The 2015 NBA draft seems like a lifetime ago.
It has been 6 years since that draft and so much has changed.
The Warriors were coming off of their first championship during their dynasty run for the next couple of years.
Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, and Kobe Bryant were still playing basketball.
And, the three point revolution was just forming.
This draft class was centered around the Kentucky Wildcats, and their almost perfect season, with 4 of their players being drafted in the lottery.
The national champions that year went to Duke and they had their big man, Jahlil Okafor, vying for the number one pick.
Then there was the mysterious big man out of Latvia named Kristaps Porzingis.
Not only did the league change, but also the outlook of this draft class years later.
So who goes number 1 now?
5th Pick: Orlando Magic
Original pick: Mario Hezonja
Re-draft pick: Montrezl Harrell
Montrezl Harrell has turned into more than just a solid energy guy; like how he was touted coming out of Louisville.
The former 32nd pick has become a great sixth man in the league; even winning the sixth man of the year award last season.
He leads this draft class in FG% and ranks second in win shares and plus/minus.
His numbers and workload have increased every season with the results to match.
4th Pick: New York Knicks
Original pick: Kristaps Porzingis
Re-draft pick: D’Angelo Russell
The New York Knicks are on the clock and they are choosing the flashy guard out of Ohio St.
D’Angelo Russell has had a very up and down career thus far.
He was struggling with his original draft team, the Los Angeles Lakers, until he was moved to the Brooklyn Nets.
Brooklyn is where he began to take off and made the all-star team his second year with the franchise.
Then he was moved to Golden State and eventually to Minnesota, where he is currently.
He ranks in the top three for both points and assists in this draft class.
He is still a great combo guard scorer, while still oozing potential.
3rd Pick: Philadelphia 76ers
Original Pick: Jahlil Okafor
Re-draft Pick: Kristaps Porzingis
If you were to ask after their first two years in the league, who would be the best player out of this draft; some people would have said Kristaps Porzingis.
The 7’3″ unicorn was the future of New York until he tore his ACL.
After the knee injury, he has battled a plethora of them and has turned into a big three point shooter for the most part.
However, he is still a very good player, that on nights can morph into pre-ACL injury Porzingis.
Kristaps Porzingis over his last 3 games:
31 PTS – 15 REB – 57% FG – 38% 3PT
26 PTS – 17 REB – 50% FG – 57% 3PT
23 PTS – 12 REB – 53% FG – 50% 3PT pic.twitter.com/Q743hEBPw4— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) April 12, 2021
The one time all-star is ranked fourth in points for the draft class; while being ranked top four in plus/minus and VORP, respectively.
2nd Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
Original pick: D’Angelo Russell
Re-draft pick: Devin Booker
The Lakers have come a long way from their mid 2010s rebuild they were going through.
Lakers drafting top three in a draft just doesn’t seem right after watching them win a title with none of their lottery picks.
With that being said, in the re-draft, they are taking a player that didn’t start on their college team.
It is odd to think that two time all-star, Devin Booker, did not start on that almost undefeated Kentucky team.
He went 13th in this draft, but now leads this class in both points and assists.
Booker is now one of the best guards in the league and definitely should have been a top three pick in 2015.
Entering tonight, Devin Booker needs just 8 points to become the 9th player to reach 9,000 career points before turning 25.
He would join LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shaquille O'Neal and Anthony Davis. pic.twitter.com/W3ndNSvA0H
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 17, 2021
1st Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves
Original pick: Karl-Anthony Towns
Re-draft pick: Karl-Anthony Towns
Congratulations to the Timberwolves for getting the pick right.
Regardless of the lack of success KAT and the franchise has had, he is still an amazing talent.
Karl-Anthony Towns is so god damn talented.
— Canis Hoopus (@canishoopus) April 17, 2021
His accolades include the Rookie of the Year award, 2 all-star appearances, and a third team all-NBA in 2018.
He is first or second within his draft class in the following categories: points, rebounds, win shares, plus/minus, 3PT%, and VORP.
The man just needs some help in Minnesota, or possibly elsewhere, to maximize all of the potential he has.
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