Remember the 2020 NBA Draft? It was basically a fever dream. No fans. Adam Silver standing in a studio. Prospects wearing expensive suits in their living rooms because a global pandemic shifted the entire sports calendar to November. At the time, scouts were calling it a "weak" class. They said there wasn't a franchise-altering superstar at the top.
They were wrong. Extremely wrong.
Now that we’re sitting in early 2026, looking back at that night in Bristol, Connecticut, is wild. This group didn't just meet expectations; they shattered the "low-ceiling" label. We’ve seen a Most Improved Player, multiple All-Stars, and a couple of guys who are legit MVP candidates. It’s arguably one of the deepest pools of guard talent we’ve seen in the modern era. Honestly, if you redid the draft today, the top ten would look absolutely nothing like the original list.
Anthony Edwards and the Rise of "Ant-Man"
Anthony Edwards was the number one pick for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but even then, people were skeptical. You might remember the quotes about him not "loving" basketball or wanting to be a rapper. Well, fast forward to January 2026, and he is the face of the league.
As of this week, Ant is putting up historic numbers. He's currently the frontrunner for the Clutch Player of the Year award. Get this: he’s shooting over 70% in "clutch" situations—defined as games within five points in the final five minutes. That’s not just good; it’s statistically the best clutch season we've seen since the league started tracking the stat 30 years ago. He’s leading a Timberwolves squad that has become a perennial threat in the West. He’s the alpha. He’s the guy taking the game-winner over Victor Wembanyama like he did just a few days ago against the Spurs.
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The Tyrese Haliburton Steal
If you want to talk about front-office blunders, look no further than the eleven teams that passed on Tyrese Haliburton. He fell to the Sacramento Kings at number 12.
Think about that. 12th.
Now, Haliburton is a certified superstar for the Indiana Pacers, though he’s unfortunately sidelined right now with a torn right Achilles. It’s a brutal blow for a guy who was leading the league in assists and basically reinventing what a pass-first point guard looks like in 2026. Before the injury, he was the engine of the highest-octane offense in the league. His "win shares" are actually higher than Anthony Edwards'—sitting at 37.6 compared to Ant's 28.8. That’s insane value for a mid-lottery pick.
Why the 2020 NBA Draft Class is Better Than We Thought
The depth of this class is what really makes it special. Usually, drafts have a few stars and a whole lot of "meh." But the 2020 group has starters and high-level role players deep into the second round.
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- Tyrese Maxey: The 21st pick. Philly fans know he’s the real deal. He’s currently averaging over 30 points per game this season. He went from a bench spark plug to a max-contract leader who has basically replaced the production of every star that’s left the Sixers since 2020.
- Desmond Bane: Taken 30th overall—literally the last pick of the first round. He’s now a cornerstone for the Orlando Magic, scoring 27 points against the Pelicans just the other day. He’s one of the best shooters on the planet.
- LaMelo Ball: He’s had some terrible luck with his ankles, missing 11 games already this season, but when he’s on the floor, Charlotte actually looks like a basketball team. He’s still a nightly triple-double threat.
- Immanuel Quickley: Another late first-rounder (25th) who has turned into a franchise point guard for the Toronto Raptors. He’s averaging 16 and 6 and has become one of the most reliable floor generals in the East.
The Missteps and the "What-Ifs"
It hasn't been all sunshine, obviously. James Wiseman at number two remains the biggest "what-if" of the decade. The physical tools were there, but the fit with the Warriors was clunky, and injuries slowed his development to a crawl. He’s currently a journeyman backup, averaging about 9 points a game.
Then there’s the "wing" problem. In 2020, teams were desperate for the next great 3-and-D wing. Guys like Isaac Okoro (5th) and Patrick Williams (4th) haven't quite become the stars their draft positions suggested. They are fine players, sure. They'll have long careers. But they aren't the guys you build a franchise around. It turns out 2020 was the year of the Guard.
Actionable Takeaways for Evaluating Future Classes
Looking at how the 2020 NBA draft class panned out gives us some pretty clear lessons for how to scout moving forward.
First, stop overthinking "feel for the game." Haliburton and Quickley had it in spades, but scouts worried about their shooting forms or foot speed. If a guy knows how to play, he usually finds a way.
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Second, the "weak draft" narrative is usually a myth. Talent is everywhere. When you hear analysts saying a draft class is bad, they usually just mean there isn't a Zion Williamson or a LeBron James at the top.
Third, look for the late-bloomers with high motors. Tyrese Maxey and Desmond Bane succeeded because they were gym rats who improved their shooting every single summer.
If you’re looking to track the progress of these guys throughout the 2025-26 season, keep an eye on the All-NBA ballots. We could easily see three or four players from this single class making those teams. Anthony Edwards is a lock, Maxey is a strong candidate, and if Haliburton hadn't gone down, he’d be right there too. This "weak" class ended up being the backbone of the league’s new era.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the latest injury updates for LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton before setting your fantasy lineups for the weekend.
- Watch the replay of Anthony Edwards' game-winner against the Spurs; his footwork in the clutch is a masterclass in modern isolation scoring.
- Keep an eye on the Orlando Magic box scores to see if Desmond Bane continues his 20-point scoring streak through the end of January.