Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft: Big lottery changes, Miami Heat grab wing
By Jack Simone
Hindsight is always 20/20, especially when it comes to the NBA Draft. Fans know this, organizations know this, and the Miami Heat definitely know this.
Making the right pick can make or break an organization. While the Miami Heat did not have a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, they did have one in 2020.
The Miami Heat originally selected Precious Achiuwa out of Memphis. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out super well, and he ended up being a part of the sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry.
If there were to be a re-draft of the 2020 NBA Draft, who could the Miami Heat get? What players would fall where? Who would rise? Who would fall?
Shoutout to Christopher Kline at The Sixers Sense for this idea. Make sure to check out his re-draft as well!
(Also, it’s important to note that the team making the pick is the team that ultimately ended up getting the player originally picked. For example, the Portland Trailblazers technically selected Isaiah Stewart at pick 16, but everyone knows that he ended up in Detroit. Therefore, the Pistons get that pick.)
Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft: 1. LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves
Original pick: Anthony Edwards
Timberwolves 2020 starting lineup
- Ricky Rubio
- Malik Beasley
- Anthony Edwards
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- Karl-Anthony Towns
New Timberwolves 2020 starting lineup
- LaMelo Ball
- D’Angelo Russell
- Malik Beasley
- 23RD OVERALL PICK
- Karl-Anthony Towns
In this re-draft, the real-life Rookie of the Year goes number one instead of falling to number three. Anthony Edwards wasn’t a bad pick, but if Minnesota could go back, they might choose Ball instead.
Having that sort of height at the point guard position would be hugely beneficial for them. It would also allow the Timberwolves to start D’Angelo Russell at the shooting guard.
Ball’s crazy talent as a facilitator would definitely make life easier for Karl-Anthony Towns, too. He has the potential to be a superstar in this league and would easily be the face of the franchise alongside KAT.
The Timberwolves have been so bad for so long that they just need to get as much talent as possible whenever they can. Edwards is great, but as of now, Ball has more potential to turn into a star.
Picking Ball would have also allowed them to part ways with Ricky Rubio sooner. Overall, it just would have made a lot more sense for them to go with Ball at number one.