2004 NBA Re-Draft: Lottery Edition
A look back at the 2004 NBA Draft and Re-drafting of the Top players from the Class who produced in the NBA.
The NBA Re-Draft series continues here as we now take a look back at the 2004 NBA Draft. Some teams go with their original picks if the situation and circumstances call for it. Some players slide down their original Draft Slots and some rise up the Draft Boards because they outplayed their original Draft position. In this Re-Draft of the 2004 class, we will go pick by pick to redo the entire Draft lottery. Best player available and team needs will be taken into consideration for each pick.
Before we begin, be sure to check out the other NBA Re-Drafts:
2021 NBA Draft Coverage:
Let's begin!
1. Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard, C
Career Stats: 16.4 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 1.4 AST, 58.6 FG%, 56.5 FT%, 0.9 STL, 1.9 BLK
Magics Original Pick: Dwight Howard
Howard’s Original Draft Slot: Orlando Magic, 1st Overall
This one is a no-brainer. Howard was the right choice at the time of the 2004 NBA Draft and he is again in this Re-Draft. While Howard wasn’t ever a dominant scorer, he was very efficient in the prime years of his career with the Magic. He made his mark on defense and was a 3-time Defensive Player of The Year Award winner with Orlando.
Howard was the centerpiece to the Magic’s long playoff runs in the late 2000s and eventual Finals Appearance in 2009. Knowing what we and Howard now know, it’s hard to picture a scenario where Howard ever leaves the Magic. His career hadn’t been seen in the same light or been the same since his Departure from Orlando in 2012.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Andre Iguodala, SG/SF
Career Stats: 11.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.3 AST, 46.4 FG%, 33.3 3PT%, 70.8 FT%, 1.5 STL, 0.5 BLK
Bobcats Original Pick: Emeka Okafor
Igoudala’s Original Draft Slot: Philadelphia 76ers, 9th Overall
Imagine a young Andre Iguodala with a young Gerald Wallace. That would be a great Defensive duo at the Forward and Guard spots. Iguodala has always been a willing passer who’s prioritized getting his teammates involved over scoring. His ability to do a little bit of everything is a big reason why he’s still a valuable contributor for the Miami Heat today.
In a way, Iguodala was a resourceful player when he started his career with the Sixers. He had to be. He had to find a way to stand out besides being able to score the Basketball because, at the time, the Sixers still had high-volume shooter, Allen Iverson on the team.
The way Iguodala stood out was by playing great defense, hitting the open shot, cutting to get open, and getting his teammates involved. It’s what I believe helped shape the player he is today. What would be interesting to see, is if he were Drafted into a scenario like the Bobcats, and forced to be more assertive, how different would his game be? That’s why I think this would be an interesting Re-Draft/Re-Pick for the Bobcats here.
3. Chicago Bulls: Trevor Ariza, SG/SF
Career Stats: 10.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.2 AST, 42.3 FG%, 35.2 3PT%, 73.2 FT%, 1.5 STL
Bulls Original Pick: Ben Gordon
Ariza’s Original Draft Slot: New York Knicks, 43rd Overall
While Ben Gordon was a really good player early on in his career with the Bulls, he didn’t have the long-term longevity that Ariza has displayed to this very day. Ariza would provide a longer-term winning component to an ascending Bulls team in the mid-2010s, led by Derrick Rose. By then Gordon was long gone anyway. Ironically enough, the 2010s is when Ariza starting blossoming into his peak as an all-around 3 and D type player. He would’ve been the perfect fit for Tom Thibodeau’s Defensive scrappy Chicago Bulls of the 2010s.
4. Los Angeles Clippers: Devin Harris, PG
Career Stats: 10.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 3.9 AST, 43.2 FG%, 32.5 3PT%, 79.6 FT%, 1.0 STL
Clippers Original Pick: Shaun Livingston
Harris’ Original Draft Slot: Traded to Dallas Mavericks, 5th Overall
The Clippers had the right idea when they picked a Point Guard here back in 2004. They unfortunately just picked the wrong one. High School Prodigy Shaun Livingston, was the right pick at the time but blew out his knee in 2007 and was never the same. Enter Devin Harris.
