2018 NBA Redraft
Four years ago, some of the great NBA players that are in the league today where drafted. With that being said some mistakes had been made by organizations while others made decisions that have altered the position of their franchise for the better or for the worse. Here are the Top 10 Picks of the 2018 NBA Draft Redrafted.
Number Ten. Philadelphia 76ers:
Gary Trent Jr. (Originally Picked 37th)
Image via Raptors Rapture
Despite only being at the young age of 23 years old, Gary Trent Jr. has made a huge impact on the NBA of today. Drafted originally by the Portland Trail Blazers then later traded to the Toronto Raptors just a season ago, Trent Jr has had a solid NBA career thus-far and in a redraft would see himself move up 27 spots in the draft order. In a redraft (if each team took the best available player) Gary Trent Jr. Would be selected 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. This would give the 76ers a spark plug off of the bench and a young prospect that could be the future to the franchise.
Number Nine. New York Knicks:
Mikal Bridges (Originally Picked 9th)
Image via NBA.com
Mikal Bridges has grown into a great role player ever since joining the league. the former Villanova native has came a long way since joining the Suns. Becoming one of the leagues better three-and-D players we have seen and has been a huge part of Sun’s organization ever since being traded from Philadelphia on draft night. Originally drafted 10th overall, in a redraft with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft the New York Knicks select Mikal Bridges. Instead of Kevin Knox, Bridges would bring the three point game that New York has been trying to instill. This would also add a defensive factor that New York could have used to reach the playoffs this past season. Overall this gives New York another young talent to build around in the future.
Number Eight. Cleveland Cavaliers:
Robert Williams III (Originally Picked 27th)
Image via The Boston Globe
Now competing for an NBA championship, Robert Williams has shaped into a phenomenal big man in today’s NBA that could potentially finish this season with a championship ring. Originally picked 27th overall. Out of Texas A&M, Williams entered the league with not much direction and somewhat of poor coaching. With some guidance and help on his game he’s transformed into a valuable piece for a championship caliber Boston Celtics roster. In a redraft with the number eight pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Robert Williams III. Giving them a promising big-man to build an offense around in the coming years.
Number Seven. Chicago Bulls:
Micheal Porter Jr. (Originally Picked 15th)
Image via NBA.com
Despite injuries getting in the way of the growth of Michael Porter Jr. He still is developing into a talent that could potentially dominate the league. From an early age being a top high school recruit. Porter Jr., drew comparisons to a young Lebron James. With injuries slowing him down he slipped originally in the draft to the Denver Nuggets who had the 15th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. In a redraft, with the seventh pick in the 2018 NBA draft the Chicago Bulls select Michael Porter Jr. With the current roster the bulls have porter would fit into the role as a small forward to power forward. With a lineup consisting of Ball, Lavine, Derozen, Porter Jr., and Vucevic. Without injuries, a team of this caliber could easily find themselves competing in the Eastern Conference.
Number Six. Orlando Magic:
Miles Bridges (Originally Picked 12th)
Image via Swarm and Sting
Coming off of his best season yet so far. Miles Bridges has been one of the most exciting young talents we have seen recently. Fitting right in with teammate LaMelo Ball, Bridges has surpassed his expectations averaging 20 points per game this season. Seeking a new contract in free agency this season it’s safe to say that Bridges has a very bright future ahead. With that being said in a redraft, with the sixth pick in the 2018 NBA draft the Orlando Magic select Miles Bridges. Now creating a solid young core of Miles Bridges and Cole Anthony
Number Five. Dallas Mavericks:
Jarren Jackson Jr. (Originally Picked 4th)
Image via Grizzlies Bear Blue
Former Michigan State forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is in the top five for best picks of this draft class. Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies Jackson Jr., has been one of the better bigs in the league that helped Memphis finished third in the west. In a redraft with the fifth pick in the 2018 NBA draft the Dallas Mavericks select Jackson Jr. Without Luka Doncic available they have to go with the best option available. Although Jackson Jr., is a great player and would be the franchise favorite, you will see a big change from what we are used to today. Without the presence of Luka Doncic and only Jackson the team would unfortunately be in a rebuild for a longer period of time. This team still has a high upside but the ceiling will end up being lowered with this pick.
Number Four. Memphis Grizzlies:
Deandre Ayton (Originally Picked 1st)
Image via BleacherNation.com
Deandre Ayton was a cornerstone to the Phoenix Sun’s rebuilding process. The former first overall pick has really proven himself at the center position these past two season. Despite falling short this season of the Western Conference Finals, Ayton was one of the more dominant big-man of the league. In a redraft in 2022, you can see Ayton being selected fourth overall. With that being said with the fourth pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select Deandre Ayton. The Grizzlies now have a duo of Ja Morant and Deandre Ayton to run and orchestrate their offense. This now gives Memphis the Center presence they originally wanted when selecting Jarren Jackson Jr. Although with the injuries that he has tacked on over the years he’s been on and off of the court for a great deal of time. Now with the explosiveness of Ja and the brutal paint presence of Ayton the Grizzlies could find themselves at the top of the Western Conference and maybe even a trip to the conference finals.
Number Three. Atlanta Hawks:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Originally Picked 11th)
Image via NBA.com
The star of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebuild. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a young talented NBA with generational type talent. Although Shai is only 23 years of age, he is now the leader in Oklahoma City. Averaging 24.5 points-per-game and 5.9 assists-per-game this past season. The Thunder have found their franchise player for years to come. Originally selected by the Los Angeles Clippers and then traded to the Thunder being involved in the Paul George trade that sent him to the Clippers to pair up with All-star Kawhi Leonard. In a redraft with the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Atlantic Hawks select Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Now having a leader in Shai instead of Trae Young, this fit could alter the way that the Hawks rebuild process had went. But with Trae Young not available Shai would now be the face of the Atlanta Hawks and would be leading the charge for the foreseeable future.
Number Two. Sacramento Kings:
Trae Young (Originally Picked 5th)
Image via CNN.com
Although in recent past the Sacramento Kings have had some problems with selecting the right fit for their franchise. In 2018 they selected forward Marvin Bagley III. Although having a positive upside, it was clear from the beginning Bagley was not the fit the Kings needed. Instead in a redraft, with the second pick in the 2018 NBA draft. The Sacramento Kings select, two-time all-star Trae Young. Selecting Trae Young now creates a backcourt that consists of De'Aaron Fox and Trae Young. This move now creates an exciting team centered around two guards who both have promising futures. This gives the Kings the opportunity to be an exciting market to potentially be a market for big free agents to sign to.
Number One. Phoenix Suns:
Luka Doncic (Originally Picked 2nd)
Image via Mavs Money Ball
Arguably one of the best players in the entire NBA. It is almost hard to believe that Luka Doncic was not the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Formerly a pro basketball player overseas, Doncic has been playing professional basketball since he was just 16 years old. With the first pick in the 2018 draft, the Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton. Who was at the time the best fit for the organization. After seeing how things have panned out and the Suns falling short of a championship these past two years, it makes you wonder what would have happened if the Suns decided to take Doncic instead and create a dynamic duo of Devin Booker and Luka Doncic.
Source: Basketball Reference
