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Redrafting The 2020 NBA Draft Lottery

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Benjamin Yu | Last updated Nov 20, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Similar to other drafts like 2017 or 2018, the 2020 NBA Draft has turned out plenty of stars and excellent role players. Furthermore, many of these players have also assisted their franchises in postseason success. Now, five seasons out from that draft, here is a redrafting of the 2020 NBA Draft lottery.

Redrafting The 2020 NBA Draft Lottery

Pick #1: Anthony Edwards

Actual Pick: Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards was drafted first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, and his draft position won’t change in this redraft. He has unquestionably been one of the best players from his draft class. Not only that, but he has been one of the best players in the NBA period. As for his accolades specifically, Edwards has made multiple All-Star appearances and two All-NBA teams. Also, Edwards has led his team to multiple playoff appearances, including two Western Conference Finals trips. He has demonstrated himself as an exemplary scoring guard in both the regular season and playoffs. Edwards has become one of the league’s premier shooters, and his ability to be a scoring machine for his team makes him a true first option. Unquestionably, Edwards retains his spot in this redraft.

Pick #2: Tyrese Haliburton

Actual Pick: James Wiseman

One person who makes a major jump from their original draft position is Tyrese Haliburton, moving up 10 spots to two. Haliburton has developed into one of the best young stars in the league. He is also one of the best point guards in the NBA. In the past few years, Haliburton has quarterbacked several incredible offenses and has even led his team to the NBA Finals. Considering the success he has had, Haliburton made multiple All-Star and All-NBA appearances, as well as having an assist title under his belt. Despite his unfortunate Achilles injury, Haliburton has undoubtedly been a major revelation from his draft class.

Pick #3: Tyrese Maxey

Actual Pick: LaMelo Ball

Tyrese Maxey is the second “Tyrese” to have a major jump in this redraft, going from 21 to three. Maxey has developed into one of the quickest and most lethal scorers from his draft class. Weaponizing his speed, Maxey can blow by opponents and knock down shots at a high level. Plus, he has become an impressive playmaker in his own right. The development he made over the years helped him win the Most Improved Player award and make an All-Star appearance in 2024. Like the other talented guards listed above, Maxey is unquestionably one of the best players of his draft class and a rising star in the league.

Pick #4: LaMelo Ball

Actual Pick: Patrick Williams

LaMelo Ball is the first faller in this redraft, but he is still undoubtedly a high-level talent. He has been a great scorer and playmaker at the point guard position right from the start. Outside his rookie year, Ball has averaged at least 20+ points and seven assists per game. His early excellence has led him to be the Rookie Of The Year for his class, and he became an All-Star in his sophomore year. While he has not had the same team success as the other top players in his class, it is hard to deny Ball’s individual success.

Pick #5: Desmond Bane

Actual Pick: Isaac Okoro

The 2020 NBA Draft is full of players from the back half of the first round who have developed themselves into great players. One of those players is Desmond Bane, who moved up 25 spots in this redraft. He earns this jump due to his abilities as a scorer, shooter, and tertiary playmaker. He has been an efficient three-level scorer who’s been one of the league’s better three-point shooters. Plus, he has proven himself as a scorer in multiple playoff runs. Bane will never be a first option in the league, but he has excelled as a high-scoring second or third option.

Pick #6: Jaden McDaniels

Actual Pick: Onyeka Okongwu

Jaden McDaniels has proven himself to be one of the better 3-and-D wings in the league. McDaniels is one of the league’s premier wing defenders who can guard across multiple positions at a high level. His level of defense has been so impressive that McDaniels has even received an All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2024. He is also a solid offensive player who raises his scoring and efficiency in the playoffs. McDaniels has turned himself into the type of player that any team would want on their roster.

Pick #7: Deni Avdija

Actual Pick: Killian Hayes

Apr 3, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes up to make a basket against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

One of the lottery picks that improve their position in this redraft is Deni Avdija. He has broken out as an impressive two-way wing. Avdija has demonstrated himself as an excellent slasher and defender who has improved as a shooter. While Avdija isn’t on the same caliber as the star players in this class, his improvement is still certainly impressive.

Pick #8: Aaron Nesmith

Actual Pick: Obi Toppin

In a similar vein to McDaniels, Aaron Nesmith has become an excellent 3-and-D wing in the NBA. His defensive abilities and improvement as a three-point shooter have been vital for Indiana. He slots in nicely as their starting small forward, and his contributions helped the Pacers make the Finals this past year. In fact, Nesmith nearly 50% percent from three on 5.3 attempts per game in the most recent postseason. His development into an elite 3-and-D wing easily gets Nesmith redrafted higher.

Pick #9: Payton Pritchard

Actual Pick: Deni Avdija

Payton Pritchard is yet another player who takes a major jump in this redraft after originally going late in the first round. His abilities as a solid guard off the bench who can provide his team with quick offense and high energy give him a strong argument for this redrafted position. He contributed to the Celtics during their championship year in 2024 and won Sixth Man of the Year with them in 2025. His accolades off the bench certainly earn him a spot in the lottery.

Pick #10: Obi Toppin

Actual Pick: Jalen Smith

Obi Toppin takes a slight fall to 10th in this redraft, but by no means is he a bad player. In fact, Toppin has transformed himself into a quality 3-and-D wing capable of highly athletic plays. He has turned into a capable three-point shooter and has averaged double-digit points ever since he got to Indiana. Like Nesmith, Toppin was also a contributor to the Finals run that the Pacers made. Toppin is a solid wing all around and deserves to stay in the lottery.

Pick #11: Devin Vassell

Actual Pick: Devin Vassell

Similar to Edwards, Devin Vassell retains his original draft position in this redraft. He keeps his spot due to his talents as a scorer from all over the court. Ever since his sophomore year, Vassell has averaged double-digit points, including one year where he nearly averaged 20. He is certainly a solid scoring guard who provides his team with decent shooting and ball-handling.

Pick #12: Onyeka Okongwu

Actual Pick: Tyrese Haliburton

Despite dropping six spots from his original draft position, Onyeka Okongwu has turned himself into a solid starting center in the league. As the only big man in this redraft, Okongwu has demonstrated himself to be a capable rim protector and rebounder for his size at six-foot-eight. Plus, he has worked on his shooting to become at least a respectable shooter for his position.

Pick #13: Isaiah Joe

Actual Pick: Kira Lewis Jr.

Isaiah Joe is the only player in this redraft who jumped from the second round to the lottery. Nevertheless, he deserves his new placement considering how he has developed. Joe is one of the best three-point shooters in the league and has been a great offensive punch off the bench for Oklahoma City. His abilities as a shooter have helped the Thunder achieve great regular-season success and assisted them in winning the 2025 NBA Finals. The level of talent and skill Joe developed over the years clearly makes him worthy of going in the lottery of this redraft.

Pick #14: Immanuel Quickley

Actual Pick: Aaron Nesmith

Last, but not least, is Immanuel Quickley, who is yet another player who originally went late in the first round. Quickley has shown himself to be a solid offensive guard who can both score and play-make at a decent level. His offensive skills almost helped him win the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2023, only losing to Malcolm Brogdon. Overall, Quickley has had a solid career as an offensively-minded guard for both New York and Toronto.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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