2018 NBA Re-Draft: Would Luka Doncic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go No. 1?
Few draft classes in the 2000s have produced as much talent as the 2018 NBA Draft.
It produced MVP candidates such as Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It produced All-Stars such as Trae Young and Jaren Jackson Jr. It produced NBA champions such as Michael Porter Jr. and Bruce Brown.
But it also produced players who didn't live up to expectations. And with hindsight being 20/20, here's how a redraft of the lottery for the 2018 NBA Draft would likely play out, according to The Oklahoman's Joe Mussatto and Justin Martinez:
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Redrafting the 2018 NBA Draft lottery
1. Phoenix Suns: Luka Doncic
Actual pick: Deandre Ayton
The Suns hired a Slovenian head coach in Igor Kokoskov and then made the mind-numbing decision to pass on the Slovenian superstar in Doncic.
In Phoenix’s defense, Deandre Ayton was a key starter on the Suns’ 2021 NBA Finals run. But the Ayton era ended badly and Doncic is on a legendary trajectory.
- Joe Mussatto
2. Sacramento Kings: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Actual pick: Marvin Bagley III
Sacramento missed the mark terribly by selecting Marvin Bagley III, who only made 69 starts in four seasons with the team.
Gilgeous-Alexander would've been the right choice. He'd form one of the most lethal backcourt duos in today's NBA alongside De'Aaron Fox.
- Justin Martinez
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3. Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young
Actual pick: Luka Doncic (Traded to Dallas)
The Hawks picked Young at No. 5 after trading No. 3 to Dallas, where the Mavericks wisely selected Doncic.
I was tempted to go Jalen Brunson over Young here, but Young took the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals and I’m imagining a world where Atlanta doesn’t make the Dejounte Murray trade.
- Mussatto
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Jalen Brunson
Actual pick: Jaren Jackson Jr.
I can't in good conscience let Brunson get passed up on twice in this redraft.
Memphis is surely happy with its actual selection of Jackson, but Brunson's game is on an entirely different level. And since this was before Ja Morant's arrival in 2019, selecting Brunson as the successor to Mike Conley would've been a good move by Memphis.
- Martinez
5. Dallas Mavericks: Mikal Bridges
Actual pick: Trae Young (Traded to Atlanta)
I don’t think Dallas would approve of this redraft.
There’s a mighty steep cliff after the top-four. I’ll go with Bridges, a premier 3-and-D option who’s best deployed as just that, not as a No. 1 guy as we’ve seen in Brooklyn.
- Mussatto
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6. Orlando Magic: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Actual pick: Mo Bamba
Aside from being the title of a Sheck Wes song, Mo Bamba's time in the NBA hasn't been very memorable.
Orlando would've been ecstatic about landing Jackson. He would've been the Magic's defensive anchor, taking pressure off of Nikola Vucevic and allowing him to focus on getting buckets.
- Martinez
7. Chicago Bulls: Michael Porter Jr.
Actual pick: Wendell Carter Jr.
Porter might have the purest jumper in this class.
He’s the perfect complementary fit in Denver, but I’d be curious to see what he would’ve looked like in Chicago with a bigger role.
- Mussatto
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Deandre Ayton
Actual pick: Collin Sexton
Even though Ayton hasn't done much to improve his game throughout his time in the NBA, he boasts career averages of 16.7 points and 10.5 rebounds.
That's not bad at pick No. 8 for the Cavaliers, whose most promising young center at the time was a second-year Ante Zizic.
- Martinez
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9. New York Knicks: Robert Williams III
Actual pick: Kevin Knox
Among the 60 players drafted, Williams ranks 36th in minutes played between Keita Bates-Diop and Chimezie Metu.
In taking Williams here, I’m crossing my fingers for better injury luck. It’s a silly stat, but Williams ranks No. 1 in this draft class in win shares per 48 minutes.
- Mussatto
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Collin Sexton
Actual pick: Mikal Bridges
Collin Sexton would've been a fan favorite in Philadelphia.
While Markelle Fultz struggled to live up to lofty expectations, Sexton would've been a spark plug off the bench with a toughness that fits the city. He has averaged 18.9 points on 38.3% shooting from deep throughout his career, which is good value at pick No. 10.
- Martinez
11. Charlotte Hornets: Grayson Allen
Actual pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Traded to the Los Angeles Clippers)
Allen is a career 41% 3-point shooter who shot a league-leading 46% this season. I’m sure Duke fans would’ve OK’d this pick.
- Mussatto
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12. Los Angeles Clippers: Anfernee Simons
Actual pick: Miles Bridges
Anfernee Simons is no Gilgeous-Alexander, who Los Angeles ultimately acquired on draft night.
Still, I wonder how Simons would've developed if he was given the keys to an offense right away as opposed to being Damian Lillard's understudy. Simons averaged career highs of 22.6 points and 5.5 assists this season, so the potential is clearly there.
- Martinez
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Donte DiVincenzo
Actual pick: Jerome Robinson
Not the flashiest pick, but DiVincenzo has been a solid rotation player in each of his four NBA stops. This season with the Knicks was the best of DiVincenzo’s career.
- Mussatto
14. Denver Nuggets: Bruce Brown
Actual pick: Michael Porter Jr.
Brown shined during his lone season with Denver in 2022-23, and the team won its first championship in franchise history.
Missing out on Porter in this redraft is tough. But Denver would be happy to get some extra years of Brown's services.
- Martinez
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 2018 NBA Draft do-over. Is it Luka Doncic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
