Remember that weird virtual draft night in 2020? Empty chairs, awkward family Zooms, and Adam Silver announcing picks from his basement? That's when Anthony Edwards heard his name called first overall. Man, what a journey it's been since that night. I've watched every Wolves game since they drafted Ant, and let me tell you - nobody saw this coming. Not this fast anyway.
The 2020 Draft Night Breakdown
COVID messed everything up that year. No combine, limited workouts, teams scrambling for film. The Timberwolves were torn between Edwards and LaMelo Ball until the final hours. I spoke to a scout who was in the war room that night - he said Edwards' workout tape showed something you can't teach: explosive power mixed with raw swagger. Still, the pick got roasted on Twitter. "Another athletic guard who can't shoot?" Sound familiar?
| Pick # | Player | Team | College/Team | Pre-Draft Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Edwards | Minnesota | Georgia | Shot selection, defense |
| 2 | James Wiseman | Golden State | Memphis | Limited college tape |
| 3 | LaMelo Ball | Charlotte | Illawarra Hawks | Shooting consistency |
| 4 | Patrick Williams | Chicago | Florida State | Offensive aggression |
| 5 | Isaac Okoro | Cleveland | Auburn | Shooting range |
Fun fact nobody mentions: Edwards played just 19 games at Georgia on a team that went 16-16. Scouts worried he'd disappear for stretches. Now look at him - plays harder than anyone in the 4th quarter. Funny how things work out.
Anthony Edwards' Evolution
That rookie year was rough. Ant shot 29% from three and played matador defense. I went to a Wolves-Nuggets game in January 2021 - he looked lost on rotations. But then something clicked after All-Star break. Remember that 42-point explosion against Phoenix? That's when I texted my buddy: "This kid's different."
Year-by-Year Improvement
| Season | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% | Key Development |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 19.3 | 4.7 | 2.9 | 41.7% | 32.9% | Volume scorer |
| 2021-22 | 21.3 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 44.1% | 35.7% | Playmaking growth |
| 2022-23 | 24.6 | 5.8 | 4.4 | 45.9% | 36.9% | All-Star selection |
| 2023-24 | 26.1 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 46.5% | 36.4% | Playoff dominance |
What blows my mind isn't the stats - it's how he's become Minnesota's closer. Last playoffs against Denver? Kid averaged 31.6 points on 48% shooting. That dunk over Yuta Watanabe still gives me chills. Scouts missed his competitive wiring completely.
"People focus on his athleticism, but his mental toughness is elite. After bad games, he's the first in the gym. That's rare for young stars." - Anonymous Western Conference assistant coach
How the Top 10 Picks Have Performed
Let's be real - draft classes get judged by their top picks. The 2020 Anthony Edwards draft class had more hits than misses, but man there were surprises:
- James Wiseman (#2): Golden State thought they had their next big. Injuries destroyed his rhythm. Now in Detroit trying to reboot.
- LaMelo Ball (#3): Flashy as hell but durability concerns. When healthy? Elite passer with Steph-range.
- Tyrese Haliburton (#12): Steal of the draft. Pacers got a franchise PG who makes everyone better.
- Desmond Bane (#30): Memphis hit gold. Went from 3&D guy to 20+ PPG scorer.
Top 5 Players from the Class (2023-24 Season)
| Player | Team | PPG | Win Shares | Contract Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 26.1 | 9.2 | Max extension (2024-29) |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Pacers | 20.7 | 8.9 | Max extension (2024-29) |
| LaMelo Ball | Hornets | 23.9 | 4.1* | Max extension (2024-29) |
| Desmond Bane | Grizzlies | 23.5 | 6.3 | $197M extension (2025-30) |
| Tyrese Maxey | 76ers | 25.9 | 7.8 | Rookie extension due |
*Ball played only 36 games due to injury
Steals and Busts: Reality Check
Every draft has surprises. This Anthony Edwards draft class had wild value swings:
Biggest Steals
- Tyrese Maxey (Pick 21): Sixers got a future All-Star who outplays his draft position nightly. His float game is art.
