1. Minnesota Timberwolves - Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
Original pick: Karl-Anthony Towns
Without question, the Timberwolves still take KAT at number one. With career averages of 22.7 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, and 1.5 BPG, Towns is the most productive player in this class. Before the 2019-20 season was postponed, Towns was having an insane offensive season (26.5 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 4.4 APG). His shooting has been very good from the start of his career, but this season he was at another level (41.2% shooting on 7.9 attempts per game).
KAT is an elite offensive modern-day big man but seems to be the next in the long line of Timberwolves who consistently underachieve. Since drafting Towns, the Wolves have only had a winning record in one season (2017-18) which ended in a first-round exit in the playoffs. It isn't fair to put this all on KAT, they also once had Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins, you would expect more just based on raw talent.
What KAT does need to improve is his intensity on defense. He has posted pretty solid numbers on that end of the court, but the effort isn't always there. In his current form, Towns is just an average to slightly above-average defender in my opinion. Even with the short-comings, Karl-Anthony Towns looks like he can be a franchise building block. It's easy to envision him being a very good player for a long time in the NBA. Next season is huge for him as the Wolves added D'Angelo Russell giving KAT another promising young running mate. Let's just hopes it works out better than the Wiggins-Towns duo.
2. Los Angeles Lakers - Devin Booker, G, Kentucky
Original Pick: D'Angelo Russell
I'll be honest here: I was extremely tempted to put Russell back as the number two pick before I remember what went down with the Lakers. On talent alone, I think Booker and Russell are a toss-up. Booker just would have made a lot more sense for the Lakers looking back. In 2015, Devin Booker was a mystery. While he did display a nice shooting stroke, Booker wasn't overly productive at Kentucky, which is why he was selected in the late lottery. Booker definitely has surpassed a lot of expectations, and I would imagine he would have benefitted greatly from learning under the late Kobe Bryant. Then again, the Lakers in 2015 were an absolute mess and really didn't turn it around until this past season. With that said, the Phoenix Suns have been even more of a dumpster fire than the Lakers.
Booker has shown elite scoring potential as well as some nice playmaking ability putting up 26 PPG and 6 APG in each of the last two seasons. While this is very impressive, a big argument against Booker is that these stats are empty as it has still resulted in the Suns being near the bottom of the league. I personally think Booker is best suited to be a great second banana on a good team, rather than the best player on a team like the Suns.
Booker can score from pretty much anywhere, create for himself and others, and is an excellent fit in the modern-day NBA. Like Towns, Booker is not a great defender and arguably below average in this department. If the Lakers did take Booker here, and LeBron still decided to join LA, Devin Booker would be an incredible teammate. Until then he may go down as a really good player who just can never figure out how to win anything significant.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State
Original pick: Jahlil Okafor
I would have loved this pick for Philadelphia both at the time and now. Jahlil Okafor isn't quite a complete bust yet but is nowhere near the player anyone hoped he would be. At the time Joel Embiid was essentially a medical redshirt for the Sixers, so I guess Okafor made sense? Had D'Angelo Russell fallen to this spot, no question the Sixers would have pulled the trigger. In the 2015-16 season, Philly started guys like journeymen Ish Smith, Isaiah Canaan, and Kendall Marshall, and undrafted (but somewhat solid) rookie TJ McConnell at point guard.
Russell needed time to develop and mature, but what we have seen in the last few seasons, gives reason to believe we haven't seen the full potential of DLo yet. I was particularly encouraged by his 2018-19 season with Brooklyn where Russell averaged 21.1 PPG and 7 APG on a feisty playoff team. This past season with Golden State and Minnesota, Russell continued to put up solid offensive numbers but followed the trend of the top of this draft class: doing it on a losing team.
Russell is a big point guard who has a knack for scoring as well as good vision and playmaking. He can be frustrating at times with his decisions, but overall I like the way he plays. What Russell desperately needs is consistency on both ends of the court. I don't know if he will ever develop into a good defender as he's not the quickest laterally, but he could stand to improve his focus on that end to become better.
