2017 NBA re-Draft: De’Aaron Fox landing spot, Kings selection
By Logan Struck
C. Kentucky. 3. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Bam Adebayo. player. 18
Original Pick: Jayson Tatum
While the Celtics were looking to draft a secondary scorer to go alongside Kyrie Irving here, they instead land the best big man in the class. Adebayo was originally taken with the 14th pick to the Heat. The Celtics had a great team and had a top-three pick because it originally belonged to the Brooklyn Nets. They received the first overall pick in the Lottery but traded down to three, knowing Tatum would still be there.
While the center position was not necessarily a weak point in this Celtics team, drafting Adebayo allows them to have a starting five of Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, and Bam. This keeps the Boston team loaded while not having anyone to take the shine away from Irving on offense, potentially having him stay a Celtic for longer and build for a championship.
Scouting Report. Louisville. Donovan Mitchell. player. 20. Pick Analysis. SG. 2
Original Pick: Lonzo Ball
While Lonzo was the clear Hollywood pick in 2017, Mitchell is the best guard in this class and goes showtime instead. Mitchell, originally drafted 13th to the Nuggets and traded on draft night to the Jazz, finds his home here in Los Angeles. He is paired with young stars Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle as the Lakers improve their guard play.
Mitchell is coming off a career year in Cleveland, averaging 28.3 points per game on career-high shooting splits. He also received All-NBA second-team honors and was an NBA All-Star starter. Mitchell would be able to shine on the big stage in L.A., as they would hopefully be able to keep their young core together this time around.
SF. Duke. player. 93. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Jayson Tatum. 1
Original Pick: Markelle Fultz
And finally, with the first overall pick, The Process is trusted, and the 76ers select Jayson Tatum. Tatum would be the star the 76ers needed to pair alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Tatum was originally selected 3rd overall to Boston and has had a great start to his career. He has already willed the Celtics to the NBA Finals and multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances. He would be the missing piece that would have taken the 76ers to the next level of championship contenders.
This past year, Tatum earned All-NBA first-team honors but is on the brink of being eliminated in the playoffs by none other than the Philadelphia 76ers. If Tatum can continue playing at such a high level, he is on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer and a Boston great. The 76ers might have messed up by trading up for Markelle Fultz instead of Tatum, but here we are.
