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Complex
Pick 30: Los Angeles Lakers - Frank Ntilikina (Original pick: Josh Hart)
The last (first round) pick of the Phil Jackson era in New York has not been great. Defensively is where his game shines, but his career 5.9 PPG on 35% shooting is horrendous. To restart his NBA career, why not put him in L.A. to get some bench minutes while backing up Fox.
Pick 29: San Antonio Spurs - Markelle Fultz (Original pick: Derrick White)
Let’s have fun. Fultz has not lived up to the hype of being the number one overall pick, and that’s being generous. In two seasons, he’s played 33 games, putting up 8.2 PPG and shot 41% from the field. It’s been a rough start to his NBA career, but if anyone can find value in Fultz’s game, it’s Gregg Popovich.
Pick 28: Utah Jazz - Semi Ojeleye (Original pick: Tony Bradley)
At pick 28, you’re not looking for someone who can start or put up 15 per game. You’re taking someone who has shown potential and could be a depth piece down the road. Ojeleye fits that description for the Jazz. After playing in 129 games in his first two seasons, Ojeleye put up 3 PPG on 48% eFG%
Pick 27: Los Angeles Lakers - D.J. Wilson (Original pick: Kyle Kuzma)
After a horrendous rookie season, Wilson showed solid improvements in his second season in Milwaukee. He played in 48 games putting up 5.8 PPG on 41% shooting. The 6-10 forward showed the ability to stretch the floor as well, averaging 1 3PM per game.
Pick 26: Portland Trail Blazers - Harry Giles (Original pick: Caleb Swanigan)
After missing his entire rookie season with an injury, Giles came into 2018 and showed flashes of potential. His defensive numbers need improvement, but in 58 games, Giles put up 7 points on 50% shooting. He needs to improve a lot of facets of his game, but the potential is worth the late first round pick.
Pick 25: Philadelphia 76ers - Justin Jackson (Original pick: Anžejs Pasečņiks)
After being traded to Dallas mid season, Jackson finished out his 2019 campaign averaging 8.2 PPG on 48% shooting. The 15th pick in the draft hasn’t lived up to expectations yet, but could potentially find solid minutes and make an impact on the 76ers’ diluted bench.
Pick 24: Denver Nuggets - Terrance Ferguson (Original pick: Tyler Lydon)
The Nuggets are in a position to go best player available, and of those remaining, Ferguson has the most points and highest winshare total. He’s not going to make a huge impact on the Nuggets’ current roster, but is a great depth guy to have.
Pick 23: Toronto Raptors - OG Anunoby (Original pick: OG Anunoby)
This pick stays the same. Anunoby is a big part of the future for the Raptors, especially with Kawhi Leonard leaving for the Clippers. He's still very raw but he oozes potential and he has a lot of promise as a star defensive player for a long time to come.
Pick 22: Brooklyn Nets - Damyean Dotson (Original pick: Jarrett Allen)
Brooklyn goes BPA (Best Player Available) here. They have several talented players but also only 20 wins last season entering this draft. Why not take a 6-foot-6 guard that can help all around. While not a popular name, in 2018-19 he shot 36.8% from deep on 4.7 attempts per game and posted 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.8 steals per game.
Pick 21: Oklahoma City Thunder - Josh Jackson (Original pick: Terrance Ferguson)
Jackson took a steep fall from originally being the fourth pick to being the 21st pick here. He just hasn't worked out, on either side of the ball. However, he oozes potential and would get to play for well-respected college coach Billy Donovan who knows how to get players to reach their potential. If Josh could even start to touch that, along with Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo actually meshing, that would be a fun trio with Steven Adams manning the middle.
Pick 20: Sacramento Kings - Zach Collins (Original pick: Harry Giles)
There's nothing wrong with Giles' game and I almost had this pick stay the same. However, his body is made of peanut brittle and so easily snaps, making me look past him here. I kept the Kings pick of a front court player in place and went with Zach. He's shown ability as a stretch big (see 33.1 percent accuracy on 234 attempts) and also promise as a rim protector (0.9 blocks in 17.6 minutes in 2018-19).
Pick 19: Atlanta Hawks - Dillon Brooks (Original pick: John Collins)
With veteran front court pair Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard and Dennis Schroder looking good as the starting point guard, the Hawks select Dillon to bulk up their wing rotation. As a rookie, he shot 35.6% from deep and averaged 11 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.9 steals per game. He'd also have the privilege of learning from Kent Bazemore which could help his game all around.
Pick 18: Indiana Pacers - Malik Monk (Original pick: TJ Leaf)
In a winning environment, things could look a lot different for Malik than what his career has shown so far in Charlotte. He's an explosive guard that can provide some solid scoring off the bench. The Pacers biggest need in this draft was a shooting guard and he fills that role perfectly.
Pick 17: Milwaukee Bucks - Dennis Smith Jr. (Original pick: DJ Wilson)
Milwaukee needed another guard to bring in alongside Malcolm Brogdon to play with Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez in the starting lineup. They add to their athleticism with the selection of a high flyer who in the right environment could become a star on the Bucks. He's averaged 14.5 points, 5 assists and 1.1 steals so far in his career.
Pick 16: Minnesota Timberwolves - Jordan Bell (Original pick: Justin Patton)
The Wolves stick with a front court pick but grab someone that helps on the defensive end and would be a nice piece next to star big man Karl-Anthony Towns. Although his career stats thus far don't stand out, he is efficient (57% FG) and in 16 starts he's put up 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. Also, they clearly have interest as the team just brought him in as a free agent this real-time summer.