What Was and What Should Have Been in the NBA Draft
Ever wonder what it would be like if we can do an NBA Draft over after watching players perform in the league for a few years? Josh Cohen looked back at each draft between 2000 and 2008 and decided to project how each draft would turn out if they were redone.
The projections, however, are not based on the needs of the team at the time of that draft. They, in contrast, are simply ordered based on how the players have performed since entering the league. For instance, in 2003, the Detroit Pistons probably didn’t have a spot for Dwyane Wade with the second pick since Richard Hamilton controlled that position at the time. But in these projections, the selections are based on the quality of the player, not how they would have fit with each individual team at the time.
2000
The Way It Was:
1) New Jersey Nets: Kenyon Martin
2) Vancouver Grizzlies: Stromile Swift
3) Los Angeles Clippers: Darius Miles
4) Chicago Bulls: Marcus Fizer
5) Orlando Magic: Mike Miller
6) Atlanta Hawks: DerMarr Johnson
7) Chicago Bulls: Chris Mihm (traded to Cleveland)
8) Cleveland Cavaliers: Jamal Crawford (traded to Chicago)
9) Houston Rockets: Joel Przybilla (traded to Milwaukee)
10) Orlando Magic: Keyon Dooling (traded to L.A. Clippers)
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) New Jersey Nets: Kenyon Martin
2) Vancouver Grizzlies: Michael Redd
3) Los Angeles Clippers: Hedo Turkoglu
4) Chicago Bulls: Jamal Crawford
5) Orlando Magic: Mike Miller
6) Atlanta Hawks: Joel Przybilla
7) Chicago Bulls: Morris Peterson
8) Cleveland Cavaliers: Quentin Richardson
9) Houston Rockets: DeShawn Stevenson
10) Orlando Magic: Keyon Dooling
2001
The Way It Was:
1) Washington Wizards: Kwame Brown
2) Los Angeles Clippers: Tyson Chandler (traded to Chicago)
3) Atlanta Hawks: Pau Gasol (traded to Vancouver)
4) Chicago Bulls: Eddy Curry
5) Golden State Warriors: Jason Richardson
6) Vancouver Grizzlies: Shane Battier
7) New Jersey Nets: Eddie Griffin (traded to Houston)
8) Cleveland Cavaliers: DeSagana Diop
9) Detroit Pistons: Rodney White
10) Boston Celtics: Joe Johnson
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Washington Wizards: Pau Gasol
2) Los Angeles Clippers: Joe Johnson
3) Atlanta Hawks: Tony Parker
4) Chicago Bulls: Gilbert Arenas
5) Golden State Warriors: Zach Randolph
6) Vancouver Grizzlies: Gerald Wallace
7) New Jersey Nets: Richard Jefferson
8) Cleveland Cavaliers: Jason Richardson
9) Detroit Pistons: Mehmet Okur
10) Boston Celtics: Tyson Chandler
2002
The Way It Was:
1) Houston Rockets: Yao Ming
2) Chicago Bulls: Jay Williams
3) Golden State Warriors: Mike Dunleavy Jr.
4) Memphis Grizzlies: Drew Gooden
5) Denver Nuggets: Nikoloz Tskitishvili
6) Cleveland Cavaliers: Dajuan Wagner
7) New York Knicks: Nene (traded to Denver)
8) Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Wilcox
9) Phoenix Suns: Amar’e Stoudemire
10) Miami Heat: Caron Butler
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Houston Rockets: Yao Ming
2) Chicago Bulls: Amar’e Stoudemire
3) Golden State Warriors: Carlos Boozer
4) Memphis Grizzlies: Caron Butler
5) Denver Nuggets: Tayshaun Prince
6) Cleveland Cavaliers: Nene
7) New York Knicks: Luis Scola
8) Los Angeles Clippers: Mike Dunleavy Jr.
