

Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 18
Career earnings: $26,292,340
Career stats: 6.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.5 apg, 48.2 FG%, 38.0 3P%

Drafted as a 20-year-old project who had upside thanks to his slashing ability and athleticism, Josh Green hasn’t lived up to his upside quite just yet, as he is coming off a campaign in which he averaged 7.4 points. Green did well to improve on a weakness of his coming out of college, his outside shooting, but the rest of his game hasn’t come together yet, which is concerning considering he’s now 24.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Actual position: No. 52
Career earnings: $14,104,593
Career stats: 8.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 54.5 FG%, 32.9 3P%

A slashing wing with some rebounding chops, KJ Martin, the son of 2000 No. 1 pick Kenyon Martin, has outplayed his status as a former second-round pick, as the California native is at least still in the NBA, which a lot of other former late second-round picks cannot say. But he hasn’t developed into much besides a decent energy role player. Martin did have one solid season back in 2022-23, averaging 12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds, but that looks more like a flash in the pan in hindsight, especially considering he did it on a 22-60 Houston Rockets team.

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 60
Career earnings: $7,684,044
Career stats: 6.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 40.5 FG%, 38.6 3P%

The last pick of the second round of the 2020 draft, Sam Merrill has had a pretty solid career for a Mr. Irrelevant, trucking along in the NBA to this day thanks to his outside spot-up shooting prowess. Merrill is hitting 38.8 percent of his threes over the past two seasons, and has played a solid role in the Cleveland Cavaliers winning 112 regular-season games over those two regular seasons as a shooting specialist.

Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 42
Career earnings: $14,300,602
Career stats: 7.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.6 apg, 64.0 FG%, 20.0 3P%

A bouncy big man near the basket with very good finishing ability near the rim, Nick Richards is an athletic 7-footer who can throw it down with ease, making him an excellent lob threat out of the pick-and-roll. Richards even got a chance as the Phoenix Suns’ starting center for the second half of this past season, though that wound up not going great for Phoenix, as the team missed the playoffs. Richards did all right as a starter, averaging 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds on 60-plus percent shooting over 36 games.

David Richard-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 2
Career earnings: $41,857,531
Career stats: 9.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.7 apg, 56.0 FG%, 26.2 3P%

The actual No. 2 pick from the 2020 draft, James Wiseman is lucky this was such a weak class, or he likely would have gone unselected in our re-draft. Despite his excellent size and athleticism, Wiseman has struggled mightily in the NBA so far, although many pundits did believe him to be a risky pick due to his only playing three games in college. Still, not many could have expected he’d be averaging under 10 points and six rebounds for his career through five seasons. To make matters worse, Wiseman blew out his Achilles five minutes into his 2024-25 debut in Indiana, so who knows how he’ll look next time we see him on the hardwood.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 20
Career earnings: $18,513,126
Career stats: 7.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.0 apg, 48.4 FG%, 30.4 3P%

The Miami Heat passed on Maxey with the 20th pick in the 2022 draft, choosing instead to draft Precious Achiuwa despite already having a star in Bam Adebayo down low. In hindsight, obviously, that was a mistake, although he is at least still in the NBA getting nightly minutes. Achiuwa lacks skill as an outside shooter and is thin, which hurts him when setting screens and on the glass, but he can do some scoring on put-backs and cuts off the ball.

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 58
Career earnings: $15,648,668
Career stats: 4.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.8 apg, 54.8 FG%, 30.5 3P%

A role-playing big man, Paul Reed had a spell where he was a fan favorite in Philadelphia thanks to the energy he brought. But overall, he’s fairly limited due to his size and lack of shooting, so to keep his NBA career going, he’ll have to keep up his energetic style of play on the glass.

Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Actual position: No. 35
Career earnings: $8,768,974
Career stats: 5.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 apg, 50.9 FG%, 25.2 3P%

Another energy big man on the glass who lacks size and skill as a shooter, Xavier Tillman remains in the NBA thanks to his rebounding more than anything, as the stout frontcourt player can really move foes around with his strength.

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $6,792,956
Career stats: 5.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.6 apg, 46.3 FG%, 28.7 3P%

From undrafted to the last pick of our first-round re-draft, Lamar Stevens had a 19-game stretch in Memphis in which he averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 2023-24. But overall, he’s had a quiet time in the Association, needing a 10-day contract to resuscitate his NBA career in 2024-25. Regardless, Stevens has some ability as an undersized power forward with some scoring chops.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Naji Marshall: From undrafted to No. 17
Lamar Stevens: From undrafted to No. 30
Isaiah Joe: From No. 49 to No. 13
Sam Merrill: From No. 60 to No. 24
Paul Reed: From No. 58 to No. 28
KJ Martin: From No. 52 to No. 23
Desmond Bane: From No. 30 to No. 5
Jaden McDaniels: From No. 28 to No. 6
Tre Jones: From No. 41 to No. 21
Tyrese Maxey: From No. 21 to No. 3
Nick Richards: From No. 42 to No. 25
Immanuel Quickley: From No. 25 to No. 9
Payton Pritchard: From No. 26 to No. 10

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Killian Hayes: No. 7
Jalen Smith: No. 10
Kira Lewis: No. 13
Aleksej Pokusevski: No. 17
Zeke Nnaji: No. 22
Leandro Bolmaro: No. 23
RJ Hampton: No. 24
Udoka Azubuike: No. 27
Malachi Flynn: No. 29