Let's say Philly drafted Russell and still ended up taking Ben Simmons in the 2016 NBA Draft. Say what you will about Simmons, but the fit with Joel Embiid has always been questionable. However if they had a "big three" of Russell, Embiid, and Simmons, I could actually see that team doing considerably better. Russell makes up for Simmons being afraid/unable to shoot, Simmons covers Russell's defensive concerns and Embiid has a less clogged paint. Could Russell and Simmons share playmaking duty? Not sure, but eventually Philadelphia should consider someone who can space the floor and have Simmons play more of a traditional power forward role in the half-court.
4. New York Knicks - Kristaps Porzingis, Big, Lativia
Original pick: Kristaps Porzingis
If Phil Jackson made one good move when he was president of the Knicks, it was drafting Kristaps Porzingis. 7 foot 3, immensely skilled and mobile, Porzingis is one of the most talented young players in the NBA. However, even after five years, Porzingis is just as much as mystery as he was when he was drafted. He showed flashes of brilliance in each of his first two seasons in NY, but we have only seen 48 games of Porzingis being the unquestioned top guy for a team. In the 2017-18 season, Kristaps made a leap (averaging 22.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.4 BPG on shooting splits of 43.9 and 39.5 from three). However, his season was cut short due to a devastating torn ACL. Porzingis missed the entire 2018-19 season and was traded in early January 2019 to the Dallas Mavericks.
What we saw in our shortened season this year was a mixed bag for Porzingis. Even though he has ridiculous size, throughout his career Porzingis tends to drift to the perimeter. As superstar Luka Doncic's top sidekick, Porzingis mostly was turned into a secondary option and became essentially just a spot-up shooter. In order for Porzingis to truly become the superstar it looked like he would become a few short years ago, he needs to diversify his game a little more. I would like to see Porzingis toughen up on the boards and just all-around use his size more on both ends of the court.
I don't think Porzingis is that far off from being in contention for pick two or three in this re-draft but injury concerns for someone of his size really scare you off. That said, knowing what they know now, the Knicks would definitely keep this pick the same. I don't really like the fact that they traded him, but you can't fault a team for not wanting to pay the max for a player they aren't completely sold on. It will be interesting to see how he turns out in five more years.
5. Orlando Magic - Myles Turner, C, Texas
Original pick: Mario Hezonja
Unfortunately for the Magic, Mario Hezonja (who some called the Croatian JR Smith in 2015), never really worked out. Myles Turner had a ton of upside coming out of college and still shows it today. Turner does a lot of things well: protecting the rim, rebounding, spacing the floor. He just has been inconsistent and can struggle to stay on the floor. I'm not sure if it's all on him that he hasn't fully developed into an elite player or if it's just he's surrounded by a lot of guys who are solid on Indiana. Currently, Turner shares the frontcourt in Indiana with Domantas Sabonis, who is one of the most improved players in the NBA this season. Turner and Sabonis are a questionable fit as they do a lot of the same kind of things, but Sabonis does it just a little better right now.
I don't want to completely trash Turner here because I really do like his game. I think it just speaks to the quality of this draft class that a player like Turner goes here. He's a good starter with the potential to maybe be on the fringe of an All-Star team someday. Orlando is always stuck in this type of position. No elite-level players are available sot they just end up with a guy who is inconsistent but shows a lot of flashes (Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac looking at you guys!).
6. Sacramento Kings - Montrezl Harrell, Big, Louisville
Orignal Pick: Willie Cauley-Stein
The Kings had the right idea with this pick, just ended up with the wrong player. I will die on the hill that Will "The Thrill" will eventually become a useful role player, but Harrell is more than a role player right now. Montrezl Harrell doesn't look like he would be a great big-man in the NBA. He's undersized (6 foot 7, 240 lbs), but makes up for it with his tenacity. The last two seasons, Harrell has been a force off the bench for the Clippers. He's devastating in the pick and roll, protects the rim and is a solid rebounder. Since the Kings still had DeMarcus Cousins at the time, Harrell would actually be a good fit next to him. Let Harrell do all the dirty work while Cousins does all the Boogie stuff.
