The Sophomore class in the NBA now has a season and some change under their belt. With hot takes flowing about these players, it’s time for everyone’s favorite exercise: a re-draft.
If we were to do a re-draft of the 2020 class today, here’s how it would go:
1- Timberwolves: Lamelo Ball
(Originally Anthony Edwards)
Look, the Wolves are not mad about their pick. They could go either way but Lamelo is slightly better than Ant at this point and has the higher ceiling. The wolves go Melo in this redraft but aren’t really desperate for this do over.
2- Warriors: Anthony Edwards
(Originally James Wiseman)
Wiseman was a smart pick for the long game, warriors fans didn’t want to play the long game. When he comes back this year the warriors might be pretty happy but right now Ant is still on the board and you gotta swing for the established star.
3- Hornets: James Wiseman
(Originally Lamelo Ball)
Well… the Hornets are not happy. They would love wiseman if they had Melo, but in this they do not.
4- Bulls: Patrick Williams
(Originally Patrick Williams)
Paw is still the pick here, honestly nothing to say here.
5- Cavaliers: Desmond Bane
(Originally Isaac Okoro)
He is the MIP favorite at this point. Bane has blown away all expectations by adding in passing and creation to his arsenal. Bane flys up this redraft.
6- Hawks: Tyrese Haliburton
(Originally Onyeka Okongwu)
Okongwu isn’t really being penalized because of the injuries. Hali just should have been the pick here from the beginning.
7- Pistons: Cole Anthony
(Originally Killian Hayes)
In this redraft we don’t know Cade will be on the Pistons but Cole sI’ll fits well as they can share ball handling duties.
8- Knicks: Onyeka Okongwu
(Originally Obi Toppin)
Thibs likes defense and hates Obi so we will give this a try.
9- Wizards: Isaac Okoro
(Originally Deni Avdija)
The Wizards get a perimeter defender to hopefully help on that end.
10- Suns: Deni Avdija
(Originally Jalen Smith)
Maybe Deni will get some rub on the Suns because Jalen doesn’t when they are healthy and has already had his option declined.
11- Spurs: Devin Vassell
(Originally Devin Vassell)
No one left on the board entices the Spurs to pass on who they already have.
12- Kings: Obi Toppin
(Originally Tyrese Haliburton)
Kings, I’m sorry, Hali was the only good draft pick you have had since the Clinton Administration (ok I’ll give you Boogie). Obi is best player available so… I’m sorry.
13- Pelicans: Tyrese Maxey
(Originally Kira Lewis jr.)
This should have been the pick on draft night. Maxey was always going to be better than Kira.
14- Celtics: RJ Hampton
(Originally Aaron Nesmith)
Hopefully RJ can be more of the connecting piece the Celtics need.
15- Magic: Immanuel Quickley
(Originally Cole Anthony)
The Magic are mad, Cole was a revelation for them. Sadly he’s long gone.
16- Pistons: Isaiah Stewart
(Originally Isaiah Stewart)
If the Beef Stew recipe is good, don’t change it.
17- Thunder: Saddiq Bey
(Originally Aleksej Pokusevski)
Poku has not panned out, Bey seems to be the kind of player the Thunder desperately need.
18- Mavericks: Jaden McDaniels
(Originally Josh Green)
The Mavs need defensive wings and McDaniels is that kind of player.
19- Pistons: Aaron Nesmith
(Originally Saddiq Bey)
With Bey gone with the wind (I tried to make a storm joke idk if it makes sense but I find it funny) the pistons go with the best shooter available.
20- Heat: Precious Achiuwa
(Originally Precious Achiuwa)
The Heat keep precious because he’s tradeable.
21- 76ers: Killian Hayes
(Originally Tyrese Maxey)
The Sixers hope bringing Hayes along slowly will fix him.
22- Nuggets: Aleksej Pokusevski
(Originally Zeke Nnaji)
Hopefully letting Poku develop slowly helps more than throwing him to the wolves.
23- Timberwolves: Josh Green
(Originally Leandro Balmaro)
Speaking of wolves. Josh has shown some really good defensive instincts and passing this lets the Wolves try multiple ball handler lineups without sacrificing defense.
24- Nuggets: Leandro Balmaro
(Originally RJ Hampton)
Might as well use as many kinds of ball handlers as possible.
25- Knicks: Payton Pritchard
(Originally Immanuel Quickly)
Knicks try to replace some of what Quickley can do but don’t do a great job.
26- Celtics: Kira Lewis Jr.
(Originally Payton Pritchard)
With fast PP gone the Celtics decide to go faster.
27- Jazz: Xavier Tillman
(Originally Udoka Azubuke)
The Jazz tried to play the exact same way with Azubuke as Gobert, complete failure. But maybe we try some versatility on defense and see if that helps.
28- Wolves: KJ Martin
(Originally Jaden McDaniels)
KJ soars up this draft board like he’s rising for one of his dunks.
29- Raptors: Malachi Flynn
(Originally Malachi Flynn)
Raptors run it back.
30- Grizzlies: Tre Jones
(Originally Desmond Bane)
One has to wonder if the Grizzlies would do this trade again without bane in the running for this pick.
Jordan Ennis lives in West Africa where he is a pastor at an international church, he also co-hosts the Assisted Development Podcast and writes for assisteddevelopmentpod.com. He can be found at Assisted Development Podcast on Facebook and @BaturePreacher on Twitter.
Jordan Ennis
Jordan Ennis lives in West Africa where he is a pastor at an international church, he also co-hosts the Assisted Development Podcast on the HoopSocial Podcasts feed. He can be found at Assisted Development Podcast on Facebook and @HoopSocialDraft on Twitter.