#2] LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS –
TONY PARKER / FRANCE / PG
Size: 6-2 180
’05 team needs: PG, C
Actual selection: TYSON CHANDLER
Analysis: In terms of PER, Parker is consistently in the top tier of the league and is arguably one of the four or five players at his position. He’s also already won a few NBA titles, has been producing at a high level for a number of years and is still only 27 years old. Like Gasol, he also came over from Europe and immediately because a starter at an extremely young age. And in terms of production over the course of a career, Parker probably has everyone else in the class beat.
Career Stats: (16.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1 SPG, .490 FG%, 612 GP)

#3] ATLANTA HAWKS –
JOE JOHNSON / ARKANSAS / SG
Size: 6-7 225
’05 team needs: PF, SG
Actual selection: PAU GASOL
Analysis: The Hawks traded this pick away, along with Lorenzen Wright and Brevin Knight, to the Grizzlies for Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Big Mistake. Ending up with Gasol was obviously a steal of a deal for Memphis, but with his off the board under this scenario; grabbing Joe Johnson would make a lot of sense. Atlanta ended up with him a few years later via free agency. For the Grizzlies, he’d help transition the team from a lottery regular to a playoff contender, much like he did for the Hawks.
Career Stats: (17.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1 SPG, .789 FT%, 623 GP)

#4] CHICAGO BULLS –
GILBERT ARENAS / ARIZONA / CG
Size: 6-3 195
’05 team needs: SF, SG
Actual selection: EDDIE CURRY
Analysis: Arenas has as much star-power as anyone in the class, but he’s played in just over 65% of his teams regular season games over the course of his career, including most of the past two seasons. But in the games he’s played, he’s been extremely productive and his easily the best scorer in the class. He’s also young enough to assume that he’ll have many more years of productivity and is the type of marketable personality that attracts ticket holders.
Career Stats: (22.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, .809 FT%, 433 GP)

#5] GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS –
RICHARD JEFFERSON / ARIZONA / SF
Size: 6-7 220
’05 team needs: SG, SF
Actual selection: JASON RICHARDSON
Analysis: Richardson was a good pick here for the Warriors, but Jefferson may have actually been better. According to PER and VA, both players are very close over the course of their careers, but Jefferson has improved more than Richardson over the years. Jefferson’s also a solid defender when he wants to be and is consistent enough to be a good second option everywhere he plays. He’s a player that will never be a superstar, but is still very, very good.
Career Stats: (17.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1 SPG, .781 FT%, 571 GP)

#6] MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES –
JASON RICHARDSON / MICHIGAN STATE / SG
Size: 6-6 215
’05 team needs: SG, PF
Actual selection: SHANE BATTIER
Analysis: Battier wasn’t a bad pick, either, but Richardson is a couple years younger and a more explosive athlete, so he’s the pick here. Richardson actually turned out to be a better player than most expected and, in the right system, has the ability to be an outstanding scorer and outside shooter. For a team like the Grizzlies, who have a long ways to go before competing, Richardson would have been a nice fit because of his long-term potential.
Career Stats: (18.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1,072 3-PT FG’S, 592 GP)

#7] NEW JERSEY NETS –
MEMHET OKUR / TURKEY / C
Size: 6-11 255
’05 team needs: PF, SG
Actual selection: EDDIE GRIFFIN
Analysis: The Nets were fortunate enough to trade this Griffin to Houston in exchange for a package that included Richard Jefferson. That obviously worked out well. In this case, however, Okur wouldn’t be such a bad consolation prize. The Nets already had Kenyon Martin at power forward, but had a serious lack of size in the middle. Enter Okur, who has been a very solid, durable, offensive big man since entering the league a year later, in 2002.
Career Stats: (14 PPG, 7.2 RPG, .795 FT%, .377 3-PT FG%, 531 GP)

