The 2017 NBA Draft wasn’t as loaded as some experts anticipated it would be. Six players from the 2017 draft class have been named an All-Star, and only three of those players were selected in the top 10 (Jayson Tatum, De’Aaron Fox, and Lauri Markkanen).
With the No. 9 pick, the Dallas Mavericks selected guard Dennis Smith Jr. Since being drafted, Smith Jr. has been on six different teams. After a season and a half in Dallas, he was traded to the New York Knicks in a blockbuster deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report put together a 2017 NBA Re-Draft in which the Mavericks select OG Anunoby at No. 9.
“If upside mattered more to this re-draft, Anunoby would slot even higher. Since this is more about reflection than projection, though, his availability issues stop that from happening. When he plays, though, he could be the NBA’s most versatile defender, and he probably scores too much to be labeled a three-and-D wing,” Buckley wrote.
After being selected by the Toronto Raptors at No. 23, Anunoby finally hit his stride in the 2020 season. He shot 50 percent from the field and averaged over 10 points for the first time in his career. Since then, he has consistently averaged 15 points or more. That includes this season for the Knicks where he is averaging 16.4 points.
In addition to being an elite defender on the wing, he has continuously enhanced his scoring ability as well. Since this draft class ended up not being as good as originally expected, Anunoby sneaking into the top 10 in a Re-Draft makes total sense. The Mavericks wish they could receive a re-do for this class.
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