Considering we aren’t even halfway through the 2015-16 NBA season it’s pretty obvious that it is way too early to know for sure exactly how the 2015 NBA Draft should have went down. However, we do have a big enough sample size to make some minor adjustments to where this year’s rookie class should have been selected based on a combination of early production and potential moving forward. Here is a look at our breakdown for a way too early top five NBA Re-Draft for the 2015 class.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl Anthony Towns
There is no doubt based on talent and potential moving forward that the Timberwolves got it right when they made Towns the No. 1 overall pick for the 2015 NBA Draft. Towns has thrived early on in his rookie season, averaging 15.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.0 assist per game and if he continues to produce at this pace he will follow in the footsteps of his teammate Andrew Wiggins as this year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award winner. Towns is the best player in his draft class and there is no reason to think that will change moving forward to future seasons as he continues to develop in to an elite NBA center.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Kristaps Porzingis
It’s amazing to look back now and see Knicks fans boo and complain about New York’s selection of Porzingis with the fourth-overall pick because the 20-year-old has thrived in his rookie season with flashes of his potential to become an elite power forward at the NBA level. Porzingis has averaged 13.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.0 blocks per game through the first few months of his NBA career and his elite combination of size, shooting ability and intelligence means he has the potential to become a superstar for the Knicks as he continues to mature and develop in to a complete player.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Jahlil Okafor
The 76ers are the second team on this list already that nailed its top pick in the 2015 NBA Draft as Okafor has already shown that he has the potential to be a dominant big man and franchise cornerstone for years to come. Okafor has averaged 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 assists while getting every opportunity to play big minutes for Philadelphia in his rookie season and while Porzingis might have more potential as a versatile big man that can do it all there is no doubt he wouldn’t have been on the board at No. 3 according to our re-draft so Okafor is a solid pick at this slot.
4. New York Knicks – D’Angelo Russell
According to our re-draft the Knicks wouldn’t have been able to draft Porzingis and that means they would likely take Russell at No. 4. There is no doubt that Russell has the potential to become an elite playmaker at the NBA level but he has been brought along slowly by a Los Angeles team that feels very comfortable starting Jordan Clarkson over him while letting Russell come off the bench and considering the Lakers are looking at the long-term picture with no problem tanking that actually makes a lot of sense for this season. Russell still has the potential to be a star but based on what we know right now he shouldn’t have been drafted higher than fourth-overall.
5. Orlando Magic – Myles Turner
The Magic don’t regret taking a chance on European Mario Hezonja but they might have been happier had they chosen Turner with the fifth-overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Turner’s numbers haven’t been outstanding by any means in limited minutes for the Indiana Pacers but he has shown a strong touch around the basket at the offensive end of the floor and he has the potential to become an elite NBA center with all of the raw qualities that teams look for at the five spot.