9) Phoenix Suns: John Salmons
10) Miami Heat: Matt Barnes
2003
The Way It Was:
1) Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
2) Detroit Pistons: Darko Milicic
3) Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony
4) Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh
5) Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade
6) Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman
7) Chicago Bulls: Kirk Hinrich
8) Milwaukee Bucks: T.J. Ford
9) New York Knicks: Michael Sweetney
10) Washington Wizards: Jarvis Hayes
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
2) Detroit Pistons: Dwyane Wade
3) Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony
4) Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh
5) Miami Heat: David West
6) Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman
7) Chicago Bulls: Kendrick Perkins
8) Milwaukee Bucks: Mo Williams
9) New York Knicks: Josh Howard
10) Washington Wizards: Kirk Hinrich
2004
The Way It Was:
1) Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard
2) Charlotte Bobcats: Emeka Okafor
3) Chicago Bulls: Ben Gordon
4) Los Angeles Clippers: Shaun Livingston
5) Washington Wizards: Devin Harris (traded to Dallas)
6) Atlanta Hawks: Josh Childress
7) Phoenix Suns: Luol Deng (traded to Chicago)
8) Toronto Raptors: Rafael Araújo
9) Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala
10) Cleveland Cavaliers: Luke Jackson
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard
2) Charlotte Bobcats: Al Jefferson
3) Chicago Bulls: Andre Iguodala
4) Los Angeles Clippers: Josh Smith
5) Washington Wizards: Ben Gordon
6) Atlanta Hawks: Kevin Martin
7) Phoenix Suns: Luol Deng
8) Toronto Raptors: Jameer Nelson
9) Philadelphia 76ers: Emeka Okafor
10) Cleveland Cavaliers: Anderson Varejao
2005
The Way It Was:
1) Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Bogut
2) Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Williams
3) Utah Jazz: Deron Williams
4) New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul
5) Charlotte Bobcats: Raymond Felton
6) Portland Trail Blazers: Martell Webster
7) Toronto Raptors: Charlie Villanueva
8) New York Knicks: Channing Frye
9) Golden State Warriors: Ike Diogu
10) Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Bynum
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Milwaukee Bucks: Chris Paul
2) Atlanta Hawks: Deron Williams
3) Utah Jazz: Danny Granger
4) New Orleans Hornets: Andrew Bogut
5) Charlotte Bobcats: Andrew Bynum
6) Portland Trail Blazers: David Lee
7) Toronto Raptors: Monta Ellis
8) New York Knicks: Charlie Villanueva
9) Golden State Warriors: Raymond Felton
10) Los Angeles Lakers: Francisco Garcia
2006
The Way It Was:
1) Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani
2) Chicago Bulls: LaMarcus Aldridge (traded to Portland)
3) Charlotte Bobcats: Adam Morrison
4) Portland Trail Blazers: Tyrus Thomas (traded to Chicago)
5) Atlanta Hawks: Shelden Williams
6) Minnesota Timberwolves: Brandon Roy (traded to Portland)
7) Portland Trail Blazers: Randy Foye (traded to Minnesota)
8) Houston Rockets: Rudy Gay (traded to Memphis)
9) Golden State Warriors: Patrick O’Bryant
10) Seattle Sonics: Mouhamed Sene
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Toronto Raptors: Brandon Roy
2) Chicago Bulls: Rajon Rondo
3) Charlotte Bobcats: LaMarcus Aldridge
4) Portland Trail Blazers: Rudy Gay
5) Atlanta Hawks: Andrea Bargnani
6) Minnesota Timberwolves: Paul Millsap
7) Portland Trail Blazers: Randy Foye
8) Houston Rockets: J.J. Redick
9) Golden State Warriors: Tyrus Thomas
10) Seattle Sonics: Ronnie Brewer
2007
The Way It Was:
1) Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Oden
2) Seattle Sonics: Kevin Durant
3) Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford
4) Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley Jr.
5) Boston Celtics: Jeff Green (traded to Seattle)
6) Milwaukee Bucks: Yi Jianlian
7) Minnesota Timberwolves: Corey Brewer
8) Charlotte Bobcats: Brandan Wright (traded to Golden State)
9) Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah
10) Sacramento Kings: Spencer Hawes
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Portland Trail Blazers: Kevin Durant
2) Seattle Sonics: Al Horford
3) Atlanta Hawks: Joakim Noah
4) Memphis Grizzlies: Jeff Green
5) Boston Celtics: Greg Oden
6) Milwaukee Bucks: Glen Davis
7) Minnesota Timberwolves: Jared Dudley
8) Charlotte Bobcats: Rudy Fernandez
9) Chicago Bulls: Al Thornton
10) Sacramento Kings: Thaddeus Young
2008
The Way It Was:
1) Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose
2) Miami Heat: Michael Beasley
3) Minnesota Timberwolves: O.J. Mayo (traded to Memphis)
4) Seattle Sonics: Russell Westbrook
5) Memphis Grizzlies: Kevin Love (traded to Minnesota)
6) New York Knicks: Danilo Gallinari
7) Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon
8) Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Alexander
9) Charlotte Bobcats: D.J. Augustin
10) New Jersey Nets: Brook Lopez
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose
2) Miami Heat: Russell Westbrook
3) Minnesota Timberwolves: O.J. Mayo
4) Seattle Sonics: Brook Lopez
5) Memphis Grizzlies: Kevin Love
6) New York Knicks: Danilo Gallinari
7) Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon
8) Milwaukee Bucks: Courtney Lee
9) Charlotte Bobcats: J.J. Hickson
10) New Jersey Nets: Michael Beasley
Ever wonder what it would be like if we can do an NBA Draft over after watching players perform in the league for a few years? Josh Cohen looked back at each draft between 2000 and 2008 and decided to project how each draft would turn out if they were redone.