#8] CLEVELAND CAVALIERS –
SHANE BATTIER / DUKE / SF
Size: 6-8 220
’05 team needs: C, SF
Actual selection: DESAGANA DIOP
Analysis: Battier has been fairly productive over the course of his career, but he doesn’t have the long-term potential and career longevity of some of the younger guys in class. He is, however, the best defensive player in the class and does a little bit of everything on the offensive end of the floor. His maturity and leadership ability would help aid the rebuilding effort in Cleveland and is the consummate professional any NBA team would appreciate.
Career Stats: (10 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1 BPG, .388 FT%, 618 GP)

#9] DETROIT PISTONS –
ZACH RANDOLPH / MICHIGAN STATE / PF
Size: 6-9 265
’05 team needs: PF, SG
Actual selection: RODNEY WHITE
Analysis: On production alone, Randolph would probably be taken higher than this spot. But he’s notoriously selfish and doesn’t play any defense. Still, he’s a huge talent offensively. He can score rather effortlessly on the low-block and has a jumper with range out to 20 feet. And on a team such as the Pistons, with a veteran frontcourt including Ben Wallace, Michael Curry and Jerome Williams, Randolph likely would be as destructive to the locker room as he has been elsewhere.
Career Stats: (16.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, .770 FT%, 506 GP)

#10] BOSTON CELTICS –
TYSON CHANDLER / DOMINQUEZ HS / C
Size: 7-1 235
’05 team needs: C, SF
Actual selection: JOE JOHNSON
Analysis: The C’s ended up with Johnson here, but traded him away only a year later. Chandler took a few years to develop as a player and still isn’t an offensive force, but has size and can rebound and defend the paint – which is sometimes enough to get a player a spot in the top ten. With a desperate need for size, the Celtics would have certainly given him a long look here. He’s still only 26 years old and, if he can stay healthy, should be in the NBA another decade.
Career Stats: (8.2 PPG, 9 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1 APG, .556 FG%, 537 GP)

#11] BOSTON CELTICS –
GERALD WALLACE / ALABAMA / SF
Size: 6-7 215
’05 team needs: C, SF
Actual selection: KEDRICK BROWN
Analysis: Meanwhile, Wallace was developing his game on an established playoff team in Sacramento. He didn’t see much playing time until year four, when the Bobcats selected him in the expansion draft. Since then his game has really taken off and he’s now, at only 26 years old, one of the premier players at his position. But he’s had a difficult time staying healthy throughout his career, which has limited his productivity on the court.
Career Stats: (12.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1 BPG, 468 GP)

#12] SEATTLE SUPERSONICS –
EDDY CURRY / THORNWOOD HS / C
Size: 6-11 305
’05 team needs: PF, SG
Actual selection: VLADIMIR RADMANOVIC
Analysis: Like Randolph, Curry has a very good low-post scorer which, combined with his size, should put him higher in this exercise. But he doesn’t play any defense whatsoever and his conditioning, low-running motor and inability to rebound, despite his size, puts a limit on his production and upside as a player. He also doesn’t posses the hustle, grit and toughness you’d expect from someone with his size.
Career Stats: (13.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, .546 FG%, 504 GP)

#13] HOUSTON ROCKETS –
TROY MURPHY / NOTRE DAME / PF
Size: 6-11 245
’05 team needs: PF, C
Actual selection: RICHARD JEFFERSON
Analysis: Instead of trading for Eddie Griffin, taking Murphy here would be a better choice for the Rockets. Murphy is a rugged rebounder, but isn’t a great defender. Despite his size, which is ideal for the NBA power forward position, he often gets outmuscled and overpowered by lesser players, despite this advantage. But he has quite the package offensively. He’s an outstanding shooter with range and can also take the ball to the hole or post up against smaller defenders.
Career Stats: (11.7 PPG, 8.4 RPG, .785 FT%, .397 3-PT%, 549 GP)

#2] CHICAGO BULLS –
AMARE STOUDEMIRE / CYPRESS CREEK HS / PF
Size: 6-10 245
’05 team needs: PG, PF
Actual selection: JAY WILLIAMS
Analysis: Some may think that I undervalue Stoudemire – and that may be true to an extent – but I’m just not a huge fan. He’s not the most durable player in the league, he doesn’t defend and his attitude is questionable at best. That being said, he’s arguably the best talent in the class and is still an All-Star caliber player when he wants to be. I wouldn’t build a team around him, but he’s still good enough to be a star in this league.

