NBA Re-Draft 2018: Where Would Top Picks Land in a Do-Over Scenario?
Looking back at the 2018 NBA Draft class, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically our perceptions have shifted in just a few years. When I first watched these young prospects walk across that stage, I thought we had a pretty clear picture of their potential trajectories. But basketball development rarely follows our neatly laid-out projections, and now we're faced with the fascinating exercise of re-imagining that entire draft night with the benefit of hindsight. The 2018 class has produced some genuine superstars, several solid rotation players, and unfortunately, a few notable misses that would certainly get corrected in a do-over scenario.
If we're being completely honest, the Phoenix Suns would be kicking themselves for passing on Luka Dončić in this hypothetical redraft. I've watched countless international prospects come through the league, but Luka's immediate impact was something special. The Slovenian sensation would undoubtedly go first overall to Phoenix instead of Deandre Ayton, who while productive, simply hasn't reached Dončić's stratospheric level. Luka put up 28.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.8 assists last season – numbers we haven't seen from a young player since the Oscar Robertson era. The Suns' timeline would have accelerated dramatically with Dončić running their offense, potentially making them contenders years earlier than they eventually became with their actual roster construction.
The Sacramento Kings at number two present an interesting dilemma. While Marvin Bagley III showed flashes during his tenure there, the organization would likely opt for Trae Young in our revised scenario. I've always been fascinated by how certain players transform entire franchises, and Young's offensive gravity would have been perfect for Sacramento's system. His 25.3 points and 9.4 assists per game last season demonstrate his elite playmaking ability, though his defensive limitations remain a concern. The Kings might have avoided their prolonged playoff drought with Young's dynamic scoring and distribution, creating a much different narrative for the franchise throughout these past few seasons.
At pick number three, the Atlanta Hawks would face a difficult choice between Jaren Jackson Jr. and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Personally, I'd lean toward SGA here – his two-way potential and remarkable improvement each season makes him incredibly valuable. His scoring jumped from 10.8 points as a rookie to 31.4 last season, one of the most dramatic improvements I've witnessed in recent memory. The Memphis Grizzlies originally selected him 11th overall before trading him to Oklahoma City, a move that looks increasingly questionable as SGA develops into a legitimate MVP candidate. His combination of length, scoring efficiency, and defensive versatility would give Atlanta a foundational piece to build around for the next decade.
The fourth pick becomes particularly intriguing when we consider team needs and player development. The Memphis Grizzlies originally took Jaren Jackson Jr. here, and in our redraft, I believe they'd stick with that selection. Jackson's defensive impact is genuinely special – he led the league with 3.0 blocks per game last season while maintaining respectable three-point shooting at 35.5%. His ability to protect the rim and space the floor is exactly what modern NBA teams covet in their big men. Having watched his development closely, I'm convinced he'd still be an excellent fit alongside Ja Morant in Memphis's high-paced system.
Now, here's where things get really interesting from my perspective. The fifth selection originally belonged to Dallas, who traded up to select Trae Young before immediately shipping him to Atlanta for Luka Dončić. In our redraft, with both those players off the board, Dallas would likely target Mikal Bridges. His defensive versatility and efficient scoring would have been perfect alongside their remaining pieces. Bridges has developed into a legitimate two-way threat, averaging 20.1 points while typically guarding the opponent's best perimeter player. His improvement reminds me of players like Kawhi Leonard early in their careers – not flashy, but consistently effective on both ends.
The Orlando Magic at six would almost certainly take Collin Sexton over Mo Bamba. Sexton's scoring punch – he averaged 24.3 points in his third season – would provide much-needed offensive creation for Orlando. While his playmaking needs development, his aggressive scoring mentality would have given the Magic a different dimension during their rebuilding years. I've always appreciated Sexton's fearless approach, even if it sometimes leads to questionable shot selection. That kind of confidence can be contagious for a young team finding its identity.
As we move into the later lottery picks, the Chicago Bulls would likely select Michael Porter Jr. seventh overall instead of Wendell Carter Jr. Porter's scoring efficiency is remarkable when healthy – he's consistently shot above 40% from three-point range throughout his career. His health concerns would still give teams pause, but his offensive upside is simply too significant to pass up at this point in the draft. Having watched him develop in Denver, I'm convinced he'd thrive as a primary scoring option in Chicago's system.
The Cleveland Cavaliers at eight present another fascinating decision point. Originally selecting Sexton here, they'd now likely target Robert Williams III. His defensive presence and elite finishing around the rim would have complemented their backcourt perfectly. Williams averaged 2.2 blocks in just 29.6 minutes per game last season, demonstrating remarkable per-minute defensive impact. His health has been inconsistent, but when available, he transforms a team's interior defense in ways that remind me of a young Tyson Chandler.
The New York Knicks at nine would almost certainly take Anfernee Simons over Kevin Knox. Simons' development into a dynamic scorer and playmaker – he averaged 21.1 points and 4.1 assists last season – would have given New York the backcourt creator they've desperately needed. I've been particularly impressed with his improved three-point shooting and ability to create his own shot, skills that typically command premium value in today's NBA.
Looking back at this entire exercise, what strikes me most is how dramatically team fortunes could have shifted with different selections. The 2018 class has produced multiple franchise cornerstones and several high-level starters, demonstrating exceptional depth compared to many draft classes I've evaluated over the years. While we can't actually rewrite history, this thought experiment reveals just how unpredictable player development can be, and how much fortune factors into building a successful NBA roster. The gap between pre-draft projections and actual NBA performance remains significant, which is precisely what makes the draft both endlessly fascinating and perpetually unpredictable for analysts like myself who've spent years studying these patterns.