The projections, however, are not based on the needs of the team at the time of that draft. They, in contrast, are simply ordered based on how the players have performed since entering the league. For instance, in 2003, the Detroit Pistons probably didn’t have a spot for Dwyane Wade with the second pick since Richard Hamilton controlled that position at the time. But in these projections, the selections are based on the quality of the player, not how they would have fit with each individual team at the time.
2000
The Way It Was:1) New Jersey Nets: Kenyon Martin
2) Vancouver Grizzlies: Stromile Swift
3) Los Angeles Clippers: Darius Miles
4) Chicago Bulls: Marcus Fizer
5) Orlando Magic: Mike Miller
6) Atlanta Hawks: DerMarr Johnson
7) Chicago Bulls: Chris Mihm (traded to Cleveland)
8) Cleveland Cavaliers: Jamal Crawford (traded to Chicago)
9) Houston Rockets: Joel Przybilla (traded to Milwaukee)
10) Orlando Magic: Keyon Dooling (traded to L.A. Clippers)
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) New Jersey Nets: Kenyon Martin
2) Vancouver Grizzlies: Michael Redd
3) Los Angeles Clippers: Hedo Turkoglu
4) Chicago Bulls: Jamal Crawford
5) Orlando Magic: Mike Miller
6) Atlanta Hawks: Joel Przybilla
7) Chicago Bulls: Morris Peterson
8) Cleveland Cavaliers: Quentin Richardson
9) Houston Rockets: DeShawn Stevenson
10) Orlando Magic: Keyon Dooling
2001
The Way It Was:1) Washington Wizards: Kwame Brown
2) Los Angeles Clippers: Tyson Chandler (traded to Chicago)
3) Atlanta Hawks: Pau Gasol (traded to Vancouver)
4) Chicago Bulls: Eddy Curry
5) Golden State Warriors: Jason Richardson
6) Vancouver Grizzlies: Shane Battier
7) New Jersey Nets: Eddie Griffin (traded to Houston)
8) Cleveland Cavaliers: DeSagana Diop
9) Detroit Pistons: Rodney White
10) Boston Celtics: Joe Johnson
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Washington Wizards: Pau Gasol
2) Los Angeles Clippers: Joe Johnson
3) Atlanta Hawks: Tony Parker
4) Chicago Bulls: Gilbert Arenas
5) Golden State Warriors: Zach Randolph
6) Vancouver Grizzlies: Gerald Wallace
7) New Jersey Nets: Richard Jefferson
8) Cleveland Cavaliers: Jason Richardson
9) Detroit Pistons: Mehmet Okur
10) Boston Celtics: Tyson Chandler
2002
The Way It Was:1) Houston Rockets: Yao Ming
2) Chicago Bulls: Jay Williams
3) Golden State Warriors: Mike Dunleavy Jr.
4) Memphis Grizzlies: Drew Gooden
5) Denver Nuggets: Nikoloz Tskitishvili
6) Cleveland Cavaliers: Dajuan Wagner
7) New York Knicks: Nene (traded to Denver)
8) Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Wilcox
9) Phoenix Suns: Amar’e Stoudemire
10) Miami Heat: Caron Butler
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Houston Rockets: Yao Ming
2) Chicago Bulls: Amar’e Stoudemire
3) Golden State Warriors: Carlos Boozer
4) Memphis Grizzlies: Caron Butler
5) Denver Nuggets: Tayshaun Prince
6) Cleveland Cavaliers: Nene
7) New York Knicks: Luis Scola
8) Los Angeles Clippers: Mike Dunleavy Jr.
