The 2020 NBA Draft supplied many teams with star talent and quality rotational players throughout the first round, from the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting Anthony Edwards with the inaugural first-round selection to the Memphis Grizzlies selecting Desmond Bane with the final first-round selection. However, several teams would have much regret about selecting some of the worst whiffs of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Five Worst Whiffs in the 2020 NBA Draft
James Wiseman (2nd overall)

For the first time since 2012, the Golden State Warriors held a top-10 pick. After years of developing their modern day dynasty, Golden State needed to reload and bounce back from a disappointing 15-50 record over the 2019-2020 season. At No. 2, the Warriors selected Memphis center James Wiseman. In just three games during his freshman season with the Tigers, Wiseman averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and three blocks per game.

This was an abnormal pick by the Warriors, but coming out of high school, Wiseman was one of the best center prospects in recent years. Golden State wanted to start fresh, reloading with not only their transcendent three-point shooting but also a young dominant force on the inside. However, they quickly learned their plan would fail, admitting to one of the worst whiffs of the 2020 NBA Draft.

In his rookie season, Wiseman averaged 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. However, instead of improving in his sophomore season, a season-ending injury sidelined him, stunting his development. Led by Stephen Curry, the Warriors would later win the 2022 NBA Finals, but Wiseman’s development suddenly became an afterthought. The organization would move on a season later, trading him to the Detroit Pistons as his disappointing three-year tenure with the Warriors would come to an end.

Killian Hayes (7th overall)

After missing on Sekou Doumbouya in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Pistons decided to take a swing on another international prospect, selecting French guard Killian Hayes with the No. 7 overall pick. In a ten game EuroCup sample, Hayes averaged 12.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on excellent three-level scoring efficiency. As an 18-year-old, his untapped potential and playmaking upside heavily intrigued the Pistons.

However, after they selected the teenager, the intrigue would vanish. Hayes struggled with both his shot and his turnovers in his rookie season, averaging 6.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.2 turnovers per game on horrendous efficiency. Although Hayes eventually produced a double-digit season, he was never able to eclipse 30% from beyond the arc. Luckily, Detroit combatted this failed experiment by earning the top pick in 2021, selecting their franchise point guard in Cade Cunningham.

After four seasons of 20-plus minutes per game, Detroit finally waived Hayes, indicating the beginning of the end to his five-year NBA career. This past season, Hayes received another chance from the Brooklyn Nets on a 10-day contract where he performed quite well in six games. However, to enter the 2025-26 season, Hayes isn’t on an NBA roster, and it will likely stay that way.

Jalen Smith (10th overall)

The Phoenix Suns were on the clock with the No. 10 overall pick, selecting Maryland big man Jalen Smith. In his sophomore season with the Terripans, Smith earned 2020 All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defense honors as he averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game on great stretch big efficiency. The Suns wanted to pair former top pick Deandre Ayton with a versatile stretch big, and Smith looked to be an ideal fit.

However, Phoenix never gave Smith the chance to prove himself as he barely reached over five minutes per game as a rookie. The Suns traded him to the Indiana Pacers midway through his sophomore season, ending his short stint in Phoenix. Immediately after being traded to Indiana, Smith would thrive over the second half of his sophomore campaign, averaging 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and one block per game.

Over the course of his career, Smith has developed into a solid rotational big when given a fair opportunity. Rather than missing on the actual prospect, the Suns completely whiffed on their development of Smith, making it one of the worst in 2020.

Kira Lewis Jr. (13th overall)

Three picks later, the New Orleans Pelicans selected Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. with the No. 13 overall pick. In his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide, Lewis Jr. earned 2020 All-SEC honors, averaging 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Entering the draft, Lewis Jr. became a true all-around point guard prospect. The Pelicans decided to take the swing on Lewis Jr., hoping to refine his outside shot on top of elite athletic ability.

However, he could never fully develop his all-around skill set and three-point shot in limited minutes with New Orleans. A season-ending ACL tear in his second season didn’t help his development, instead hindering his athletic potential. After being traded during the 2023-24 season, Lewis Jr. would eventually suit up for three teams to end his career.

Aleksej Pokusevski (17th overall)

Just outside the lottery, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected another international prospect in Serbian forward Aleksej Pokusevski. Pokusevski was seen as a project and with no true experience, and his success became purely based on organizational development. The Thunder were in the process of their rebuild and Pokusevski’s 7-foot frame was too promising to ignore.

It would take some time before Pokusevski found his footing at the next level. However, that time never came in Oklahoma City as he showed flashes of production but no real consistency. He struggled with his efficiency, shooting sub-40% from the field and sub-30% from three, which hinted at his future impact on the Thunder. As the team prepared to take the next step in their rebuild, Pokusevski was still developing into his own. As a result, his playing time quickly thinned out, and by his fourth season, he was out of the league.

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