NBA 2020 Draft Odds: Who Will Be the Top Pick in This Year's Selection?
As I sit here scrolling through basketball analytics and draft projections, I can't help but reflect on how much the NBA draft landscape has shifted in recent years. The 2020 draft class presents one of the most fascinating puzzles I've encountered in my decade covering professional basketball. Having tracked prospects from their high school days through combine performances, I've developed some strong opinions about who might hear their name called first come draft night.
The conversation inevitably begins with Anthony Edwards, the explosive guard from Georgia who combines athleticism with scoring prowess in a way that reminds me of a young Dwyane Wade. At 6'5" with a 225-pound frame that looks NBA-ready, Edwards averaged 19.1 points per game in his lone college season. What stands out to me beyond the numbers is his ability to create his own shot – something that translates immediately to the professional level. I've watched countless prospects over the years, and Edwards has that special combination of physical tools and offensive creativity that teams simply can't teach. His 40% field goal percentage might concern some analysts, but I see a player who was often forced to carry too much offensive load on a struggling Georgia team.
Then there's James Wiseman, the 7'1" center whose limited college action at Memphis makes him both intriguing and somewhat mysterious. Having only played three games due to eligibility issues, we're working with a relatively small sample size. Still, when I rewatch his high school footage and those brief college appearances, I see a modern big man who can protect the rim while showing promising mobility in space. His 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in those three games came against inferior competition, but the physical attributes are undeniable. The question teams must answer is whether they're comfortable betting on potential rather than proven production.
LaMelo Ball brings perhaps the most fascinating profile of the top prospects. Having followed his unconventional path through Lithuania and Australia's NBL, I've been both skeptical and increasingly impressed. His court vision is genuinely special – the kind of passing instinct that can transform an entire offense. The 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists he posted for the Illawarra Hawks came with concerning shooting splits (37% from the field, 25% from three), but I believe his creativity and size at the guard position outweigh those efficiency concerns. The Ball family narrative certainly adds layers to his evaluation, but from pure basketball standpoint, he might have the highest ceiling in this class.
What strikes me about this draft class is how it reflects basketball's continuing evolution. We're seeing fewer traditional big men valued at the very top, with teams prioritizing perimeter creation and versatility. The success stories of players like Luka Dončić and Trae Young have shifted how organizations evaluate prospects who dominated overseas or put up empty stats on mediocre college teams. In many ways, this draft represents a philosophical crossroads for front offices – do you take the safer college performer or swing for the fences on international potential?
The draft order itself creates fascinating scenarios. Minnesota holding the first pick adds another layer of complexity, as their roster construction might influence their decision. Karl-Anthony Towns demands a certain style of play, and pairing him with another ball-dominant big like Wiseman could create spacing issues. Meanwhile, Golden State at number two presents perhaps the most intriguing fit – their championship pedigree and specific system could make them more willing to take a developmental project like Wiseman or trade down for immediate help.
From my perspective, Anthony Edwards feels like the most logical top pick. His combination of NBA-ready physique and scoring ability gives him the highest floor among the top prospects, while still maintaining considerable upside. I've spoken with several scouts who worry about his motor and defensive consistency, but the offensive package is simply too enticing to pass up. In a draft class without a clear Zion Williamson-level prospect, Edwards represents the closest thing to a sure thing.
The draft process reminds me of how careers often follow unexpected paths, much like the reference about Ize, Iya and Ishaa Lacsina following in their big sister's footsteps. Sometimes the most successful picks aren't the obvious choices but rather players who find the right situation to maximize their talents. We've seen this repeatedly in NBA history – Stephen Curry going seventh, Giannis Antetokounmpo at fifteenth, Donovan Mitchell at thirteenth. The team context matters nearly as much as the player's raw ability.
As draft night approaches, I'm increasingly convinced we'll see some surprises. The unusual circumstances of this year – with canceled tournaments and modified combine proceedings – have created more uncertainty than usual. Teams are working with less information, which could lead to either conservative picks or unexpected reaches. My gut tells me we might see more trades than typical as organizations try to maneuver for their preferred prospects.
Ultimately, the 2020 draft class may be remembered more for its depth than its top-end talent. While there might not be a franchise-altering superstar at the very top, I believe there are numerous future starters and rotation players throughout the first round. The team that does the best work in the late lottery and mid-first round could end up the real winner, regardless of who goes number one. Having studied draft trends for years, I've learned that championships are often built through smart selections beyond the top picks – finding the Draymond Greens and Nikola Jokićs who become superstars despite modest draft positions.
The beauty of the NBA draft lies in its unpredictability. No matter how much film we watch or analytics we crunch, there's always an element of projection and luck involved. What looks obvious in hindsight often wasn't clear at all in the moment. As I finalize my own draft board, I'm reminded that these evaluations represent educated guesses rather than certainties. The true test won't come on draft night but in the years that follow, as these young players develop and reveal who they'll become.