9) Phoenix Suns: John Salmons
10) Miami Heat: Matt Barnes
2003
The Way It Was:1) Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
2) Detroit Pistons: Darko Milicic
3) Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony
4) Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh
5) Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade
6) Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman
7) Chicago Bulls: Kirk Hinrich
8) Milwaukee Bucks: T.J. Ford
9) New York Knicks: Michael Sweetney
10) Washington Wizards: Jarvis Hayes
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
2) Detroit Pistons: Dwyane Wade
3) Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony
4) Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh
5) Miami Heat: David West
6) Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman
7) Chicago Bulls: Kendrick Perkins
8) Milwaukee Bucks: Mo Williams
9) New York Knicks: Josh Howard
10) Washington Wizards: Kirk Hinrich
2004
The Way It Was:1) Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard
2) Charlotte Bobcats: Emeka Okafor
3) Chicago Bulls: Ben Gordon
4) Los Angeles Clippers: Shaun Livingston
5) Washington Wizards: Devin Harris (traded to Dallas)
6) Atlanta Hawks: Josh Childress
7) Phoenix Suns: Luol Deng (traded to Chicago)
8) Toronto Raptors: Rafael Araújo
9) Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala
10) Cleveland Cavaliers: Luke Jackson
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard
2) Charlotte Bobcats: Al Jefferson
3) Chicago Bulls: Andre Iguodala
4) Los Angeles Clippers: Josh Smith
5) Washington Wizards: Ben Gordon
6) Atlanta Hawks: Kevin Martin
7) Phoenix Suns: Luol Deng
8) Toronto Raptors: Jameer Nelson
9) Philadelphia 76ers: Emeka Okafor
10) Cleveland Cavaliers: Anderson Varejao
2005
The Way It Was:1) Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Bogut
2) Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Williams
3) Utah Jazz: Deron Williams
4) New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul
5) Charlotte Bobcats: Raymond Felton
6) Portland Trail Blazers: Martell Webster
7) Toronto Raptors: Charlie Villanueva
8) New York Knicks: Channing Frye
9) Golden State Warriors: Ike Diogu
10) Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Bynum
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Milwaukee Bucks: Chris Paul
2) Atlanta Hawks: Deron Williams
3) Utah Jazz: Danny Granger
4) New Orleans Hornets: Andrew Bogut
5) Charlotte Bobcats: Andrew Bynum
6) Portland Trail Blazers: David Lee
7) Toronto Raptors: Monta Ellis
8) New York Knicks: Charlie Villanueva
9) Golden State Warriors: Raymond Felton
10) Los Angeles Lakers: Francisco Garcia
2006
The Way It Was:1) Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani
2) Chicago Bulls: LaMarcus Aldridge (traded to Portland)
3) Charlotte Bobcats: Adam Morrison
4) Portland Trail Blazers: Tyrus Thomas (traded to Chicago)
5) Atlanta Hawks: Shelden Williams
6) Minnesota Timberwolves: Brandon Roy (traded to Portland)
7) Portland Trail Blazers: Randy Foye (traded to Minnesota)
8) Houston Rockets: Rudy Gay (traded to Memphis)
9) Golden State Warriors: Patrick O’Bryant
10) Seattle Sonics: Mouhamed Sene
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Toronto Raptors: Brandon Roy
2) Chicago Bulls: Rajon Rondo
3) Charlotte Bobcats: LaMarcus Aldridge
4) Portland Trail Blazers: Rudy Gay
5) Atlanta Hawks: Andrea Bargnani
6) Minnesota Timberwolves: Paul Millsap
7) Portland Trail Blazers: Randy Foye
8) Houston Rockets: J.J. Redick
9) Golden State Warriors: Tyrus Thomas
10) Seattle Sonics: Ronnie Brewer
2007
The Way It Was:1) Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Oden
2) Seattle Sonics: Kevin Durant
3) Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford
4) Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley Jr.
5) Boston Celtics: Jeff Green (traded to Seattle)
6) Milwaukee Bucks: Yi Jianlian
7) Minnesota Timberwolves: Corey Brewer
8) Charlotte Bobcats: Brandan Wright (traded to Golden State)
9) Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah
10) Sacramento Kings: Spencer Hawes
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Portland Trail Blazers: Kevin Durant
2) Seattle Sonics: Al Horford
3) Atlanta Hawks: Joakim Noah
4) Memphis Grizzlies: Jeff Green
5) Boston Celtics: Greg Oden
6) Milwaukee Bucks: Glen Davis
7) Minnesota Timberwolves: Jared Dudley
8) Charlotte Bobcats: Rudy Fernandez
9) Chicago Bulls: Al Thornton
10) Sacramento Kings: Thaddeus Young
2008
The Way It Was:1) Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose
2) Miami Heat: Michael Beasley
3) Minnesota Timberwolves: O.J. Mayo (traded to Memphis)
4) Seattle Sonics: Russell Westbrook
5) Memphis Grizzlies: Kevin Love (traded to Minnesota)
6) New York Knicks: Danilo Gallinari
7) Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon
8) Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Alexander
9) Charlotte Bobcats: D.J. Augustin
10) New Jersey Nets: Brook Lopez
The Way It Should Have Been:
1) Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose
2) Miami Heat: Russell Westbrook
3) Minnesota Timberwolves: O.J. Mayo
4) Seattle Sonics: Brook Lopez
5) Memphis Grizzlies: Kevin Love
6) New York Knicks: Danilo Gallinari
7) Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon
8) Milwaukee Bucks: Courtney Lee
9) Charlotte Bobcats: J.J. Hickson
10) New Jersey Nets: Michael Beasley
