Resetting the NBA
Let’s say the NBA started over today. Every team was stripped of its players and had to start from scratch meaning every roster in the NBA would be empty, and all players free agents. The commissioner wouldn’t just let them sign whoever they wanted. No, there would have to be a draft held where every player was available. All thirty teams participating in the complete reset of the NBA. Who would go first? Who would be snubbed? Let’s find out. All of this is based off the assumption that teams want to be as good as possible, but also for as long as possible. The order I say players will be picked does not necessarily mean that they are better than anyone picked after them. That being said, my goal is to turn this into a series, and in this article, I’ll go over the top 10 picks in this fantasy world.
*Teams pick in order of who has the worst record at the time of me writing this (11/26/2019)
*There are no injuries in this universe
1. Golden State Warriors - Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis is the perfect mix of youth and talent. He is only 24 years old and is already considered one of the league’s best players. With an MVP already on his resume, the sky's the limit for this superstar.
2. New York Knicks - Luka Doncic
While Luka may not be the best available, he’s a top 10 NBA player right now and is only 20 years old. How can you pass up on a guy with 15+ years left in the tank who is already playing at an MVP caliber.
3. Atlanta Hawks - Kawhi Leonard
Last year, Kawhi Leonard proved that he’s one of the best the league’s ever seen. His inane defensive prowess is enough to lead any team to an NBA Championship. He’s also under the age of 30, so all that adds up to an early pick for the Klaw.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Anthony Davis
It’s hard to believe that this perennial All-Star is still only 26 years old. Davis has the talent to lead a team, and is still developing as a leader. He will be able to lead a team for years to come in this league.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - Kevin Durant
It gets to the point where you have to start drafting for talent instead of youth. Kevin Durant is one of the most talented scorers the world’s ever seen. It only makes sense he get drafted this high in the new universe.
6. Chicago Bulls - LeBron James
You can only leave the King on the board for so long. Although LeBron might be on the older side at 34, you can’t deny that he is still a top 5 player in the world. It’d be disrespectful to draft him any lower than this.
7. San Antonio Spurs - Karl-Anthony Towns
Another example of where youth can be valued over talent. Towns is only 23 years old, and already one of the most talented offensive centers in the last decade. He has the potential to lead a franchise to many NBA championships if put in the right situation.
8. Charlotte Hornets - Joel Embiid
Embiid is a monster on both offense and defense, and is still a mere 25 years old. If he can continue to improve, he’ll be one of the most dominant centers ever to play. That’s why he’s a top 10 pick in this reset.
9. Portland Trailblazers - James Harden
Harden is already 30 years old, but how can you not draft a guy who consistently averages over 30 points a season. He’s a perfect guy to build an offense around, and just because he’s not in his 20s anymore, doesn’t mean he’s not still amazing.
10. Detroit Pistons - Trae Young
In the end, youth will always have an impact. At 21 years old, Trae Young is already getting buckets at will. He can drain the 3 as good as anyone, and has an exponential amount of room to improve. Any team who drafts him will be goo for years to come.
