Observations from the 2020 NBA Draft

Villanova Basketball’s Saddiq Bey during a 2019 game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. (Nick Schreder/AKSM Photography).

While there was not as much potential star-power in this year's draft class, there may have been more sleepers past the lottery. With all that said, here are my observations from the 2020 NBA Draft.

Article by Dave Nguyen, AKSM Sports

PHILADELPHIA - For the first time in its history, the NBA Draft was held virtually in 2020 due to COVID-19. With the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament, scouting departments from all 30 NBA teams needed to find other ways of in-depth research in order to have their team prepared for the draft this season. While there was not as much potential star-power in this year's draft class, there may have been more sleepers past the lottery. With all that said, here are my observations from the 2020 NBA Draft.

First Three Picks Go As Expected: Anthony Edwards of Georgia, James Wiseman of Memphis, and Lamello Ball were the top three names that everyone was talking about going into the draft, particularly in the discussion of who should be the first pick overall. At the end of the day, the Timberwolves selected Edwards first overall, seeing the freshman as the best fit around Karl Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russel. Wiseman, despite only playing three games last season, was selected second by the Warriors. This was a no-brainer for the Warriors, who needed someone to protect the rim this season with the absence of Klay Thompson. If Wiseman played a full season, many would argue that he was the best player in the draft. He adds a post threat in addition to his defense, and will be a nice compliment to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Ball was selected third to the Hornets, as Michael Jordan and a staff led by Mitch Kupchak try to replace the production that Kemba Walker had during his time with the Hornets. Charlotte has a lot of young talent on its roster, including Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, and Devontae Graham. Along with the acquisition of Gordon Hayward, Ball's ability to distribute and score the basketball will make the Hornets an exciting team to watch next year.

Sixers and Morey Magic: A few weeks into his job as President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey was able to "wheel and deal" on draft night. The Sixers started the evening by trading Al Horford and his ridiculously overpaid contract to Oklahoma City in exchange for Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson. The 34th pick in this year's draft draft (Theo Maledon) and a 2025 first round pick were also sent to the Thunder as well. With the 21st overall pick, the Sixers selected Kentucky freshman Tyrese Maxey, a player who probably would have been a lottery pick if the NCAA Tournament was played this year. Kentucky head coach John Calapari absolutely loved having Maxey in Lexington, especially with his ability to score in multiple ways. Despite his 29.2 three-point shooting percentage, it shouldn't be weighed as much because he has a knack of scoring in multiple ways, especially getting to the free-throw line making 83.3 percent from the charity stripe. They were able to add Arkansas forward Isiah Joe in the second round, and acquired Seth Curry in a trade, sending Josh Richardson and the 36th pick (Tyler Bey) to the Mavericks. The younger Curry has a career 44.3 shooting percentage from beyond the arc, which is second in NBA history behind Steve Kerr. Both Curry and Danny Green are two of 14 active players who haverge at least 40% from deep, as Morey is sending a clear message that the Sixers roster needs shooting to build around Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

Memphis and Florida State Each Have 2 Players Selected in the 1st Round: If you're Leonard Hamilton and Penny Hardaway, you have to be proud of how well you recruited and coached your team last year. Both Memphis and Florida State had two players selected in the first round on draft night, starting with James Wiseman selected second overall. His teammate Precious Achiuwa was selected 20th overall by the Heat. With the fourth pick overall the Chicago Bulls selected Patrick Williams, high praise for a player who was named ACC Sixth Man of the Year. Seven picks later, Williams' teammate Devin Vassell was selected 11th overall by the Spurs, as Florida State had two players selected in the lottery.

No Blue-Bloods in Lottery: It's hard to believe this statement but it's true: no players from Duke, UNC, Kansas, or Kentucky were drafted in the Lottery. This is the first time this has happened since 2000. Cole Anthony of UNC just missed the lottery by one pick when he was selected 15th overall by the Orlando Magic. The University of Kentucky had a player selected in the lottery in the last 10 seasons, which was the longest streak by any school since the lottery began in 1985.

International Flavor: Throughout this year's draft, there were many players that were selected outside of the United States, as 13 international players selected from 10 different countries. It was highlighted by Killian Hayes, selected seventh overall by the Detroit Pistons, becoming the highest French player ever to be drafted. With the ninth pick in the draft, the Washington Wizards selected Deni Avdija, the highest drafted and second player ever from Israel. In addition to Precious Achiuwa, Kansas center Udoka Azubuike was selected 27th by the Jazz, making it the first time two players from Nigeria were selected in the first round.

Toppin Goes Home: Dayton's Obi Topin, one the nation's best college basketball players last year, was highly coveted by a number of teams. At the end of the day, the New York native is going back to the Big Apple as the Knicks selected him eighth overall. With a 6'9 frame and a 6'10 wingspan, Toppin has the size and ability to make an impact for the Knicks this season.

Buzz Around Haliburton: One of the best prospects heading into this year's draft class was Iowa State sophomore guard Tyrese Haliburton. As a guard he has the versatility to guard both point and shooting guards, with a 6'5 frame and a 6'7.5 wingspan. Offensively he is a playmaker who can score in multiple ways as well as get his teammates involved, as he averaged 15.2 points, 5.9 boards, and 6.2 assists per game last year. With the youth of the Kings, including De'Aaron Fox and his five year $163 million extension, Haliburton playmaking abilities on the court and his high basketball IQ seem to be the perfect fit for the Kings future.

Potential Sleepers: While this draft will be remembered mostly for the top three players selected, there are a few players that were drafted later that have the potential to make an impact in the NBA. Tyrese Maxey was selected 21st overall by the Sixers, has the ability to score at will and is a perfect fit for the likes of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Saddiq Bey, selected 19th overall, was one of the more mature players in this draft, and one of the better 3-and-D prospects as well. The former Villanova star improved his three point shooting in his sophomore season, has the ability to defend wing players at the next level, and Jay Wright has hopes that with his skillset he can be a steal from this year's draft class. Cole Anthony was arguably a top prospect entering his freshman season at UNC, and was hindered by an injury that sidelined him in the beginning of the year. If he doesn't get hurt, he probably would have been a lottery pick and was one pick away from a lottery selection. The Magic will be getting a player who is a leader, and is not afraid to score. His toughness allows him to make tough baskets amongst taller players in the paint while creating his own shot off the dribble. Michigan State stars Xavier Tillman and Cassius WInston were taken towards the end of the second round, and are headed to the NBA with plenty of experience in college. WInston heads to Washington with a decorated NCAA career, with accolades such as Big Ten Player of the Year, a finalist for the Wooden and Naismith awards, and is one of four players in NCAA D-1 History to score at least 1,900 points and record 850 assists. Tillman also had a great career for the Spartans, highlighted by his Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year awards. Last season he averaged a double-double, with 13.7 points and 10.3 boards per game last year, having a knack for being around the basketb on both ends of the floor. He will join former Spartan Jaren Jackson in Memphis to play alongside Ja Morant as the Grizzlies try to build off their season last year in the bubble.