When Zion Williamson went first overall in the 2019 NBA draft, it came as no surprise — he had been considered the top prospect in last year’s class for months, well before we knew which team would get the No. 1 pick. For the most part, the same can be said of other recent top picks like Anthony Davis (2012), Karl-Anthony Towns (2015), and perhaps even Markelle Fultz (2017).
On the other hand, some drafts have two or three prospects in the top tier. A number of draft experts believed Luka Doncic should be picked ahead of Deandre Ayton in 2018. In 2016, the debate over the No. 1 pick was between Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram.
The 2020 draft class, however, looks most similar to 2013’s group. That year, Nerlens Noel, Alex Len, Ben McLemore, and Victor Oladipo were among the many players considered candidates to be drafted first overall. The Cavaliers didn’t take anyone from that group, opting instead for Anthony Bennett.
2020’s similarities to 2013’s draft class doesn’t mean that this year’s first overall pick will have a Bennett-esque NBA career, but so far, we have little clarity on which player might be the first one off the board. LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards, Obi Toppin, and Killian Hayes are among the players who have shown up atop various experts’ draft rankings, with no consensus on which player most NBA teams favor.
In an attempt to gauge which way NBA teams are leaning, Jeff Goodman of Stadium anonymously polled 35 team executives and found that 20 of them picked Wiseman as the top player in this year’s class. Of course, the big man played just three games for Memphis in the fall before leaving the program due to eligibility issues, so evaluators and scouts didn’t get much of a look at him at the college level. And even those that NBA execs who favor Wiseman don’t sound particularly enthusiastic about their choice.
“I wouldn’t even want the No. 1 pick,” one NBA general manager told Goodman. “If I have it, I’m trying like hell to trade it.”
“It’s not an easy decision,” another GM offered. “(But) even though the NBA doesn’t value bigs like it used to, there just aren’t a lot of seven-footers who can run and jump like Wiseman can out there.”
While Wiseman received the majority of the votes in Goodman’s poll, Edwards (10 votes), Ball (four), and Toppin (one) also had supporters. The only real consensus? It won’t be an easy decision for whichever team wins this year’s draft lottery.
“This is an underwhelming draft at the top,” one high-ranking executive told Goodman. “It’s as difficult for the No. 1 pick as I’ve seen in a long time.”
This year’s top choice may ultimately come down to the specific needs and preferences of the team that wins the lottery. But in our poll today, we want you to put positional needs aside and assume all other factors are equal. In that scenario, which of this year’s prospects would you be most comfortable drafting first overall?
Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to weigh in with your thoughts!
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
I’m wise so I chose another wiseman
I think when all is said and done Toppin and Avedija are going to have the best careers in this draft class-
Doesnt mean they should go 1/2 but I can see a team jumping up into the 5-10 range aggresively for 1 of these guys if still there at that point
1) Wiseman
2) LaMelo
3) Avdija
4) Cole Anthony
Really? No Anthony Edwards???
1. Avdija
2. Edwards
3. Melo
4. Wiseman (if anyone still values non stretch 5s)
5. Toppin
Toppin is like a 19yo based on experience as a multidimensional top-drawer threat, but so what. Not many players stay with their drafting team their whole career, and whoever picks him will get his prime.
His flaws can sound like assets. He’s a tweener, but if he wasn’t, he would be said to be old-fashioned. Bigs cannot win anymore unless they can step way outside and hit and pass and be quick about it, such as.
Probably Edwards will go first though, due to being the most sure thing.
Wiseman is most talented. This is what happens when your top talent. Are all 19 yr olds. They don’t even know how to shave right yet. Zion, Bron don’t come every yr. In the days when seniors or even juniors only came out. Their bodies where pretty much there. Science says physically you’re still growing till 21. The you have like this yr. 19 yr olds who are more on potential than accomplishments. Edwards has the body and size now. But his head and gm. Are not there yet. LaMello has size n length for position. But body is not ready nor is his D. Toppin is most ready. Probably will be ROY. Like old days. A 22 yr old can step in. Win ROY and be an all star. Very rarely now. So your scouting better know what they are doing. The Warriors are aWin now team. This will play into pick. Wiseman is a C with PF skills. You don’t see that often. He may take a few yrs for full Impact. Look at what Ayton did his last gms. When he came back. As 21 yr old in second yr Ayton was 19 pts, 12 reb, in 31.5 mins a gm. This seems a gd yr to draft for need. It would be unwise to pass on Wiseman. As Knick fan. I take him with first pick. Then trade Mitch .
Anthony Edwards probably has the most potential, but he comes with a ton of questions as it relates to if he’ll realize it.
I voted for Hayes because I think he’ll be a good NBA player. He maybe doesn’t have the ceiling of some of these other guys, but I like his floor. In a weak draft, he feels somewhat safe.