- Immanuel Quickley (Pick 25): Knicks developed him into a Sixth Man winner before trading to Toronto. Efficient scorer.
- Jaden McDaniels (Pick 28): Perfect wing complement to Edwards. Elite defender making $136M now.
Disappointments
- Killian Hayes (Pick 7): Pistons cut bait after 3 seasons of offensive struggles. Oof.
- Obi Toppin (Pick 8): Athletic but never fit in New York. Finding role in Indiana now.
- Cole Anthony (Pick 15): Solid backup but hasn't lived up to lottery hype in Orlando.
Here's what bugs me: teams still overthink the draft. How did 20 teams pass on Maxey? I watched him torch Kentucky opponents for years. Some GMs get too cute with "upside."
Contract Impact: Who Got Paid?
Money talks. The Anthony Edwards draft class is cashing in big:
| Player | Team | Contract | Value | Key Incentives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | Minnesota | Rookie max extension | $204M (base) | Rose Rule triggers ($245M) |
| LaMelo Ball | Charlotte | Rookie max extension | $204M (base) | All-NBA bonuses |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Indiana | Rookie max extension | $204M (base) | Rose Rule triggers |
| Desmond Bane | Memphis | Extension | $197M | All-Star incentives |
Edwards' deal could hit $245M if he makes All-NBA this year. That's life-changing money for a kid from Atlanta. But here's the thing - he's worth it. Franchise players don't grow on trees.
Burning Questions About the Anthony Edwards Draft Class
Was Anthony Edwards always the consensus #1 pick?
Nope. Until draft night, rumors swirled about Minnesota trading down or taking Ball. Edwards' private workouts sealed it. His physical tools were too good to pass up.
How does this draft class compare to 2018 or 2019?
Better than 2019 (Zion's injury-plagued class) but not close to 2018 (Luka, Trae, Shai). Through four seasons:
- All-Stars: 2018 has 6, 2020 has 3 (Ant, LaMelo, Haliburton)
- All-NBA: 2018 has 3 first-teamers, 2020 has none yet
- Depth: 2020 has more quality rotation players than 2019
Who's the best defender from this class?
Three-way tie: Edwards (lockdown perimeter), Jaden McDaniels (versatile stopper), and Isaac Okoro (physical on-ball). Advanced metrics favor McDaniels slightly.
Could Edwards become the face of the NBA?
Absolutely. His charisma is off the charts. That "I'm him" interview after beating Denver? Iconic. But he needs rings to dethrone Jokic/Giannis.
What Made This Draft Class Special
Four years later, the Anthony Edwards draft class stands out for three reasons:
- Star power depth: Beyond the top 3, you've got Haliburton, Maxey, Bane - all potential All-Stars
- Two-way players: Unusually high number of strong defenders (McDaniels, Okoro, Vassell)
- Work ethic: Multiple players made huge jumps (Edwards' shooting, Bane's creation)
I've covered drafts since 2010. This group has a unique edge. Remember when Edwards played baseball during the offseason? Dude competes 24/7. That mentality spread across the class.
Underrated Story: Tyrese Maxey's Grind
Dropped to 21st over "size concerns." Worked with Drew Hanlen all summer on floaters. Now torches drop coverage daily. Proof that development beats draft position.
Looking Ahead: The Next 5 Years
Where will the Anthony Edwards draft class rank historically? Depends on health and team success:
- Anthony Edwards: MVP candidate if Wolves win 55+ games
- Haliburton: Could lead league in assists with Pacers' pace
- Health questions: Ball (ankles), Wiseman (knees) need clean seasons
- Sleepers: Watch Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart - late bloomers
My hot take? By 2028, we'll remember this as a top-5 draft class of the decade. Maybe higher if Wiseman figures it out in Detroit. But the crown jewel is Edwards. That kid's got Jordan-level competitiveness in him. Tell me I'm wrong after you watch him take over playoff games at 22.
Final thought? Draft evaluations need patience. Remember when people killed the Wolves for taking Edwards? Now he's carrying them to conference finals. Sometimes the obvious pick is right - even if Twitter disagrees.
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