#3] GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS –
CARLOS BOOZER / DUKE / PF
Size: 6-9 255
’05 team needs: C, PF
Actual selection: MIKE DUNLEAVY, JR.
Analysis: Boozer’s actually the low-post bruiser the Warriors have lacked over the years and would have been a better pick here than his college teammate, Mike Dunleavy. I’d personally rather have Caron Butler because of Boozer’s durability issues, but Boozer’s PER and EWA still beats Butler’s over the course of their careers, so that’s difficult to ignore. There’s absolutely no way Boozer should have slipped into the second round after scouts had three years to watch him play at Duke.

#4] MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES –
CARON BUTLER / CONNECTICUT / SF
Size: 6-7 230
’05 team needs: SF, SG
Actual selection: DREW GOODEN
Analysis: Gooden looked like he’d have a very productive career during his rookie season, but he lost focus somewhere along the way. Now he’s best known for his whacky facial hair. Plus, the Grizzlies already had a power forward named Pau Gasol. Butler, on the other hand, is an All-Star caliber player and is one of the better wing forwards in the entire league, when healthy. Jerry West had some disappoint draft picks while in Memphis, and passing on Butler is an example of that.

#5] DENVER NUGGETS –
TAYSHAUN PRINCE / KENTUCKY / SF
Size: 6-9 205
’05 team needs: SF, PF
Actual selection: NICKOLOZ TSKITISHVILI
Analysis: Another great example of a GM swinging for the fences. Some believe Kiki Vandeweghe took a kid he knew was going to be a project in the attempt to have the league’s worst record and, thus, the best shot at LeBron James in 2003. Prince, however, was a late first round steal and would have aided the rebuilding effort. He would have also given the Nuggets an excuse to pass on Carmelo Anthony in ’03 and perhaps taken Chris Bosh instead.

#6] CLEVELAND CAVALIERS –
NENE HALARIO / BRAZIL / PF
Size: 6-11 250
’05 team needs: SG, PF
Actual selection: DEJUAN WAGNER
Analysis: I remember being completely shocked when I heard Wagner’s name at this spot while watching the ’03 draft. The Cavs front office must have bought into the idea that was being tossed around that Wagner was the next Allen Iverson. He’s out of the league now. Nene, however, would have given the Cavaliers the inside presence they had with Boozer and he would have likely stayed around much longer, too.

#7] NEW YORK KNICKS –
JOHN SALMONS / MIAMI / SG
Size: 6-7 215
’05 team needs: C, SG
Actual selection: NENE HALARIO
Analysis: The Knicks foolishly traded this pick, along with Marcus Camby and Mark Jackson, to Denver for Antonio McDyess and a throw-away draft pick. ESPN reported that former GM Scott Layden had “side stepped the firing squad” with that move. But had they instead taken Salmons and kept Camby, they would have been much more competitive during the Isiah Thomas years.

#8] LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS –
MIKE DUNLEAVY, JR. / DUKE / SF
Size: 6-9 215
’05 team needs: PG, SG
Actual selection: CHRIS WILCOX
Analysis: This isn’t because his dad’s the coach, but because Dunleavy is actually the next best player in the class and the Clippers would have a nice combo on the wing with he and Corey Maggette. If a point guard were available, they’d likely go that direction because they’d need an eventual replacement for Sam Cassell. But there just isn’t anybody available that would justify being taken in the top ten.

#9] PHOENIX SUNS –
DREW GOODEN / KANSAS / PF
Size: 6-9 250
’05 team needs: PF, C
Actual selection: AMARE STOUDEMIRE
Analysis: Most thought Stoudemire would be a year or two away from contributing, but he went on to win Rookie of the Year honors and has continued to emerge as a superstar in the league. As mentioned above, Gooden had a very solid rookie season, but it’s all gone down hill from there. He’s now one on the free agent market looking for left over scraps after other free agents signed lucrative long-term contracts.

