It’s fair to say that across all sports, the draft system can lead to unexpected results. Basketball is no different. There have certainly been players picked at No.1 in the NBA Draft who have failed to shine, or even ended up with next-to-no career at all. Conversely, those lower down the pecking order, or even undrafted players, have come to the fore in the Big Leagues.
As for recent drafts, there have been some highly exciting picks, especially given the NBA’s newfound enthusiasm for looking beyond the US college system for players. Many of the players drafted in recent years are now starting to truly find their feet in the NBA, so we wanted to highlight some of them below, looking at the five most impactful players drafted in the 2020s so far:
1. Anthony Edwards (No.1 Pick 2020)
Edwards has clearly been the most impactful player drafted in the 2020s. That does not necessarily mean he is the best or has the highest ceiling, but he is certainly a guy who has become elite, with three All-Star nominations under his belt before he turned 24 last August. At a young age, he is also emerging as the attacking leader of a Timberwolves team that DraftKings NBA betting odds give genuine hope of being a title contender this season. The good news for Minnesota fans and proponents of Edwards is that there is a sense that he can break out even further.
2. Tyrese Haliburton (No. 12 Pick 2020)
Arguably, the 2024/25 season and the Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals shone the global spotlight on Haliburton, showcasing that he was not just a good player, but an elite one. It’s unfair to say that he carried Indiana on his back last season – the Pacers are more than a one-man band – but his quality makes him essential to the team’s success, perhaps more so than any other team in the league.
3. Victor Wembanyama (No.1 Pick 2023)
There is an argument that we could exclude Wembanyama from this list. Why? Well, if it’s about impact on the league, Wemby could perhaps be considered as only getting started. He won his first All-Star last season, and he was, of course, Rookie of the Year in 2024. But his story is a little more about the future: He has started this season on fire, even entering the MVP conversation. It’s scary to think the Frenchman is just 21. He could have another 15 years at the very top – once he gets there.
4. Paolo Banchero (No.1 Pick 2022)
In July, Banchero signed a five-year contract extension with Orlando worth just shy of $240 million, putting him ahead of superstars like Steph Curry and Luka Doncic. It shows that the Orlando hierarchy really values him, and that his performances have told us there is more than potential on show with the 23-year-old. His teammate, Franz Wagner, also signed a mega deal and could arguably merit inclusion on this list. The pair is key to Orlando’s plans for a revival in the coming years.
5. Tyrese Maxey (No. 21 Pick 2020)
2020 is again on this list, and we will finish it with a player who has worked hard to gain the respect of the fans and his peers. Maxey won the Most Improved Player in the 2023-24 season and has emerged as a key member of the Sixers’ line-up. Yes, there have been ups and downs for both team and player in the last few years, but Maxey is a top player, and we think there is even more to come.
Some honorable mentions: LaMelo Ball, Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Franz Wagner, Chet Holmgren, Alperen Sengun, and Stephon Castle