2020 NBA Re-Draft

I don’t have much of an intro for this one but let’s re-draft the 2020 NBA Draft. One memory of the 2020 draft is it was the COVID draft so it did not take place at the Barclays Center as every other recent draft did. The picks will be made by the team whose hat the player wore when drafted. For example, while the 16th pick Isaiah Stewart ended up a Detroit Piston, since Portland had the pick when they selected, they will make the pick here.

1. Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards

The number 1 pick in the real draft, is the number 1 pick in the re-draft. Edwards has been better than any of us thought he would be and the Timberwolves should be in contention, so long he remains on the team.

Original: Anthony Edwards

2. Warriors: Tyrese Haliburton

Originally the 11th pick, Haliburton went later in this draft than many expected him to and he has been better than anyone thought possible. How different would the future of the Warriors look had they taken Hali (or even LaMelo Ball) over James Wiseman?

Original: James Wiseman

3. Hornets: Tyrese Maxey

The LaMelo Ball era in Charlotte is over, if they had taken Maxey here, he would still be a Hornet. Tyrese Maxey was the 21st pick and is only a Sixer thanks to a Mike Muscala game winner in the bubble. He is their franchise player even with the Jaylen Brown and LeBron James additions.

Original: LaMelo Ball

4. Bulls: Deni Avdija

Avdija has broken out over the past few years with the Portland Trail Blazers. His passing and scoring have really popped over the past 2 seasons with the Blazers. He was an All-Star this past season and is a key building block for Portland’s future.

Original: Patrick Willams

5. Cavaliers: LaMelo Ball

Ball ends up at 5 in our re-draft. He is a great but flawed player, an offensive engine who does too many things that make you want to pull your hair out per game. I liked the Wolves' trade to get him and think he will really help them this season but I am sure he will frustrate their fans.

Original: Issac Okoro

6. Hawks: Desmond Bane

Where would the Orlando Magic have been last season without Desmond Bane? He saved them so many times and was a big reason they were able to sneak into the playoffs. An elite three point shooter, Bane has shown to be a really good NBA player after being the 30th pick.

Original: Onyeka Okongwu

7. Pistons: Jaden McDaniels

The 20’s had some really good players in this draft and McDaniels is another example of that. An elite defensive player, McDaniels has started to show off his offensive game over the past few seasons and is a key part of the Timberwolves going forward.

Original: Killian Hayes

8. Knicks: Payton Pritchard

Pritchard has broken out over the past few seasons and has become one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He seems ready to grab the full time point guard role in Boston as they move on from Jaylen Brown, I think he will average over 20 points per game next season.

Original: Obi Toppin

9. Wizards: Devin Vassell

Vassell became a key part of the Spurs Finals run, in large part due to his elite three point shot. He is one of my favorite guys in the league, he can play off the bounce and get to the cup with his defense is pretty good as well.

Original: Deni Avdija

10. Suns: Immanuel Quickley

Quickley is a high level scorer whose passing has improved over the past couple of years. He is bad defensively but that is typical for a 6 foot 2 point guard. He proved to be missed by the Raptors in last year’s playoffs when he missed their first round loss.

Original: Jalen Smith

11. Spurs: Onyeka Okongwu

Onyeka Okongwu showed that he is a high level starting caliber center last year for the Hawks. His three point shooting and paint defense are 2 of the best tools a center can have and he does both very well. He will anchor what should be a very good Hawks defense this season.

Original: Devin Vassell

12. Kings: Naji Marshall

Marshall went undrafted in this draft and was signed by New Orleans. However, he has really blossomed since signing with the Mavericks. It is the defensive end where Marshall really makes his name known and he should continue to do that over the next few years.

Original: Tyrese Haliburton

13. Pelicans: Aaron Nesmith

It was a slow start to the career of Aaron Nesmith, who struggled to get off the bench for the Celtics. However since the trade to the Pacers, Nesmith has really popped. A very good 3 and D player, Nesmith will be key to the Pacers as they look to get back to the NBA Finals.

