That ReDraft #2: 2012 NBA ReDraft - AdamJones113's Blog

AdamJones113's Blog

That ReDraft #2: 2012 NBA ReDraft

Posted on April 17, 2015 at 08:27 AM.

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1. New Orleans Hornets (Pelicans)
Actual Pick: Anthony Davis, PF/C
Re-Draft Pick: Anthony Davis, PF/C
The Hornets/Pelicans hit a home run with this Unibrow pick, and given the chance they'd reprise it immediately. It was a given then and it's a given now, especially given Davis' incredible stat line. New Orleans' franchise player is averaging 22 points, 9.1 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.4 blocks per game. More than worth a #1 pick.

2. Charlotte Bobcats (Hornets)
Actual Pick: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF
Re-Draft Pick: Andre Drummond, C
Kidd-Gilchrist has never really become what Charlotte hoped he would become. While he's been a good starter at best, and a mediocre one at worst, Kidd-Gilchrist doesn't have the explosiveness that Andre Drummond has. Drummond has become a powerful double-double machine on a terrible Detroit team; had the Bobcats selected him that would have been a powerful force in Charlotte instead.

3. Washington Wizards
Actual Pick: Bradley Beal, SG
Re-Draft Pick: Bradley Beal, SG
Damian Lillard is still on the board, but John Wall is also still in Washington. With no top-notch options left that the Wizards could use as an upgrade, Washington nabs Bradley Beal to once again complement Wall. He's dependable and a scorer, and Washington can't argue with that.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Actual Pick: Dion Waiters, SG
Re-Draft Pick: Harrison Barnes, SF
Yes, I know Damian Lillard is still on the board. Yes, I know the Cavaliers now have LeBron James. But the Cavs also have Kyrie Irving, who's played incredibly this year. And having Barnes as a defensive-minded 6th man would make the Cavaliers even more of a force, and a more balanced force at that.

5. Sacramento Kings
Actual Pick: Thomas Robinson, PF
Re-Draft Pick: Damian Lillard, PG
The city of Sacramento is dancing in the streets with this pick. Lillard is arguably the second best player in this draft, and the Kings got him later than anyone would have expected. Robinson has never materialized as an option for any team, while Lillard has turned into a franchise player 500 miles up the road. Cousins, Gay, and Lillard? That's a top-3 combo right there.

6. Portland Trail Blazers
Actual Pick: Damian Lillard, PG
Re-Draft Pick: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF
The Trail Blazers, bereft of the opportunity to select Damian Lillard, nab the best remaining player in Kidd-Gilchrist. Due to the emergence of LaMarcus Aldridge (2nd in points, 1st in rebounds, 3rd in blocks), the Trail Blazers don't need a top starter. They grab a consistent starter at a position of need and one who's cheap enough to re-sign when the time comes.

7. Golden State Warriors
Actual Pick: Harrison Barnes, SF
Re-Draft Pick: Terrence Ross, SG
With no good picks remaining in the top 10, the Warriors grab a sign-able bench player. OK, they grab a guy to warm Klay Thompson's seat, someone who is way inferior to the Warriors' actual pick in Harrison Barnes, but really they just needed to say a name. At least Golden State can claim a Dunk Contest champ.

8. Toronto Raptors
Actual Pick: Terrence Ross, SG
Re-Draft Pick: Thomas Robinson, PF
Slim pickings, so the Raptors grab the last big man left to pick. Maybe he develops into a role player north of the border (maybe not), maybe they trade him for another pick (maybe not), maybe he just sits in Thomas Robinson-limbo. Moving on.

9. Detroit Pistons
Actual Pick: Andre Drummond, C
Re-Draft Pick: Dion Waiters, SG
Ok, might as well give Detroit a scoring option, something which they clearly need. While clearly inferior to Andre Drummond, if the Pistons gave Waiters the lion's share of offensive touches he may have become a actually good player, personality issues notwithstanding.

10. New Orleans Hornets (Pelicans)
Actual Pick: Austin Rivers, PG/SG
Re-Draft Pick: Austin Rivers, PG, SG
And with the final pick in the top 10, New Orleans are tasked with re-drafting Austin Rivers. They may not be happy about their pick, but at least�as opposed to Detroit and Portland�New Orleans knows exactly what they're getting with Rivers. And that, for what it's worth, may be the best pick in the last 5 picks.