It was wonderful out of season for its members 2012 NBA Draft. Bradley Beal started the fun by being traded from the Wizards to the Suns. Draymond Green and Khris Middleton signed $100 million contracts in free agency, followed by Anthony Davis who got a record extension. All this culminated in his transfer Damian Lillard to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks.
Two of its members sports news, Carlan Gay and Scott Rafferty put on their GM hats and made it happen 2012 redesign. Gay won the lottery and took first place, with a huge responsibility on his shoulders.
The 2012 NBA Redraft
1. Damian Lillard, Hornets
- Initial selection: Anthony Davis
- Original position: 6th
Nothing against Anthony Davis here, but he is Give me time.
Lillard has proven to be more durable throughout his career and I think his game will age slightly better than AD’s. Defense is an issue, but I’m sure a team can hide their weaknesses with the right players around them.
I’ll have a patient, high-performing star on my hands, something every GM would love to have.
— Gay
2. Anthony Davis, Bobcats
- Initial selection: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
- Original position: 1st
In my case, I’d take Davis over Lillard for the number one pick.
He has struggled to be on the floor for much of his career, but when healthy Davis is one of the best players on both ends of the floor. He’s an elite blocker who can defend outside as well, a dynamic man who scores at a high level around the basket and a capable, if inconsistent, shooter.
Davis had some success as the number one pick in New Orleans and formed one of the NBA’s best duos in Los Angeles with LeBron James, resulting in a championship. He has more than lived up to the hype of being the number one pick in this class.
—Rafferty
3. Draymond Green, Wizards
- Initial selection: Bradley Beal
- Original position: 35º
While most options are offensive, defense and toughness drive this option.
Green is one of the smartest defenders in league history who can guide a team’s defense for more than a decade. Offensively he leaves a bit of room, but he can pass the ball well and make solid blocks. Scoring isn’t everything in attack.
— Gay
4. Bradley Beal, Cavaliers
- Initial selection: Dion Waiters
- Original position: 3rd
I thought a lot of Middleton with this pick. You really can’t go wrong with either, but I give Beal the slight edge.
Beal has been part of some quality Wizards teams early in his career and has become one of the best scorers in the NBA. In 2019-2020 he averaged 30.5 points per game. He nearly won the scoring title the following season, trailing only Stephen Curry (32.0) at 31.3 points per night, his best figure.
The shooting guard now has a big opportunity ahead of him, teaming up with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in Phoenix. He could create some distance with Middleton if the next few seasons go as planned for the Suns.
—Rafferty
5. Chris Middleton, Kings
- Initial selection: Thomas Robinson
- Original position: 39th
Everyone is looking for a franchise player in the top five of the draft, but getting a legitimate second pick isn’t bad either. Middleton contributes in all areas offensively and in defense he has shown that he can be counted on.
— Gay
6. Harrison Barnes, Trail Blazers
- Initial selection: Damian Lillard
- Original position: 7th
Barnes had an exciting career. In Golden State, his versatility on both ends helped the team to its first ring. In Dallas he became a scorer of almost 20 points per game. Now in Sacramento he has been a perfect fit alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
A forward who can defend multiple positions, hit threes and create his own shot when needed, Barnes’ game has aged well.
—Rafferty
7. Jae Crowder, Warriors
- Initial selection: Harrison Barnes
- Original position: 34º
Every championship team needs a Crowder, an average player who consistently provides solid defense and three-point shooting.
Crowder will never lead a team to a ring, but he might be a code name for a I support. He’s one of those guys you hate playing against but love playing with.
— Gay
8. Andre Drummond, Raptors
- Initial selection: Terence Ross
- Original position: 9th
Drummond fell off pretty quickly, but he’s a two-time All-Star and one of the most dominant rebounders in recent memory.
In addition to leading the league in rebounding four times, tying Kevin Garnett and Bill Russell for fifth-most all-time, Drummond has grabbed 24.8 percent of available rebounds while on the floor. This is the highest percentage in NBA history.
Drummond He will ensure that he is the greatest rebounder of all time. I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s definitely up there.
—Rafferty
9. Evan Fournier, Pistons
- Initial selection: Andrew Drummond
- Original position: 20º
Fournier is a scorer when he’s in the right situation. His career would have been different if his role had been that of the sixth man, being a key player in the second unit. With 15 to 18 minutes a night of freedom he may be able to shine as a scorer.
— Gay
10. Will Burton, Hornets
- Initial selection: Austin Rivers
- Original position: 40º
Burton was one of the NBA’s best bench scorers during his prime. He averaged double figures in seven straight seasons, peaking in 2017-2018 with 15.7 points per game.
—Rafferty
11. Terrence Ross, Trail Blazers
- Initial selection: Myers Leonard
- Original position: 8th
Terrence Ross is a standout player who often leaves fans with a moment to remember. You just hope it’s a brilliant move and not a mistake that will be forgotten.
— Gay
12. Austin Rivers, Rockets
- Initial selection: Jeremy Lamb
- Original position: 10th
Rivers deserves to enter the lottery on the strength of his high school seniors alone. Okay, maybe not, but he had a solid NBA career. He played an important role for the LA Clippers for a few seasons and became a defensive specialist in Houston.
—Rafferty
13. Meyers Leonard, Suns
- Initial selection: Kendall Marshall
- Original position: 11th
Let’s be honest, that’s as far as pure talent goes. This draft class drops pretty quickly, but Leonard is a solid player who developed into a respectable 3-point shooter. With a higher volume of triples, better defense and maybe his outlook is better.
— Gay
14. Kent Bazemore, Bucks
- Initial selection: John Henson
- Original position: Unselected
Bazemore did not hear his name called in the 2012 NBA draft. While he had a career and played for five teams in 10 years, he had a couple of productive seasons in Atlanta as a starter for the Hawks.
—Rafferty
