In the 2020 offseason, the Charlotte Hornets' fate in the draft partially relied on what the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors, who owned the top two picks, would do. As it turned out, LaMelo Ball was available for the taking since the Wolves selected Anthony Edwards, and the Warriors took a risk on James Wiseman.
After almost five years, it's safe to say the Hornets lucked out that Golden State drafted for potential and fit instead of choosing the more talented Ball. As such, Charlotte has a potential superstar in the making who is likely on his way to his second All-Star appearance next month.
Still, the Hornets might have a concerning situation on their hand, as the young point guard's impact on winning has been questioned this season. He also has a long way to go to prove that he has overcome his health problems.
Even so, the Dubs appear to have a worse outlook because of their 2020 draft decision.
Warriors' LaMelo Ball snub has come back to bite them
To be fair to Golden State, it probably thought that Ball wouldn't have thrived on the team, as it already had Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson starting at the backcourt.
On the other hand, Wiseman filled its lack of big man depth and helped its "two-timelines" approach (trying to contend in the present and build for the future). Still, the front office should have been wary of the University of Memphis product's lack of experience, as he had played just three games in college after being found to have violated NCAA rules during the recruiting process.
In hindsight, the Warriors obviously erred in drafting Wiseman.
The partnership didn't even last two seasons, as they shipped him to the Detroit Pistons in the middle of the 2022-23 campaign. He signed with the Indiana Pacers last summer but has made just one appearance since after sustaining a torn Achilles tendon in the season opener.
Golden State could have used the No. 2 pick in 2020 to acquire an established player or trade down in the draft while bringing in another rotation piece. Alternatively, the team also had the opportunity to select the most talented player available in Ball.
Some might contend that the California native's presence would have affected the Warriors' championship run in the 2021-22 season. As a counter-argument, it's worth noting that Wiseman didn't even suit up in that campaign. And who's to say that Ball wouldn't have been a better version of Jordan Poole, their third-leading scorer in the regular season and the playoffs?
The Dubs have been in a state of disarray since securing their latest title. It looked like they had turned things around in late November when they held a 12-4 record and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. But now, the Warriors have fallen below .500 (19-20) and to 11th place. Would Ball have made a difference for Golden State? The answer is likely yes, given how well the Hornets star has played this season when healthy.
Fortunately for Charlotte, the Warriors' costly mistake in 2020 has benefitted the Hive.