What if players got to draft their teams? This is what it would look like. (Players chose in order of highest ranking)
- Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky
Knicks: Towns is from the New York area and would get a chance to make an impact for his hometown team right away. Additionally the freshman can take over as the face of the franchise in a couple of years when Carmelo Anthony leaves.
- Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
Cavaliers: Kevin Love may be departing this off-season giving Okafor a chance to play big minutes for a championship contender.
- D’Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State
Lakers: He will have to live with Kobe for one season but after that the former Buckeye will be on all the billboards in LA, well besides the ones with Blake and CP3.
- Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
Nets: The Latvian will get a chance to play for Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov.
- Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China (by way of USA and Congo)
Mavericks: The native Congan moved to the greater Dallas area when he was a kid and wanted to stay local and go to SMU before deciding to play his “freshman” year overseas. He will get his chance now.
- Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Bulls: Much like his Duke teammate Okafor, the national champion will get playing time right away on a championship quality team.
- Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia
Pistons: By some accounts he wants to play in Detroit, he’ll get his wish.
- Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Warriors: A defensive stud inside will fit in nicely with Golden State’s playing style.
- Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
Raptors: The Canadian gets to represent his home country by heading North.
- Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Clippers: Could help out LA’s better team at the 2 and the 3.
- Myles Turner, PF, Texas
Rockets: The Houston native can stay home and find playing time on one of the best teams out west.
- Stanley Johnson, SG, Arizona
Grizzlies: Memphis had Courtney Lee and Vince Carter running the 2, could use and upgrade; the Freshman Wildcat can provide it.
- Kelly Oubre, G, Kansas
Thunder: He can go along for the ride with Westbrook and Durant running the show until one of them leaves which gives him a year to develop before he has to play to vital of a role.
- Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Hawks: Team player that will go well with Atlanta team mentality.
- Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
Bucks: It will be too tempting for him to stay home.
- Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Wizards: Gets to play for a contender right away and will have a opportunity to start after a year when Paul Pierce retires.
- Montezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
Hornets: The North Carolina native will gets to go home to a good team fit.
- Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Kings: Would make a great front court combo with DeMarcus Cousins.
- Rondae Hollis Jefferson, SF, Arizona
76ers: The Pennsylvanian can return and be part of the rebuilding project.
- Jerian Grant, SG, Notre Dame
Spurs: A very Greg Popovich type player.
- Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
Pacers: The Midwesterner will be a part of a team that will be good again with the return of Paul George.
- Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Celtics: The freshman can play right away in a big market.
- Justin Anderson, SG, Virginia
Heat: The 21 year old can rotate in with Wade and Deng, provided they are both still there next year.
- Johnathan Holmes, SF, Texas
Trail Blazers: A good team falling this late in the draft, have to grab them.
- RJ Hunter, SG, Georgia State
Suns: Could find playing time if the Suns decide to go with a small line up and they are a playoff quality team.
- Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Pelicans: Really good team falling this late? Have to take them even if it’s not his best fit.
- Delon Wright, PG, Utah
Jazz: Stays in Utah and has a chance to compete for a starting job.
- Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV
Nuggets: Denver will need a replacement for Randy Foye soon.
- Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
Timberwolves: Can be the first big man off the bench.
- Michael Frazier, SG, Florida
Magic: The final team remaining so the Gator ends up with Orlando.
