The NBA Draft Lottery was nearly three months ago, but teams are finally gearing up for what’s about to go down on Wednesday night with the 2020 NBA Draft. For the first time in a while, there’s a lot of uncertainty across the board, which should make for an exciting night for the NBA.
The first three picks are currently owned by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and Charlotte Hornets — in that order. There’s a ton of talent on the board, but any of these three teams could trade out of the top three at any moment.
Below, we’re going to take a look at the latest buzz surrounding these three teams and who they’re likely to pick. There’s an overwhelming consensus that the top three picks will be LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, and Anthony Edwards. The question is in what order.
Timberwolves Are Up First
The Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in a unique situation this year at the NBA Draft. Not only do they hold the No. 1 overall pick, but they also have the Nos. 17 and 33 picks. Their options are limitless right now, and the ball is in their court to turn their franchise around.
The Timberwolves have shown a lot of interest in LaMelo Ball, the best playmaker in the draft. He averaged 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game in Australia and could make an immediate difference in the NBA.
While the Timberwolves have welcomed a potential trade out of the top three, a majority of the talk is that they’re trying to trade their No. 17 pick to move up into the Top 10. That suggests they might be staying put at No. 1, and Ball seems the most logical selection.
Warriors Pick Second
The Golden State Warriors are also in a unique situation. They already have Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green on their roster. With the No. 2 overall selection, they too have a world of options to consider.
While they could trade it for a more NBA-proven player or more assets down the road, it would be hard to say no to a player like James Wiseman. He would mesh well in a lineup with the four players listed above, which is currently missing a center.
At 7-1, Wiseman is a monster. His size is incredible, but it’s his speed and the way he moves his feet that make him a difficult threat on the court. He still has a lot to learn, but the Warriors would instantly become more deadly.
Hornets Going Third
The Charlotte Hornets currently own the No. 3 overall draft pick, but they’ve had their eyes on Wiseman for a while now. It would likely require the Warriors to trade their pick, which could happen, but it’s unlikely, given how dominant Wiseman would be with Golden State.
Georgia’s Anthony Edwards is the last man standing here, and it’s a pick that makes a lot of sense if they can’t get Wiseman. During Edwards’ workout with the Hornets, it was reported that Michael Jordan made an entrance, so he’s certainly on the team’s radar.
Edwards finished his freshman year averaging 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game at Georgia. He still has a lot to prove, but at 19 years old, he has a lot of time left to learn. At 6-5, he could be a dominant shooting guard comparable to Dwyane Wade.
The NBA Draft is set to start at 7 pm ET on Wednesday. You can view it on ESPN or in the Watch ESPN app.