#10] MIAMI HEAT –
CHRIS WILCOX / MARYLAND / PF
Size: 6-10 235
’05 team needs: SF, PG
Actual selection: CARON BUTLER
Analysis: Interestingly, it was reported that the Clippers almost drafted Caron Butler, instead of Wilcox, and shipped him and Lamar Odom to Cleveland for Andre Miller. But negotiations broke down. Under this scenario, the Heat ends up with Wilcox because Butler is already off the board. And he has actually been a halfway decent payer, except Pat Riley would have much rather had Caron Butler to package with Lamar Odom just a year later in exchange for Shaq.

#11] WASHINGTON WIZARDS –
NENAD KRSTIC / SERBIA / C
Size: 6-11 245
’05 team needs: C, SF
Actual selection: JARED JEFFRIES
Analysis: After the top ten, things start to get really sketchy in the class. Krstic didn’t come over right away, took his game to Russia for a few months, and has had some durability issues along the way, but he’s a solid big man when healthy. That much gets him a nod here, where the Wizards have had issues ever since Chris Webber was traded away. Jeffries was a hot name around the time of the actual draft, but has never lived up to his full potential.

#12] LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS –
UDONIS HASLEM / FLORIDA / PF
Size: 6-9 240
’05 team needs: PG, SG
Actual selection: MELVIN ELY
Analysis: Haslem surprisingly went undrafted after starting for three years at Florida, which is just another example of a player who is undervalued largely because he took the full college experience rather than coming out early. He’s been a fairly decent, but not great, interchangeable forward for the Miami Heat during his career in the NBA. And sometimes this late in the lottery, that’s about as much as you can expect to get out of a player.

#13] MILWAUKEE BUCKS –
MATT BARNES/ UCLA / SF
Size: 6-7 210
’05 team needs: PF, C
Actual selection: MARCUS HAISLIP
Analysis: Barnes was a second rounder who, after a successful career at UCLA, probably should have at least gone in the mid to late first round. He’s been all over the league – and even spent some time in the D league – but he’s carve a niche as a hustle guy who flies up and down the court and can actually score at a fairly efficient rate. He’s not a perfect fit for everyone, but I like him quite a lot better than the rest of the remaining field and certainly better than Haislip.

#14] INDIANA PACERS –
LUIS SCOLA / ARGENTINA / PF
Size: 6-9 245
’05 team needs: SG, C
Actual selection: FRED JONES
Analysis: Scola didn’t come to the NBA until four years after being drafted in the second round by the Spurs, but he probably would have been worth the wait for the Pacers. Freddie Jones never did anything spectacular in the league and Scola is a good, solid big man with loads of professional experience under his belt. If anything else, they could’ve used Scola’s draft rights as a valuable trading chip, but like the Spurs did.

#2] DETROIT PISTONS –
DWAYNE WADE / MARQUETTE / SG
Size: 6-4 210
’05 team needs: C, SG
Actual selection: DARKO MILICIC
Analysis: We’re going from perhaps the least-questioned draft selection in league history to arguably the most-questioned. To think that Detroit could have had its choice of D-Wade, Melo or Bosh here makes it even worse. This is why it’s sometimes better to go with the safe pick rather than swing for the fences. Pistons boss Joe Dumars had a championship team and wanted a star who could have bridged the gap between the old and young players. But he passed on thee All-Stars he passed on who could have done just that. Ouch!

#3] DENVER NUGGETS –
CARMELO ANTHONY / SYRACUSE / SF
Size: 6-8 235
’05 team needs: SF, C
Actual selection: SAME
Analysis: Undoubtedly, there are those out there who will say that the Nuggets should have unequivocally taken Chris Bosh here over Melo – and people are free to have that opinion. But I think the Nuggets made the right call here, despite the fact that EWA, VA and PER are all currently in favor of Bosh. Carmelo made an immediate impact, while Bosh took a year or so to develop, and he’s also a better all-around offensive player.

#4] TORONTO RAPTORS –
CHRIS BOSH / GEORGIA TECH / PF
Size: 6-10 215
’05 team needs: PF, PG
Actual selection: SAME
Analysis: Under this scenario, the Raptors go with Bosh, who has turned out to be everything they had hoped for and more. Few could have envisioned that a tall, skinny kid who didn’t even dominate during his one year of college would turn out to be such a terrific NBA player. If Darko is the reason against swinging for the fences, Bosh is the reason for it. Bosh is already one of the best big men in the game and will be a perennial All-Star wherever he plays.