Harrell was not an overnight success and came into the league a little older than most players, but has been productive since he started to get real minutes. This is not a traditional top ten draft pick, but players like this make your team better.
7. Denver Nuggets - Josh Richardson, Wing, Tennessee
Original pick: Emmanuel Mudiay
As one of the two Denver Nuggets fans living in Buffalo, NY, even I can tell you that the Nuggets have needed wing help. Mudiay was a promising pick at the time, and has had an ok career as a role player, but not what you want from a guy you take in the top ten. Josh Richardson makes it two straight second-rounders who jump into the lottery in this redraft.
Richardson is a classic wing in the Miami Heat system. He developed into a "3 and D" player with some playmaking ability over his four seasons in Miami. We may have seen his peak in 2018-19 when he averaged 16.6 PPG, but he was playing solid in a smaller role with the Sixers this past season. Richardson would have undoubtedly played over guys like Torrey Craig these past few seasons in Denver and would have allowed Will Barton to come off the bench full time. He's not ideally sized to matchup against the leagues bigger wings but would pair nicely with Gary Harris in Denver. Drafting Richardson would have left Denver thin at the PG position for 2015-16 but this would not likely be an issue if they drafted Jamal Murray in 2016 like they did in real life.
8. Detroit Pistons - Kelly Oubre Jr, F, Kansas
Original pick: Stanley Johnson
Detroit has been the symbol of mediocrity in the Eastern Conference in the 2010s. Oubre isn't a great player in my eyes and is another "empty stats guy" to me, but he has shown more than other wings remaining. I was a little torn on this pick because I personally like Justise Winslow more than Oubre and if you look at the Pistons roster in 2015-16 they really had a lot of wings. They probably would have liked more of a scoring secondary guard, but really there aren't any available here. Terry Rozier was considered. That's where we are at this point in the draft.
There are things to like about Oubre. He can defend multiple positions at a solid level, he is very athletic and a decent shooter/scorer. This Detroit Pistons team ending up being an 8 seed in the East. Oubre didn't do much until his third season, so he wouldn't have helped in the playoffs much, but is a better developmental piece looking back on the Pistons recent seasons.
9. Charlotte Hornets - Justise Winslow, Wing, Duke
Original pick: Frank Kaminsky
I hate to banish one of my favorite players in this draft to Charlotte, but the fit makes sense. Charlotte has consistently missed on picks over the years and have paid the wrong players time and time again. Kemba Walker is by far the outlier in this, and they chose not to pay him. In the 15-16 season, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist missed all but 7 games due to injury. With Justise Winslow, the Hornets would get a better version of MKG. I'm not sure if that is a hot take or not and I may be irrational with Mr. Winslow.
Winslow is a versatile role player in the NBA who still hasn't reached his ceiling. He can arguably play four positions both on offense and defense. Winslow is a good defender and rebounder, can handle pick and rolls is a willing passer, and a solid shooter. The shooting has been hit or miss over the years but he did turn in his best season in 18-19 mostly filling in at PG for the Heat. I hope to see Winslow develop further with the Memphis Grizzlies and their young core with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
While the Hornets wouldn't necessarily get a star here, they would be getting a player who can do a lot of things on the basketball court and plays hard night in night out. If Winslow can avoid injuries the next few seasons I truly believe he can be a valuable part of a winning basketball team.
10. Miami Heat - Norman Powell, SG, UCLA
Original pick: Justise Winslow
Another tough pick here. This was a weird year for the Heat. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are still there, but it ended up being Bosh's last season. A big would make sense on this team to partner with Hassan Whiteside and eventually take over for Bosh, but you're looking at guys like Bobby Portis, Larry Nance Jr. or Frank Kaminsky. None of those guys seem to fit what Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra look for. Also probably too many wings here too, so a guard makes sense.
