The Minnesota Timberwolves had the second-worst record (19-45) in the NBA during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, but the T-Wolves hit the lottery on Thursday, securing the #1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The T-Wolves also have the #17 pick in the upcoming draft for a total of two first-rounders in 2020.
“We’re excited for the possibilities ahead of us to bring in a high-caliber player now that we secured the first overall selection,” said Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas.
The Timberwolves are expected to pick Anthony Edwards (Georgia) with the #1 pick.
Without the Splash Brothers and Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors went from the penthouse to the outhouse. The Warriors struggled with a 15-50 this season, posting the worst record in the NBA. The Warriors secured the #2 pick in the upcoming draft, which will be a welcome boost during a bounce-back season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers (19-46) posted the third-worst record in the NBA, but slipped to the #5 pick. With the fourth-worst record, the Atlanta Hawks (40-27) slipped to the sixth overall pick.
2020 NBA DRAFT LOTTERY ORDER
1. Minnesota
2. Golden State
3. Charlotte
4. Chicago
5. Cleveland
6. Atlanta
7. Detroit
8. New York
9. Washington
10. Phoenix
11. San Antonio
12. Sacramento
13. New Orleans
14. Boston
The Charlotte Hornets (23-42) improved their spot to secure the third overall pick. The Chicago Bulls (22-43) also moved up in the NBA Draft Lottery to land the fourth pick.
The NBA Draft will commence after the completion of the NBA Finals on Friday, Oct. 16.
The 2020 #NBADraftLottery order is set. pic.twitter.com/6PLlYKKhY3
— NBA (@NBA) August 21, 2020
Warriors Bounce Back, Hornets Bump
The Golden State Warriors went to the 2019 NBA Finals, but finished the next season with the worst record in the NBA. Free agency moves and a banged-up backcourt doomed the Warriors this year. Klay Thompson blew out his knee in the NBA Finals, and Steph Curry broke his hand at the start of the season. The Warriors also missed Kevin Durant, who injured his Achilles in his last game with the team before skipping town to sign with the Brooklyn Nets.
Georgia’s Anthony Edwards could be a good fit with the Warriors at #2, especially with the Splash Brothers returning from injuries. Curry and Thompson aren’t getting any younger, but Edwards could easily become the third Splash Brother. Toppin played an up-tempo offense for the high-flying Dayton Flyers. He could also mesh well with the Warriors’ offensive philosophy.
The Charlotte Hornets couldn’t re-sign Kemba Walker, who bounced to the Boston Celtics in free agency. Without Walker, the young Hornets put up a decent fight this season with 23 wins. They have a core of talented youngsters, with Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges, and PJ Washington. Now they have a top-3 pick to add to the mix.
Presuming that Edwards and LaMelo Ball are the first two players picked, the Hornets have a choice between James Wiseman and Obi Toppin. The 7-foot Wiseman barely played during a controversial freshman season with Memphis. Meanwhile, Toppin won multiple Player of the Year awards during a sensational season with Dayton.
Knicks Screwed … Again
The New York Knicks got bumped for the second time in the last two years. Knicks’ fans prayed they’d hit paydirt with the Zion Williamson Sweepstakes and land the #1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. However, the Knicks slipped two spots and settled on the third pick. They selected Zion’s Duke teammate, RJ Barrett.
LaVar Ball strongly suggested that the Knicks should rebuild their future around his youngest and most talented son, LaMelo. Since the Knicks slipped to #8, LaVar Ball will have to convince the Knicks to trade up to the top three if they want to grab LaMelo. The Knicks have a pair of first-round picks, and could package them together and move up.
2020 NBA DRAFT REST OF ROUND 1
15. Orlando
16. Portland
17. Minnesota
18. Dallas
19. Brooklyn
20. Miami
21. Philadelphia
22. Denver
23. Utah
24. Milwaukee
25. Oklahoma City
26. Boston
27. New York
28. Los Angeles Lakers
29. Toronto
30. Boston
The Boston Celtics have three first-round picks in the 2020 NBA Draft. They acquired the #14 pick from the Memphis Grizzlies to go with the #26 pick, and first round’s final pick at #30.
