Imagine a world where every player in the NBA no longer belonged to any team and were all subject to the NBA draft, essentially turning this into a real-life NBA fantasy draft pick event. Yes, that means Lebron James is eligible to be drafted by any team who is lucky enough to land the number one pick – if they decide to use it on him. Based on a randomized number generator, all 30 teams were assigned a position in the first round of this never-ever-but-what-if NBA draft. The 30 general managers of each team, for the sake of this experiment, consisted of 30 NBA writers, editors, and fanatics. Here are the NBA’s top five players along with their respective teams if the league started from scratch. Oh, what a sight that would be, not having the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
#1 – Lebron James, New York Knicks
The best player in the world’s greatest city. Even at the age of 32, LeBron James is still the best player in the NBA. However, if you were drafting for the next five years, you’d likely take Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook, or Anthony Davis over James. However, this is solely for the purposes of the upcoming season, and we wouldn’t want anyone else but The King. James’ impact on court is second to none as no NBA player possesses the combination of elite scoring, unmatched playmaking, superior efficiency, and lockdown defense (when he wants to). James is the type of player to elevate the rest of the players on the roster and we know he’ll relish the spotlight playing for the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden.
#2 – Kevin Durant, Los Angeles Clippers
While Kevin Durant could have easily been the number one pick in this dream draft, we had to give it to James. Fresh off a dominating NBA Finals performance and at the age of 28, Durant is showing no signs of slowing down. What’s even more impressive is the coming off of Durant’s true defensive prowess along with his unbelievable efficiency. The LA Clippers are desperate for a franchise altering player, and Durant is the perfect player for the franchise. With a nightmare matchup for any defensive player coupled with his length and athleticism, the Clippers surely won’t be blowing this year’s draft.
#3 – Kawhi Leonard, Indiana Pacers
Kawhi Leonard is the best two-way player in the NBA, no ifs, ands, or buts. His absurd efficiency, suffocating defense, and willingness to play within a team setting makes him the ideal player for the Indiana Pacers. At the age of 26, Leonard is only going to get better, even though that might not seem possible since he’s basically rid himself of all of his flaws. Leonard is definitely the most unselfish superstar in the NBA and what Pacers should be considering him a steal with the third overall pick.
#4 – Anthony Davis, Atlanta Hawks
Having played his entire NBA career for the lowly New Orleans Pelicans, Anthony Davis will be able to receive a fresh start after being selected fourth overall by the Atlanta Hawks. If the purposes of this draft had ramifications for the next five years, you could be sure that at least a quarter of the teams out there would have selected Davis with the first overall pick. Davis makes building a team around him seem like a process that anyone is capable of, due to his ability to serve either as an offensive powerhouse or a defensive anchor, while being able to play both the power forward and center positions. At only 24 years old, the sky’s the limit for Davis.
#5 – Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Remaining with the same team as in real life, Russell Westbrook has clearly shown leaps in the leadership category as well as the ability to make his teammates better. Without having to play under the shadow of Durant (the real-life version), Westbrook is the clear franchise player, with no one jostling for the keys to the franchise. Mr. Triple Double will continue to wreck havoc as the de facto number one go-to guy for the Oklahoma City Thunder – just the way Westbrook likes it.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
