The 2020 NBA Draft was thought by many to be talent deficient, lacking in future stars and deep only in the sense of filling out a bench. While the true long-term results are still very much in the air, this class came out and proved it has at least a little star power.
LaMelo Ball was a productive rookie on both ends of the court, dazzling with his passing and proving himself a solid defender from day one. Anthony Edwards overcame an ugly start to set the world on fire down the stretch. Tyrese Haliburton was the steal of the draft in the moment and even more so a season later.
Who didn’t make the cut?
Haliburton is perhaps more of a representative figure for this class than Ball or Edwards, both taken in the top 3. Haliburton was selected outside of the top-10, as was every other player on the All-Rookie first and second teams below. In fact only three top-10 picks made it onto this top-15 ranking of the season’s best rookies.
James Wiseman went second overall but had a rough season, battling COVID and injuries trying to prove himself on a team trying to win. He flashed moments of brilliance but was also clearly a negative on a team that has been unleashed since he was declared out for the season.
While the future is still bright for many top-10 picks, injuries or role depressed their rookie impact: Patrick Williams (chosen 4th), Onyeka Okungwu (6th), Killian Hayes (7th) and Deni Avdija (9th) all fit this bill. Others, such as Obi Toppin (8th) and Jaylen Smith (10th) have had their ceilings collapse on their heads.
To highlight the depth of this class we will go three-deep on our All-Rookie teams. Who have been the top 15 rookies during this topsy-turvy season? And who joins the “Big 3” on the first team? We’ll start with the third team, featuring everything from a top-5 pick to a second-rounder who stepped in ready to go.