#5] MIAMI HEAT –
DAVID WEST / XAVIER / PF
Size: 6-9 240
’05 team needs: SG, PF
Actual selection: DWAYNE WADE
Analysis: The Miami Heat are the big losers under this scenario. Pat Riley needs to send Joe Dumars a fruit basket or something for setting a chain reaction that allowed one of four perennial All-Stars to slide to him here. But under this scenario, they still get an All-Star caliber forward in West, who has really blossomed as a player alongside Chris Paul in New Orleans. He wouldn’t be a perfect like Wade, but he’d be able to replace Lamar Odom, who was traded to Los Angeles.

#6] LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS –
JOSH HOWARD / WAKE FOREST / SF
Size: 6-7 210
’05 team needs: C, SF
Actual selection: CHRIS KAMAN
Analysis: The Clippers landed a very solid big man in Kaman, but wouldn’t Josh Howard have been a better choice? Aside from his questionable off-the-court habits, he’s turned out to be a terrific player and one of the real sleepers in the class. The Mavericks plucked Howard with the last pick in the first round back in 2003, and he’s since made an All-Star game appearance and would have to be considered one of the premier wing forwards in the league right now.

#7] CHIACGO BULLS –
KIRK HINRICH / KANSAS / CG
Size: 6-4 185
’05 team needs: PG, SG
Actual selection: SAME
Analysis: The Bulls knew exactly what they were getting when they drafted Hinrich and he’s consistency delivered. His ability to play both backcourt positions effectively and the fact that he produced from the first day on the job is why he gets the nod here. He’s also an ace defender, and when he wants to be, can be an outstanding scorer. There’s little doubt the Bulls made the right decision here.

#8] MILWAUKEE BUCKS –
MO WILLIAMS / ALABAMA / PG
Size: 6-1 190
’05 team needs: PG, PF
Actual selection: T.J. FORD
Analysis: As difficult as it would be for the Bucks to pass on Ford, Williams has probably had the better career. He’s been more durable and has had a higher ceiling for upside, culminating in an All-Star appearance this past season. Ford is the better playmaker, but we’d take Williams because of his complete body of work as a player. He was the true sleeper of the class and is still young enough that he’s likely to continue getting better.

#9] NEW YORK KNICKS –
T.J. FORD / TEXAS / PG
Size: 6-0 165
’05 team needs: SG, PF
Actual selection: MIKE SWEETNEY
Analysis: This was before Stephon Marbury turned into Mike Tyson, so it’s difficult to justify them taking Ford here. But the truth is, the two of them may have been able to play in the same backcourt and Ford would have likely been well liked by the fans. Instead, they went with Mike Sweetney and unfortunately had to rely on the likes of Shandon Anderson and Howard Eisley to start a large chunk of games in the backcourt the following season.

#10] WASHINGTON WIZARDS –
CHRIS KAMAN / CENTRAL MICHIGAN / C
Size: 7-0 255
’05 team needs: SG, PF
Actual selection: JAVIS HAYES
Analysis: Here’s an example of drafting for need over the best player available. Kaman wasn’t available here, and was anything but a sure thing, but Hayes wasn’t the best player available and the Wizards took him to fill a hole on the wing. Big mistake. Now, he’s had a decent career, but shouldn’t have been a lottery pick, let a lone top ten. Under this scenario, Kaman replaces Brendan Haywood in the middle and the Wizards build around him, Agent Zero, Butler and Jamison.

#11] GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS –
LEANDRO BARBOSA / BRAZIL / CG
Size: 6-3 175
’05 team needs: SF, C
Actual selection: MICKAEL PIETRUS
Analysis: Pietrus wasn’t a bad selection here, but Barbosa would have been better. His EWA, VA and PER are all better than Pietrus and his instant offense would have been an awesome fit with Don Nelson, who took over the coaching reigns in 2006. If I’m a Warriors fan, the thought of what could have been with a potential three-headed monster backcourt of Baron Davis, Jason Richardson and Barbosa is just too painful to think about. That could have been fun.