Powell gets the nod here because of his "3 and D" value as well as his secondary scoring potential. Powell really flourished this season in Toronto both starting and off the bench (16.4 PPG, 50% from the field, 39% from 3). He's efficient and would fit on pretty much any team.
11. Indiana Pacers - Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Original pick: Myles Turner
Will the Trill baby! Pacers would be bummed to pick in this redraft because there aren't many impact guys left. Turner really was a great pick for them, Cauley-Stein would make sense in the scenario though. Willie in the late lottery seems way more fitting given how his career has turned out so far. He's still a very agile rim-running center who can also block and alter shots. He's not terrible on offense, but he doesn't have a defined skill either. The Pacers had Ian Mahinmi start most of 15-16, so Cauley-Stein wouldn't have been a bad option.
12. Utah Jazz - Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
Original pick: Trey Lyles
Utah spent most of this season starting Raul Neto and Shelvin Mack at PG. That is not ideal. Dante Exum tore his ACL after a disappointing rookie season is not ideal. Drafting Terry Rozier in the lottery to be your PG is not ideal. There are worse players you could take here than Rozier and there are a few I like better even (Delon Wright). Rozier would make sense for this Utah team both for the 2015-16 season and even currently. They've put a lot into finding a PG; missing on Dante Exum, Ricky Rubio, Mike Conley but have mostly struck out. Late lottery drafting can be a bit of a dart throw. Using our future insight, Rozier is a solid undersize shoot first (and shoot second and third) PG. You don't want him as your star but for a cheap rookie deal? Why not.
13. Phoenix Suns - Delon Wright, G, Utah
Original pick: Devin Booker
Wow, the Suns really had the steal of the draft with Devin Booker. They don't get the benefit of teams being dumb in the redraft. Delon Wright will never be a star. What he is however is a very solid and versatile role player. Currently, on the Dallas Mavericks, Wright benefitted a lot from backing up Kyle Lowry in Toronto. Over the years he has refined his 3pt shot and has always been a solid playmaker and defender. He's long and decently athletic so he can defend multiple positions. Delon Wright could start for a lot of teams at PG or SG. If the Suns ended up with him, I feel like he still would have been a back-up for a few years (they had Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight before he was absolutely awful at the time). Wright would have at the very least given them some toughness in the backcourt.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder - Emmanuel Mudiay, PG
Original pick: Cameron Payne
The Thunder just really needed to draft a guy to come off the bench and do something for them. Cameron Payne was not that guy. Emmanuel Mudiay will likely go down as a bust at pick seven, but as the last pick of the lottery, there's a lot to like here. Others that were considered: Jahlil Okafor (yuck no thanks with Adams and Kanter), Frank Kaminsky, Bobby Portis, Larry Nance, Rodney Hollis-Jefferson, and Mario Hezonja. Obviously, those guys aren't really anything to write home about. Not sure if Mudiay is either.
Mudiay is solid at pretty much everything but hasn't been able to carve out a role on a good team. He'll stay in the league for a while based on his great athleticism, but he'll need to improve/define one skill to make any meaningful impact. I at least have confidence that he would have played better for the Thunder than Randy Foye or Cameron Payne that year.
I think this brings a conclusion to this NBA Draft recap. Beyond the lottery, there aren't too many players worth talking about after these five years. I think this goes down on an average draft. You get one guy with franchise potential with Karl-Anthony Towns, three borderline All-Stars with Booker, Russell and Porzingis, a few good starters, and then a bunch of solid role players. I think in five more years we will look back on this draft and see potential but not a whole lot of playoff success from the best players. Which is fine. Here are a few quick awards for this draft:
BEST PLAYER NOW: KAT
MOST LIKELY TO ASCEND: DLO
BIGGEST BUST: JAHLIL OKAFOR
HOLDING OUT HOPE: JUSTISE WINSLOW
BEST UNDRAFTED PLAYER WHO JUST MISSED THE CUT: CHRISTIAN WOOD
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this. Stay tuned for a 2020 Mock Draft somewhat soon once the NBA announces their plans for the when the 2020 Draft will be scheduled.
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