I still remember watching that draft night from my apartment, the glow of the screen reflecting off empty takeout containers. The 2020 NBA draft class entered the league under the strangest circumstances - virtual green rooms, limited pre-draft workouts, and no combine measurements to obsess over. We were all guessing, really. Three years later, I find myself constantly revisiting that question: "Looking Back at the NBA's 2020 Draft Class: Where Are They Now?" because the answers keep surprising me.
The pandemic draft produced what I'd call the most unpredictable talent distribution in recent memory. Anthony Edwards went first overall to Minnesota, which seemed straightforward at the time, but who could've predicted he'd become this explosive? The kid who once joked about not liking basketball now drops 35 points like it's nothing. Then there's LaMelo Ball at number three to Charlotte - the flashy passer with the viral highlights who actually became an All-Star in his second season. These were the expected successes, the high-lottery picks who delivered on their promise.
But the real story of this draft class, at least from my perspective, lies in the unexpected gems. Tyrese Haliburton at pick 12? That's looking like one of the biggest steals in draft history. The Pacers guard has developed into a walking double-double with shooting percentages that make statisticians drool. Desmond Bane going 30th to Memphis? The man with the wingspan that broke the combine (if there had been one) has become one of the most efficient scorers in the league. I've watched him drain threes with that unorthodox release and thought - how did 29 teams pass on this?
The international picks particularly fascinate me because scouting was so limited that year. Deni Avdija from Israel at 9, Killian Hayes from France at 7 - they've had uneven starts, but show flashes that make you understand why teams gambled. Then there's the ultimate what-if: James Wiseman at number 2. The big man played just 39 college minutes and has appeared in only 84 NBA games through three seasons due to injuries. When you look at what came after him - it's enough to make Warriors fans wake up in cold sweat.
What's remarkable about "Looking Back at the NBA's 2020 Draft Class: Where Are They Now?" is how many of these players have already shaped franchise trajectories. Haliburton's in Indiana building something special. Edwards is the face of the Timberwolves' resurgence. Even later picks like Immanuel Quickley (25th) and Payton Pritchard (26th) have become crucial rotation pieces on playoff teams. The depth of this class is what continues to astonish me - there are legitimate starters and impact players scattered throughout both rounds.
I was recently reminded of how global basketball has become when checking schedules for September 9 at 5 p.m. at Philsports Arena - that's where some of these 2020 draftees might eventually play in international competitions. The arena has hosted everything from FIBA Asia games to local professional leagues, serving as a reminder that the NBA is just one stage in these players' careers. Several members of this draft class will likely represent their countries there someday, continuing their development on international courts.
The busts hurt to watch, I won't lie. Some top-10 picks have already been traded multiple times, others are fighting for rotation spots. But that's the nature of the draft - it's part science, part fortune-telling. What makes the 2020 group special is how many later picks have outperformed their draft positions. Quickley just finished second in Sixth Man voting. Jaden McDaniels, picked 28th, might be the best perimeter defender in the entire class. The value found in the 20s and 30s is what separates this draft from others.
Three years in, my take is this: the 2020 class might not have the top-heavy superstar power of 2018 with Luka and Trae, but its depth is extraordinary. There are at least 15 players from this draft who I'd want on my team right now, and several who are franchise cornerstones. The pandemic draft, with all its uncertainties and limited evaluations, somehow produced one of the most interesting talent pools we've seen. They entered the league during unprecedented times, and maybe that uncertainty forced them to develop resilience that's serving them well now. As I continue tracking their careers, I'm convinced we'll be talking about this class for years to come - not for its sure things, but for its wonderful surprises.