#12] SEATTLE SUPERSONICS –
BORIS DIAW / FRANCE / PF
Size: 6-9 220
’05 team needs: PG, PF
Actual selection: NICK COLLISON
Analysis: Instead of taking the polished collegiate veteran Nick Collison here, the relatively unknown Frenchmen would have been a much better option. He’s a versatile forward with a very solid all-around game, and he didn’t take a long time to develop as a player. Kendrick Perkins is still on the board here, but he took quite awhile to develop – and while he’s a terrific defender, his offensive game is still very limited.

#13] BOSTON CELTICS –
TRAVIS OUTLAW / STARKVILLE HS / SF
Size: 6-9 205
’05 team needs: C, SG
Actual selection: MARCUS BANKS
Analysis: The Celtics really needed a big man here, but went with Marcus Banks instead. So if they can go point guard, they can go with a forward with loads of upside in Outlaw. He’s shown that he can play, but has never been given the chance to become a full-time starter in Portland. Mickael Pietrus, because of his ability to defend and score, would have also made some sense, but he hasn’t had the durability and consistency to crack the lottery here.

#14] SEATTLE SUPERSONICS –
LUKE RIDNOUR / OREGON / PG
Size: 6-2 175
’05 team needs: PG, PF
Actual selection: SAME
Analysis: According to EWA and PER, it’s difficult to argue that the Sonics made the wrong decision taking Ridnour here. They needed a point guard to replace the departing Gary Payton and Ridnour has had a fairly steady career running the point. Because of the gaping whole inside, Zaza Pachulia would have also made a lot of sense here, as would Kendrick Perkins.

#2] CHARLOTTE BOBCATS –
AL JEFFERSON / PRESNTISS HS / PF
Size: 6-10 260
’05 team needs: PF, PG
Actual selection: EMEKA OKAFOR
Analysis: It’s kind of appalling to think of how many teams passed on Jefferson on draft day, while other high school kids such as Shaun Livingston were going in the top five. In terms of young big men in the league, only a few have shown a better combination of potential and production in their careers. There little doubt around theleague that Jefferson would be an All-Star on a playoff team, and in the right situation, could be a bonafide superstar.

#3] CHICAGO BULLS –
ANDRE IGUODALA / ARIZONA / SG
Size: 6-6 215
’05 team needs: SG, SF
Actual selection: BEN GORDON
Analysis: Iguodala is one of my favorites from this class because of his extreme athleticism and all-around game. If he had more opportunities to score, he too would be a superstar. The Bulls went for an undersized Ben Gordon at the two-guard position when they could have had Iguodala, who would have been a home state favorite in Chicago. Shameful.

#4] LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS –
DEVIN HARRIS / WISCONSIN / PG
Size: 6-3 180
’05 team needs: PG, SF
Actual selection: SHAUN LIVINGSTON
Analysis: For a team needing a point guard, Harris would be a perfect fit. It actually bothers me that Shaun Livingston was anointed before he had every done anything and his claim to fame with the simple fact that he was bigger than other point guards. In hindsight, Harris would have been a much better solution to L.A.’s point guard problem and he would have been ready to contribute from the first day on the job.

#5] WASHINGTON WIZARDS –
EMEKA OKAFOR / CONNECTICUT / PF
Size: 6-10 255
’05 team needs:
Actual selection: DEVIN HARRIS
Analysis: I actually like a few other players more than Okafor, but he’s been steady and he’s a mature big man who can make a difference on both ends of the floor, so it’s difficult to see him slide further than here. Though Okafor hasn’t had the career or long-term potential of Dwight Howard, I think he could be one of the most consistent players in the class for the next decade.

