2017 NBA re-Draft: De’Aaron Fox landing spot, Kings selection
By Logan Struck
24. Wake Forest. John Collins. 7. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. PF
Original Pick: Lauri Markkanen
This 7th overall pick was part of a big draft night trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota and Zach Lavine to Chicago. Now with this pick, the Bulls can pair their newly-acquired high-flying shooting guard, Lavine, with a super athletic power forward in John Collins. While the Markkanen experiment did not quite work out in Chicago, the Bulls get a shot at another player in the same position that might fit better.
Collins has been in Atlanta his whole career, as they drafted him with the 19th pick in this draft. Even though he had a down year this past season, he has shown a major upside that gives him the potential to be selected even higher in this re-draft. Collins’ best year was in the 2019-20 season, where he averaged 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 0.8 steals while shooting 58.3% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range, with all stats being career-highs.
Collins has had injury concerns throughout the years, and he would not solve the Bulls’ problems immediately, but he would help the team build toward the future.
OG Anunoby. 6. Scouting Report. SF. Indiana. player. 38. Pick Analysis
Original Pick: Johnathan Isaac
Here with the 6th pick, the Magic get potentially the best two-way player in the class. While their original pick, Isaac, is also a fantastic defender, Anunoby shows high potential on the offensive side of the ball. This Magic squad was filled with role players, so I think they take a chance on Anunoby, hoping he can stand out on this roster and become a star.
Anunoby was originally picked with the 23rd pick by the Raptors and has played with them ever since. He has shown improvements every year, and for a Magic team that was not in win-now mode, they would be willing to let him develop. He would join Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic in the young Orlando frontcourt.