Original: Kira Lewis Jr.

14. Celtics: Sam Merrill

The last pick of this draft, his three point shot is where Merrill makes a name for himself. He also had a slow start to his career but shot a career high 42% from deep last season and will look to build on that next season.

Original: Aaron Nesmith

15. Magic: Isaiah Joe

A trade this summer has Joe with the Pistons after breaking out with the Thunder over the past few seasons. He will look to be the elite shooter that Detroit needs going forward.

Original: Cole Anthony

16. Trail Blazers: Obi Toppin

Toppin showed some flashes with the Knicks but a trade to the Pacers is really where Toppin was able to blossom. He was key in their trip to the 2025 NBA Finals

Original: Isaiah Stewart

17. Timberwolves: Isaiah Stewart

Beef Stew has proven to be a capable backup center over the past few seasons with the Pistons. He will look to continue that with the Grizzlies after an offseason trade.

Original: Alekesj Pokusevski

18. Mavericks: Saddiq Bey

Bey had a hot start to his career but a torn ACL and rough stint with the Hawks slowed him down. He had a good year with the Pelicans last season and will look to build off of that.

Original: Josh Green

19. Nets: Tre Jones

Jones has shown himself to be a very capable backup point guard. Acquired by the Bulls in the De’Aaron Fox, Zach LaVine trade, Jones will be important to a Chicago team that is looking to improve this season.

Original: Saddiq Bey

20. Heat: Jalen Smith

Smith had his 3rd year option declined after being the 10th pick in the draft but has played well since that point. A good three point shooting center, he will be Nic Claxton’s backup with the Bulls this season.

Original: Precious Achiuwa

21. Sixers: Paul Reed

Bball Paul struggled to find his footing as Joel Embiid’s backup but played really well with the Pistons last year. With Isaiah Stewart gone, Reed will be Jalen Duren’s primary backup this season.

Original: Tyrese Maxey

22. Nuggets: Isaac Okoro

The 5th pick in the draft, defense has never been the concern for Okoro, he is very good on that end. The question will always be if he can find that three point shot, which he has yet to consistently.

Original: Zeke Nnaji

23. Knicks: Vit Krejci

I am a Krejci fan. It took him a while to find his NBA footing but he did so over the past few years with the Hawks and Blazers. His ability to play off the bounce is the best part of his game.

Original: Leandro Bolmaro

24. Bucks: Josh Green

Josh Green has bounced around the league a bit and has yet to pop in the league. He had a limited role for the Hornets last season but shot 42% from three.

Original: R.J. Hampton

25. Thunder: Precious Achiuwa

Like many of the other guys drafted around here, Achiuwa has bounced around the league a bit since being drafted by the Heat. However, he had the best year of his career for the Kings last year, averaging 10.2 points per game.

Original: Immanuel Quickley

26. Celtics: Zeke Nnaji

Nnaji has some good size to him. He is on a contract the Nuggets have not been able to trade but every now and then he will find himself back in Denver’s rotation.

Original: Payton Pritchard

27. Jazz: Xavier Tillman

Tillman started playoff games for the 2023 Grizzlies in the playoffs and hit a key three pointer in the 2024 NBA Finals for the Celtics. Knee injuries have since caught up with him and he signed overseas this summer.

Original: Udoka Azubuike

28. Lakers: Patrick Williams

At some point, you run out of guys still in the NBA and while his contract is the only thing keeping him in the league, Patrick Williams is still in the NBA.

Original: Jaden McDaniels

29. Raptors: Cole Anthony

Anthony showed he can score the ball but other than that he isn’t very good. He is another guy who signed overseas this summer.

Original: Malachi Flynn

30. Celtics: Lindy Waters III

Originally undrafted, Lindy Waters has bounced around the league but has shown he can make a three pointer in a pinch.

Original: Desmond Bane