The 2016 NBA Draft produced multiple stars throughout the first round and a handful of disappointing picks. With the 2016 NBA Draft nearing its 10-year anniversary, here is a redraft of the 2016 NBA Draft lottery.
Redrafting the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery
Pick #1: Jaylen Brown
Actual Pick: Ben Simmons
While Ben Simmons was originally selected first by the Philadelphia 76ers, Jaylen Brown takes his place in this redraft. Brown has developed into one of the best wings in the NBA and has the accolades to back it up. His ability to play both sides of the ball at a high level allowed him to help lead the Celtics to their first title since 2008. Furthermore, his impressive performance in the Eastern Conference Finals, and frankly, the playoffs as a whole, got him the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award. Not only that, but his excellent play won him Finals MVP as well. Undoubtedly, with his skill and talent, Brown has firmly taken his place as the best player from this draft and the first pick in this redraft.
Pick #2: Domantas Sabonis
Actual Pick: Brandon Ingram
Domantas Sabonis takes the place of Brandon Ingram as the 2nd pick in this redraft. By and large, the son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis has developed into one of the best bigs in the NBA. Without a doubt, Sabonis is a threat to achieve a triple-double every night. Additionally, he can and has quarterbacked the offense of a team, serving as the offensive hub. He has also developed into a scorer capable of getting buckets on all three levels. Furthermore, his level of play in Sacramento helped the Kings get into the playoffs after a 16-year-long drought. Given these points, Sabonis has moved himself up into the top three in this redraft.
Pick #3: Pascal Siakam
Actual Pick: Jaylen Brown
Pascal Siakam makes a major jump in this redraft, as his skill and versatility have made him one of the best forwards in the league. Similar to Brown, Siakam can play both sides of the ball and score on all three levels. He can both rebound and pass at a high level. His abilities allowed him to become an all-star and play an important role in the Raptors winning the 2019 NBA Championship. Specifically, he served as the second scoring option next to Kawhi Leonard on that team. Due to all this, the original 27th overall pick has risen into the top five in this draft.
Pick #4: Brandon Ingram
Actual Pick: Dragan Bender
Ingram falls to 4th on this list, but he is still an immensely talented scorer in the league. He has developed into a lethal scorer and a proficient playmaker at his position. Ingram has also led the Pelicans into the postseason multiple times without Zion Williamson to help him. That includes an impressive series versus the 64-win Phoenix Suns, where he took them to six. While Ingram has had injury issues and is embroiled in trade talks, that doesn’t excuse his talent. Without a doubt, Ingram is a massive upgrade over Dragan Bender and still worthy of being in the top five of the lottery.
Pick #5: Jamal Murray
Actual Pick: Kris Dunn
Jamal Murray moves up a couple of spots in this redraft, and he deserves to be in the top five despite never becoming an All-Star up to this point. He has perfectly slotted in as the second star in Denver next to Nikola Jokic. He has shown he can score on all three levels at an impressive level and play make for others. In the playoffs, Murray has risen to the occasion multiple times, including in a spectacular championship run in 2023. Due to his play, Murray moves up to the 5th pick in this redraft.
Pick #6: Dejounte Murray
Actual Pick: Buddy Hield
The Murrays go back-to-back as Dejounte Murray moves up to 6th in place of Buddy Hield. The reason for that is Murray’s ability to be an elite two-way player at the guard position. Not only that, but he can stuff the stat sheet as he is a good rebounder and playmaker for his position. He is a three-level scorer who loves operating in the mid-range. He is a great guard defender with excellent positional size. The one-time All-Star has been a Swiss army knife in his career, and for that, it moves him up.
Pick #7: Ben Simmons
Actual Pick: Jamal Murray
Ben Simmons takes a hard fall to 7th as, despite his immense talent, he has majorly disappointed for several seasons. He has excellent court vision and defensive skills. During his time in Philadelphia, Simmons was an elite defender who made two All-Defensive teams and three All-Star teams. He is still a good defender today, but his athleticism has looked diminished. Another thing that has been reduced has been his scoring. Simmons hardly looks to score for himself anymore. Despite all that, Simmons still possesses significant talent in his passing and defense.
Pick #8: Jakob Poeltl
Actual Pick: Marquese Chriss
Jakob Poeltl moves up one spot in this redraft as he replaced Marquese Chriss for 8th. He has been one of the better centers in the league who can serve as a defensive anchor and elite rebounder. Not only that, but he has improved his offense to the point where he has been a consistent double-digit scorer over the past four seasons. Given his talent and improvement over the years, it is a no-brainer to take Poeltl over Chriss when redrafting the 2016 NBA Draft lottery.
Pick #9: Caris LeVert
Actual Pick: Jakob Poeltl
Caris LeVert takes Poeltl’s spot at 9th as he has been an excellent role player in the league. Particularly, he has shown that he can score at all three levels and do it well. He has found his niche as a talented sixth man and spot starter. Not only can he score, but he can also facilitate offense as well. Defensively, he has shown that he can put in the effort to be a tough defender. All these aspects have helped the Cavaliers to be the best team in the NBA this season. Given the positives he has shown, LeVert moves up 11 spots in this redraft.
Pick #10: Ivica Zubac
Actual Pick: Thon Maker
Ivica Zubac is the first player in this redraft to jump from the second round to the first. However, Zubac deserves the jump, as he has been one of the better-starting centers in the league. He has been a force on the glass, a solid defensive presence, and a good scorer. This season, Zubac has averaged a double-double and is one of the most important players on the Clippers’ roster. Without a doubt, Zubac is a much better pick over Thon Maker at 10th.
Pick #11: Buddy Hield
Actual Pick: Domantas Sabonis
Hield slides down to 11th, but he is still an amazing player. His three-point shooting ability is among the best in the league. He can light it up from anywhere on the court. Hield has immense gravity because of it. He isn’t the best defender nor has he been impactfully in the playoffs. However, the fact that he is one of the best shooters in NBA history keeps him in this redraft of the 2016 Draft lottery.
Pick #12: Fred VanVleet
Actual Pick: Taurean Prince
The first undrafted player on this redraft is Fred VlanVleet, and he jumps directly into the lottery. VanVleet became an excellent guard off the bench for the Raptors when they won the championship. His three-point shooting and playmaking proved valuable, and they allowed him to fully slot in as a starter for both the Raptors and, later, the Rockets. Also, he developed into an All-Star, which is more than what could be said for some of the original lottery picks. Given his development into a star, he has earned the massive jump into the lottery over Taurean Prince.
Pick #13: Malcolm Brogdon
Actual Pick: Georgios Papagiannis
The second player to jump from the second round to the first is Malcolm Brogdon. He has carved out a role in the NBA as a talented point guard who doesn’t make mistakes. Brogdon can easily score on all three levels and play make for others. He is also solid defensively. Sadly, injuries have had a major hold on his career. However, that did not stop him from winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in the 2022-23 season, Due to his talent, he easily replaces Georgios Papagiannis as the 13th pick.
Pick #14: Alex Caruso
Actual Pick: Denzel Valentine
The second undrafted player to jump into the lottery is Alex Caruso. He has developed into one of the best 3-and-D guards in the NBA. His defense has been so impressive that he has earned multiple All-Defensive honors. He has also developed into a capable three-point shooter and passer. Without a doubt, Caruso’s talent and accomplishment push him into the lottery in this redraft over Denzel Valentine.
