Like the 2016 NBA Draft, the 2017 NBA Draft class turned out incredible All-stars, MVP candidates, and role players. Additionally, the class has numerous draft busts who disappointed in relation to their draft position. With nearly eight years since the 2017 NBA Draft, here is a redrafting of the 2017 NBA Draft lottery.
Redrafting The 2017 NBA Draft Lottery
Pick #1: Jayson Tatum
Actual Pick: Markelle Fultz
The Philadelphia 76ers originally chose Markelle Fultz with the 1st pick, however, in this redraft, Jayson Tatum takes his place for 1st. Similar to his co-star, Jaylen Brown, Tatum has developed into one of the best wings in the NBA. Not only that, but he has been a candidate for league MVP for the past couple of seasons. His ability to do pretty much anything on the court well helped the Celtics win the 2024 NBA Championship. Additionally, Tatum had led the Celtics to multiple deep playoff runs before their win in 2024. Undoubtedly, with the championship and the numerous accolades he achieved, including four All-NBA teams, Tatum goes 1st in this redraft.
Pick #2: Donovan Mitchell
Actual Pick: Lonzo Ball
The Los Angeles Lakers took Lonzo Ball with the 2nd pick, but Donovan Mitchell goes in his place for this redraft. Unquestionably, Mitchell has been one of the best players to come from this draft class. Specifically, his elite ability to score the ball on all three levels has earned him multiple All-Star appearances. Furthermore, Mitchell’s name has been thrown into the MVP race. Mitchell has led his teams to multiple playoff appearances and general regular season success. In the same fashion as Tatum, Mitchell’s successes and achievements have pushed above his original draft slot.
Pick #3: Bam Adebayo
Actual Pick: Jayson Tatum
Bam Adebayo takes Tatum’s place for 3rd, and his play in the league certainly earned his jump to the top three. Particularly, Adebayo’s ability to anchor a defense at an elite level has earned him acclaim in the form of three All-Star appearances. Not only that, but he also earned five consecutive All-Defensive selections and has been a contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award for several seasons. Significantly, Adebayo has helped Jimmy Butler, who has been in trade talks recently, lead the Miami Heat to multiple finals appearances. Needless to say, Adebayo has shown that he has been one of the better players from this draft. Due to that, he jumps to 3rd.
Pick #4: De’Aaron Fox
Actual Pick: Josh Jackson
De’Aaron Fox takes Josh Jackson‘s spot at 4th in this redraft, and Fox is a massive upgrade from the original pick. Fox earned this spot due to his ability to score at a high level, especially in clutch situations. Fox has averaged more than 20 points over the past five full seasons and is currently averaging 26.4 points. In that time, Fox has earned an All-Star selection and the Clutch Player of the Year award. Alongside his teammate, Domantas Sabonis, Fox has been able to lead the Kings back into the postseason. Due to those accomplishments, Fox moves up one spot in this redraft.
Pick #5: Lauri Markkanen
Actual Pick: De’Aaron Fox
Lauri Markkanen takes Fox’s spot at 5th due to his impressive resurgence as a player in recent years. Specifically, Markkanen has shown vast improvement in his overall game in Utah. With the Jazz, the Finnish forward became an all-star and the Most Improved Player in the 2022-2023 season. Markkanen has developed into one of the better scorers in the NBA and one of the better big-man shooters. Given his rise to stardom with the Utah Jazz and general improvement to his game, Markkanen has earned his rise to the top five.
Pick #6: Derrick White
Actual Pick: Jonathan Isaac
One of the major risers in this redraft is Derrick White, who replaces Jonathan Isaac at the 6th pick. The reason for his jump was his ability to be a Swiss army knife out on the court and to do so at an incredibly high level. He can do pretty much anything on the court and on both sides of the floor. His defensive abilities have been recognized as he has multiple All-Defensive selections. Not only that, but he has shown himself as a clutch player, even in the playoffs. White was a crucial role player for the Celtics for multiple deep playoff runs, including their title run in 2024. Given what White has done for the Celtics, it is an easy call to put him at 6th for this redraft of the 2017 NBA Draft lottery.
