By So, after being inspired by one of my inspirations the great Bill Simmons and his “Book of Basketball 2.0” podcast and the “Redraftables” season I decided to sort of pick up where they left off during the pandemic and redraft the 2011 draft which filled with future all-timers, all-stars, superstars and quality role players so let us begin the 2011 Redraft with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the number one pick.
The process is what the player became compared to where they were drafted or what player was the best fit for the team in hindsight.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: With the first pick in this redraft the good ole Cleveland Cavaliers select Kawhi Leonard. Now you can make the argument that the original selection of Kyrie Irving could still stand but if I am the Cavs, I am picking the best player with the long-term stardom and slightly better health, so the Klaw is the first pick.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves in 2011 selected Derrick Williams with this pick but I am going in a different direction. With Ricky Rubio finally coming over from Spain I will take Klay Thompson with the 2nd pick in this redraft, with Rubio and Kevin Love adding Thompson to that duo could have made formidable trio in Minnesota.
- Utah Jazz: The third pick of the 2011 redraft is where the Kyrie Irving slide ends. Irving who was the first pick of the 2011 draft falls to 3rd in this redraft to the Jazz. This fit would work great for Irving with the recent departure of Deron Williams to the Nets, Irving can come into a productive and competitive team in Utah with Paul Millsap, Gordan Hayward and Al Jefferson.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs are back on the board with the 4th pick, with the Cavs drafting Kawhi Leonard #1 in this redraft he will need a running mate in this post LeBron James era team. So, with the 4th pick in this 2011 redraft the Cavaliers select Jimmy Butler, yup the Cavs will have not one but two future perimeter studs that play on both sides of the court with Leonard and Butler side by side could make LeBron leaving for Miami hurt not so much.
- Toronto Raptors: My Raptors are on the clock with the #5 pick, back in 2011 the Raptors selected Jonas Valanciunas which was good but in this redraft the Raptors will go in a similar direction and select Nikola Vucevic who is slightly more skilled offensively compared to Valanciunas which could do well with DeMar DeRozan.
- Washington Wizards: The Wizards are here at #6 and they need to find a complementary part to go with John Wall and with this pick the Wizards select Tobias Harris. Now I went with the fit that would gel with John Wall and not the fun pick in say Kemba Walker? Harris would be a good fit with Wall as far creating space for Wall to excel and thrive in DC.
- Sacramento Kings: The Kings are up with the #7 pick and in this redraft the Kings will select Bojan Bogdanovic who will be a quality wing to pair with Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins.
- Detroit Pistons: The Pistons are up next and in desperate need of a playmaker and in this redraft the Pistons will select Kemba Walker. Unlike the real pick in 2011 in Brandon Knight, Walker is the more dynamic player and talent that would be embrace by Detroit easily.
- Charlotte Bobcats: The Bobcats have the 9th pick in this redraft and are not renamed the Hornets, but it is coming soon, so in need a good serviceable big man the Bobcats will select Jonas Valanciunas.
- Milwaukee Bucks: The final pick in this 2011 NBA Redraft the Milwaukee Bucks need something to jump start the revival their doing with Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut at the time. So, with the 10th pick in the NBA redraft the Bucks select Isaiah Thomas so why not have fun with him, Jennings and Monta Ellis playing in the backcourt.