Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft: Big lottery changes, Miami Heat grab wing

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 03: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hugs LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets after the game at Target Center on March 3, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 135-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 03: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hugs LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets after the game at Target Center on March 3, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 135-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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Miami Heat
James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors passes the ball in the first half against the Sacramento Kings (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft: 9. James Wiseman, Washington Wizards

Original pick: Deni Avdija

Wizards 2020 starting lineup

  • Russell Westbrook
  • Bradley Beal
  • Deni Avdija
  • Rui Hachimura
  • Alex Len

New Wizards 2020 starting lineup

  • Russell Westbrook
  • Bradley Beal
  • Garrison Matthews
  • Rui Hachimura
  • James Wiseman

In this re-draft, James Wiseman falls all the way to ninth instead of going second overall. However, the Wizards end up with their center of the future.

Since Washington picks Wiseman, they likely don’t have to make the trade for Daniel Gafford, nor do they have to pick up Alex Len. Despite his injuries, Wiseman would have played a huge role for them.

Having Russell Westbrook at point guard would have helped him out a ton, too. Stephen Curry is no slouch, but Westbrook is a generational talent when it comes to facilitating for his big man.

Wiseman just didn’t show enough of his potential last year with the Warriors. It’s certainly still there, but he did not put it on full display, so he ends up falling pretty far in this re-draft.

Hopefully, Wiseman can come out this season and prove that he deserved to be taken second overall. Until then, though, he’ll be going ninth in this re-draft.