Drafting players is far from an exact science, and many a GM has been second-guessed for his draft night decisions. I’m willing to bet that every team executive has at least one pick that he would like a mulligan for. While life, and the NBA, doesn’t allow for such opportunities, we at Hoops Rumors decided it would be fun to give our readers a second take at picking players, complete with the benefit of hindsight.
The first NBA Draft we’re tackling is 2013’s, the year that the Cavaliers surprised quite a few people when they nabbed UNLV forward Anthony Bennett with the No. 1 overall pick. Quite a number of talented players were in that year’s player pool, including Victor Oladipo, Nerlens Noel, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Rudy Gobert, just to rattle off a few.
In the weeks ahead, we’ll be posting a series of reader polls that will ask you to vote on the player whom you believe should have been selected with each pick. We’ll continue onward with the Wizards, who held the No. 3 overall pick that season. Readers, you are now on the clock! Cast your vote for Washington’s pick and check back tomorrow night for the results, as well as for your chance to vote for whom the Hornets should have taken at No. 4. But don’t limit yourself to a simple button click. Take to the comments section below and share your thoughts on the pick and why you voted the way that you did. Also, if I fail to list a player who you think should be selected, feel free to post that in the comments section and I’ll be certain to tally those votes as well.
Draft Results thus far:
- Cavaliers: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Magic: Victor Oladipo
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Sliding doors here. If Washington gets Noel, and he’s injured, would they have traded for Gortat? He was on an expiring contract, so probably yes. They probably wouldn’t have re-signed him last summer, though, meaning a fairly significant center would have been up for grabs.
Well, considering the possibility that the Cavs actually reached (at the time) for Antetokounmpo, and especially if they still got Wiggins, is there any chance they actually make that trade for Kevin Love? Even they wouldn’t have been that dumb
Hard to say. Having Antetokounmpo already on board would have negated the need for Wiggins somewhat. Plus…LeBron would have likely still wanted Love, and the Cavs are essentially at his mercy. So I still think they do that deal in this alternate reality.
And who would they have sent with Wiggins to Minnesota, in this scenario?
I think Noel looks like a bust. He can’t play a bit of offense and I think the defense may be overrated. My jump shot is as good as his and that’s not an exaggeration.
But it’s hard to know what he’d do on a a real NBA team instead of Philly. Regardless, I’m taking the Stifle Tower instead.
Did you not see what he did the last 37 games or so of the season?
No, I was watching the NBA instead.