RandyMossIsBoss Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Always enjoy looking back and thinking of what could have been. For this exercise I am pretending teams have full knowledge of the draftable players and their careers up to this point. There is no knowledge of future moves or the 2018 roster, so the Cavs, for example, are not drafting with Lebron James in mind. #1 Cleveland Cavaliers select F Giannis Antetokounmpo Original selection: Anthony Bennett New selection's original slot: #15 This pick is a no-brainer. Giannis has blossomed into a top 10 player, and bonafide superstar. The only building blocks on the Cavs at this point in time are Kyrie, TT and Waiters, so a versatile forward like Giannis fits in perfectly. #2 Orlando Magic select G C.J. McCollum Original selection: Victor Oladipo New selection's original slot: #10 At this time, Nikola Vucevic looks like a pretty nice piece, averaging a double double in his first year in Orlando. Tobias Harris is another nice young piece, and Afflalo is perhaps their best player. What this team needs is a play making guard, and while Gobert is clearly the 2nd best player in this draft, I think the Magic believe they have their center in Vucevic and opt to add a dynamic guard like McCollum, who is currently averaging 20+ points for the 3rd straight season. #3 Washington Wizards select C Rudy Gobert Original selection: Otto Porter Jr. New selection's original slot: #27 The Wizards have their backcourt of the future, so this is a perfect time to go out and get themselves a center to hold it down on the defensive end. They could use a forward as well, but Gobert is simply the best player available. Injuries are a bit of a concern with him, but when healthy, he's the best defensive anchor in the league, a good rebounder, and improving offensively each year. With this pick the Wizards become serious East contenders down the line. #4 Charlotte Bobcats select F Otto Porter Jr. Original selection: Cody Zeller New selection's original slot: #3 This team desperately needs a big man, but there are still a few talents available that are just a level above the remaining bigs. Kemba looks like he could be a PG of the future, and Gerald Henderson is a good running mate for him. MKG is coming along, hopes are that he will make strides with a full healthy offseason. This pick comes down to Porter or McCollum for the Bobcats, but since Porter offers a bit more versatility, he gets the nod. #5 Phoenix Suns select G Victor Oladipo Original selection: Alex Len New selection's original slot: #2 The Suns are working with a pretty empty cabinet here, so they have no reason not to go BPA, and that's Dipo. A long and athletic combo guard, Oladipo seems to have finally reached some of his potential this seaoson, leading the Pacers to a probably playoff berth and getting an all-star nod. #6 New Orleans Pelicans select PG Dennis Schroeder Original selection: Nerlens Noel New selection's original slot: #17 The Pelicans at this point in time clearly have their sights set on getting a point guard to pair with AD, evidenced by them trading for Holiday the next night. Instead of trading the player they pick here in an attempt to get a PG of the future, why not just use this pick? Schroeder is still a bit of a work in progress, but since getting a full time role in Atlanta he has averaged 18 points and 6 assists a game. #7 Sacramento Kings select C Steven Adams Original selection: Ben McLemore New selection's original slot: #12 While the Kings biggest, and perhaps only, building block at this point is DeMarcus Cousins, quality 7 footers do not grow on trees and Steven Adams has developed into a very solid two-way starting center. He's still just 24 years old, and has statistically improved every single season. Not an ideal fit besides Cousins, but he's going to be a project anyway, giving plenty of time to figure out how to use him alongside Cousins. #8 Detroit Pistons select SG Tim Hardaway Original selection: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope New selection's original slot: #24 This class takes another dip here. The Pistons need help on the wing as they already have a crowded frontcourt, and Hardaway is really the only notable wing player left. He's a sharp shooter, which every team needs, and is currently in the midst of a career best season, averaging 17 points. #9 Minnesota Timberwolves select SG Allen Crabbe Original selection: N/A New selection's original slot: #31 The Wolves have a stash of young talent in Love, Rubio and Derrick Williams, as well as a budding center in Pekovic. There's nobody left with all-star potential, so there best bet is to go fill their biggest need, which is a shooter on the wing. While Crabbe might not even be top 15 on a BB, he fits in nicely here. #10 Portland Trail Blazers select C Nerlens Noel Original selection: C.J. McCollum New selection's original slot: #6 The Blazers could use a rim protector, so they take the gamble on Noel here. While Noel's career is currently in a state of limbo, after being traded to the Mavs and flashing his potential last year he has now fallen near the bottom of the rotation, he's still only 23 and possesses rare athleticism. #11 Philadelphia 76ers select SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Original selection: Michael Carter-Williams New selection's original slot: #9 The 76ers are just about to begin "The Process," so they are going to be looking at a guy who may pay dividends down the line. KCP is about to shed his "project" tag and just be viewed as a rotational talent, but he still has a bit of time to change that. It's doubtful, but 76ers aren't too concerned with the probable outcome that it doesn't work out, as they don't see any real future pieces left. #12 Oklahoma City Thunder select C Mason Plumlee Original selection: Steven Adams New selection's original slot: #22 The Thunder need to make the most of their relatively high pick and get a guy who can help them sooner rather than later. Plumlee is arguably the most NBA ready center left on the board, and should instantly give the Thunder a boost with his rebounding and athleticism at his size. #13 Boston Celtics select C Kelly Olynyk Original selection: Kelly Olynyk New selection's original slot: #13 No change here. He was a good fit for the Celtics, and there's not much better on the board. #14 Utah Jazz select PG Matthew Dellavedova Original selection: N/A New selection's original slot: Undrafted Point guard is the Jazz's only major need on a solid roster that could make the postseason. They go with Delly, a serviceable PG who can help in the rotation and serve as a stop gap guy until they find a true facilitator. F Giannis Antetokounmpo G C.J. McCollum C Rudy Gobert F Otto Porter Jr. G Victor Oladipo PG Dennis Schroeder C Steven Adams SG Tim Hardaway SG Allen Crabbe C Nerlens Noel SG KCP C Mason Plumlee C Kelly Olynyk PG Matthew Dellavedova This got very hard after the 7th pick, what a pitiful class. 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