The 2024 NBA Draft looked shaky then, and two years later it looks even rougher. The lottery has already produced plenty of misses, but it has also turned into a showcase for a few players who were taken well outside the top of the board. In this redraft, the biggest jump belongs to Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell, while Jared McCain also rockets into the top 10.
That’s the strange part of this class: the Thunder struck out on their own No. 12 pick, Nikola Topic, but they still ended up with two of the most valuable players from the draft. Mitchell, taken 35th overall, has grown into the team’s bench engine.
McCain, selected 16th, became a crucial piece of the Thunder rotation in the playoffs. For a draft that was already viewed as a mess, that kind of value swing says plenty.
If the lottery were being done again with two years of hindsight, the order would look almost nothing like draft night.
Stephon Castle would go first. The shooting concerns that followed him have been overstated, because he brings impact everywhere else and plays with real force on both ends. By his second season, he was already a fringe All-Star and helped lead the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals last year.
Alex Sarr stays at No. 2.
His size and versatility still make him a clean fit near the top, and his defensive mobility and paint protection keep him there. On offense, he can score at different levels, including from 3-point range.
Then comes the biggest rise in the class: Ajay Mitchell at No. 3.
From 38th to third, he is the draft’s clearest steal. He attacks defenses nonstop, passes well, and takes care of the ball.
He also brings real defensive effort and creates steals in Oklahoma City’s pressure system. The source of the redraft even suggests he may be an All-Star before all is said and done.
Matas Buzelis lands at No. 4 after filling up the stat sheet for the Chicago Bulls while still carrying the upside that made him such an interesting prospect. He can score from multiple levels and help as a weakside shot blocker.
Zach Edey checks in at No. 5.
Injuries have complicated his early NBA run, and that raises obvious questions about whether he can hold up over a full schedule. But when he is available, the impact is obvious: he rebounds everything, protects the rim, and finishes efficiently.
The doubts about whether his game would translate have already been answered.
Jared McCain comes next at No. 6, and the Thunder deserve credit for finding him when his value was at its lowest. He immediately found his form in Oklahoma City, and his scoring and playmaking were too much for opponents to handle off the bench. Defense is not his calling card, but the offense is absolutely real.
Jaylon Tyson is No. 7.
He has been a little overlooked despite playing for a Conference Finalist in the Cleveland Cavaliers, but his offensive package is growing fast. Scoring, playmaking, and shooting are all part of the mix, and if he can defend multiple positions consistently this year, he has a path to becoming a two-way starter.
Kyshawn George slots in at No. 8.
He and the next player have both developed into classic 3-and-D wings, but George gets the nod because he has flashed more on-ball shot creation. His role on a suddenly loaded Washington Wizards team will shrink, and how he handles that will say a lot about his long-term value.
Ja'Kobe Walter lands at No. 9.
Toronto is expected to start him this season, which says plenty about his defensive versatility and shooting. He has already shown useful skills across the board, and if he can become elite at one or two things, he projects as a long-term starter.
Reed Sheppard falls to No. 10 in the biggest upside swing of the redraft. His feel and shooting potential are still very high, but he has not put it together yet for the Houston Rockets, and he needs more consistent production to keep his spot in Houston’s plans.
Donovan Clingan is next at No. 11.
He remains enormous and still protects the rim well, but the offensive side has not come around, even with attempts to stretch his game. If some of the players above him fail to hit their ceilings, he could still end up as one of the better players from this class.
Kel'el Ware goes at No. 12.
The hype has outpaced the reality so far, but he remains interesting because of his mobility on defense and his ability to shoot. Whether he can be a long-term center will shape his value.
Jaylen Wells is No. 13.
He was an All-Rookie First Team selection, though his second season was quieter. The defense is strong on the perimeter, but he will probably be the weakest offensive player in a starting lineup.
Cam Spencer rounds out the lottery at No. 14.
He has emerged as the best shooter in the class while doing it mostly out of the spotlight on a bad Memphis Grizzlies team. As Memphis rises, his shooting and gravity should become more obvious.
As for Nikola Topic, the redraft sends him to the beginning of the second round at No. 34.
He is still a mystery because of everything he has been through, and the expectation here is that he probably will not become a star. Even so, there is still a path to him becoming a solid backup point guard if he can finally get healthy and collect some real NBA minutes.
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