Pick #7: OG Anunoby
Actual Pick: Lauri Markkanen
OG Anunoby takes the jump to Markkanen’s spot at 7th from 23rd because of his capabilities as an elite two-way wing. Anunoby can defend the best wings in the NBA at an All-Defensive level, and he can score on all three levels on the other end. On offense specifically, Anunoby has improved his offensive game to the point where he is nearly averaging 18 points per game while still being the defensive wing-stopper for the Knicks. Anunoby has also been a positive contributor to the Knicks and, previously the Raptors during the playoffs. Given his great capabilities as one of the most coveted role players in the league, Anunoby jumps comfortably to 7th in this redraft.
Pick #8: Jarrett Allen
Actual Pick: Frank Ntilikina
Jarrett Allen takes Frank Ntilikina‘s spot at 8th, making a major jump from 22nd in the original draft. Allen makes this jump because he developed into one of the better defensive bigs in the NBA. He has been in Defensive Player of the Year conversations and has been good enough to gain an all-star appearance at the All-Star game. He has played a big part in Cleveland’s resurgence as a playoff contender in the east. Due to his achievements, he earned his spot at 8th.
Pick #9: Malik Monk
Actual Pick: Dennis Smith Jr.
Malik Monk moves up two spots to 9th, overtaking Dennis Smith Jr. in this redraft. Monk makes this jump because he has developed into one of the best sixth men in the league. He can easily score on all three levels and do so efficiently. Since joining the team in 2022, Monk has brought instant energy and offense to the Kings with his scoring. Not only that, but he has also developed his playmaking, making him an even deadlier option off the bench. Due to his offensive capabilities, Monk has been in the Sixth Man of the Year race for the past couple of seasons. He nearly won the award last season, coming in second behind Naz Reid. His development into one of the best offensive sparkplugs in the NBA earns him 9th for this redraft.
Pick #10: Isaiah Hartenstein
Actual Pick: Zach Collins
Isaiah Hartenstein is the first player in this redraft to make the jump from the second round to the lottery. He replaces Zach Collins for 10th due to his defensive capabilities as well as his advanced passing at his position. He has become one of the better defensive bigs in the NBA, providing good rim protection using his fluidity and athleticism. Not only that, but he is unique amongst other centers in that he is an advanced passer who has great court vision. Despite a small sample size, Hartenstein has been a big contributor to the Thunder and a perfect fit with their system. He has even proven his worth in the playoffs. Due to these reasons, Hartenstein moves up in this redraft of the 2017 NBA Draft lottery.
Pick #11: Josh Hart
Actual Pick: Malik Monk
Josh Hart takes the place of Monk in this redraft, jumping from 30th to 11th. This jump is due to his development into one of the better role players in the league. He provides hard-nose defense, and Hart has become one of the best rebounders for his size at 6-foot-4, averaging 8.1 rebounds in the past three seasons. Also, Hart has become a better three-point shooter this season, making him an excellent 3-and-D option for the Knicks. His development and skills give him a major bump in this redraft.
Pick #12: Kyle Kuzma
Actual Pick: Luke Kennard
Kyle Kuzma, similar to his former teammate in Hart, makes a major jump to 12th. He overtakes Luke Kennard for 12th due to his versatile style of play. He can score, defend, rebound, and pass at an above-average level. Kuzma also used his varied skill set to help the Lakers to the first seed in the West during the Bubble season, where the Lakers won their first title since 2010. He earns his spot due to those factors.
Pick #13: John Collins
Actual Pick: Donovan Mitchell
John Collins moves up six spots to 13th, taking Mitchell’s spot in this redraft. The reason Collins moves up is due to his ability to score the ball on all three levels, rebound well, and provide decent defense. For a chunk of his career, he was the “co-star” next to Trae Young, helping him lead the Hawks to a conference finals run in 2021. While he has moved on to Utah, Collins has shown that he can still put up numbers without Young. Given his production, Collins gets to move up from 19th.
Pick #14: Dillon Brooks
Actual Pick: Bam Adebayo
Dillon Brooks is the second player in this redraft to jump from the second round to the first. The reasoning for this is that Brooks provides tough defense against the better wings of the league. Impressively, in the 2022-23 season, Brooks earned All-Defensive honors. Not only that, but Brooks can score on all three levels. Even though Brooks can be inconsistent and erratic against opponents, he has certainly earned the jump to 14th in this redraft of the 2017 NBA Draft lottery.