#6] ATLANTA HAWKS –
JOSH SMITH / OAK HILL ACADEMY / SF
Size: 6-9 230
’05 team needs: SF, PG
Actual selection: JOSH CHILDRESS
Analysis: The Hawks landed Smith later in the draft (No. 17), but they end up with him here under this scenario. People were ripping the Hawks for talking two small forwards (he and Josh Childress) in the first round, but it turned out pretty good, didn’t it? He might be a bit of a head-case, but he one of the most talented players in the class and once he matures and learns how to shoot the 3-ball, he could be scary good.

#7] CHIACGO BULLS –
LUOL DENG / DUKE / SF
Size: 6-8 220
’05 team needs: SG, SF
Actual selection: SAME
Analysis: In reality, the Bulls made the right move and snagged Deng here. He hasn’t shown the production we expected from him a few years ago, but he’s still incredibly young and is one of the better young wing forwards in the game. Over time, he’ll prove to be one of the best players from this class and is the type of selfless teammate that can help you win championships.

#8] TORONTO RAPTORS –
BEN GORDON / CONNECTICUT / SG
Size: 6-2 190
’05 team needs: SG, PF
Actual selection: RAFAEL ARAUJO
Analysis: Toronto would have to give Jameer Nelson a serious look, but with Rafer Alston at the point and Vince Carter on his way out, Gordon makes the most sense here. He’s a bit undersized for the two-guard position and doesn’t have size nor the dynamic all-around game Andre Iguodala does, he can flat-out score and has had near impeccable durability during his career.

#9] PHILADELPHIA 76ERS –
JAMEER NELSON / SAINT JOSEPH’S / PG
Size: 6-0 190
’05 team needs: PG, SG
Actual selection: ANDRE IGUODALA
Analysis: Having an All-Star fall to ninth is a first in doing these draft do-over’s, but Nelson has a lot of competition. He’s a terrific player on both ends of the floor and, in terms of production, has had one of the better careers out of anybody in this class. So why is he this low? Because, unfortunately, he was a 22-year old NBA-ready collegiate before coming into the league, so he probably doesn’t have the long-term potential other players are still in the processes of reaching.

#10] CLEVELAND CAVALIERS –
KEVIN MARTIN / WESTERN CAROLINA / SG
Size: 6-7 185
’05 team needs: PG, SF
Actual selection: LUKE JACKSON
Analysis: I like Biedrins better than Martin, but I might be the minority in that debate. Martin get’s the nod here, however, because the Cavaliers already had plenty of big men and Martin’s shooting ability would help stretch the defense and open the lane for LeBron. Until recently, King James didn’t have many scorers around him, but Martin would immediately keep defenses honest and away from double teams on the leagues reigning MVP.

#11] GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS –
ANDRIS BIEDRINS / LATVIA / C
Size: 6-11 235
’05 team needs: C, PG
Actual selection: SAME
Analysis: The fact that Biedrins is still available here is telling of talent and production found within this draft class. He’s still so young, yet has impressed on so many levels that he’s not only one of the league’s best young big men, but he continues to get better and hasn’t yet reached his ceiling. He just oozes with talent and is so impressive because he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make his presence felt. The Warriors did a good job grabbing him here.

#12] SEATTLE SUPERSONICS –
TREVOR ARIZA / UCLA / SF
Size: 6-8 210
’05 team needs: C, PF
Actual selection: ROBERT SWIFT
Analysis: Here’s what ESPN Insider Chad Ford wrote about the Sonics drafting Swift: “After suffering through so many stiffs in the middle, getting a real center with real potential is very solid.” What? Swift is the definition of the word “stiff” and, under this scenario; taking Ariza would’ve been a much better choice. Ariza is one of the league’s top-flight up-and-comers, while Swift is on his way out of the league. He’s one of the few blemishes on an otherwise impressive track record of former GM Rick Sund.

#13] PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS –
JOSH CHILDRESS / STANFORD / SF
Size: 6-7 205
’05 team needs: SF, PG
Actual selection: SEBASTIAN TELFAIR
Analysis: I’ve always wondered why Childress’ game was so highly regarded during his time in the NBA, but at least I’ll say that Portland would be ecstatic if they could find him available this late. Telfair was obviously drafted way too high, and way before he was ready to contribute, but Childress made a rather seamless transition to the NBA game and is only out of the league right now because of his own choosing.