Devin Harris was a speedy young floor general that looked to score the basketball early and often. He was very good at it and was even an All-Star with the Nets at the peak of his career. He would’ve provided long-term stability to a young Clippers roster that needed a Point Guard at the time.
5. Dallas Mavericks: Jameer Nelson, PG
Career Stats: 11.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.1 AST, 43.6 FG%, 36.8 3PT%, 81.0 FT%, 0.9 STL
Mavericks Original Pick: Traded for Devin Harris (Wizards held original pick)
Nelson’s Original Draft Slot: Traded to Orlando Magic, 20th Overall
The Mavericks made the correct pick on Draft day when they selected Devin Harris. Harris is now off the board so they take the next best Point Guard available here. Jameer Nelson isn’t such a bad constellation prize and in fact, was an All-Star Guard himself. Nelson would have been a better fit for the Mavs as his ability to knock down open threes would open up the floor spacing and fit the play style of Franchise player Dirk Nowitzki.
6. Atlanta Hawks: J.R. Smith, SG
Career Stats: 12.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.1 AST, 41.9 FG%, 37.3 3PT%, 73.3 FT%, 1.0 STL
Hawks Original Pick: Josh Childress
Smith’s Original Draft Slot: New Orleans Hornets, 18th Overall
At the time, the Hawks thought they were getting their version of J.R. Smith when they took Josh Childress, who had previously dominated at Stanford. Childress turned out to be a bust that couldn’t shoot. Smith came into the league, an athletic freak, that could score the basketball. He’s exactly the kind of player the Hawks needed at the time. In the right situation, Smith might’ve even developed into an All-Star.
7. Chicago Bulls: Kevin Martin, SG
Career Stats: 17.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.9 AST, 43.7 FG%, 38.4 3PT%, 87.0 FT%, 0.9 STL
Bulls Original Pick: Traded for Luol Deng (Suns held original pick)
Martin’s Original Draft Slot: Sacramento Kings, 26th Overall
Kevin Martin is one of the most underrated players in NBA history. His scoring prowess and shooting ability went under the radar during his time in the NBA. At number 7, the Bulls are getting a steal here. Martin had 6 seasons where he averaged at least 20 Points Per Game. For someone that produced on his level, to not have made a single All-Star game, is puzzling. Still, the Bulls get themselves a young high scoring Guard that has All-Star potential and can be one of the center-building pieces of their young team at the time.
8. Toronto Raptors: Al Jefferson, C/PF
Career Stats: 15.7 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.5 AST, 49.9 FG%, 71.1 FT%, 0.7 STL, 1.2 BLK
Raptors Original Pick: Rafael Araujo
Jefferson’s Original Draft Slot: Boston Celtics, 15th Overall
By 2016, Al Jefferson’s old-school back-to-the-basket game was starting to become outdated. Still, 12 years of double-double production is more than worth it. Especially this late in the Draft Lottery. The Raptors had All-Star Chris Bosh at the time.
Imagine a Front-Court of Al Jefferson and Chris Bosh. That would be an amazing duo for the style of play from the mid-2000s to mid-2010s. “Big Al” was a great low post scorer and developed a solid mid-range game as well. His inside game would’ve complimented Bosh perfectly as Bosh liked to score from the perimeter and drive to the basket.
9. Philadelphia 76ers: Luol Deng, SF
Career Stats: 14.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.3 AST, 45.6 FG%, 33.2 3PT%, 76.9 FT%, 1.0 BLK, 0.5 STL
76ers Original Pick: Andre Igoudala
Deng’s Original Draft Slot: Traded to Bulls, 7th Overall
Deng slides a bit here in the Re-Draft. He was a really good role player in the Prime of his career with the Bulls and is a good constellation prize here for the Sixers, who miss out on Iguodala in this Re-Draft. Deng was a 2-time All-Star and a really good two-way player. He wasn’t an efficient or consistent outside shooter, but his ability to create for himself, and to defend, made him very valuable.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers: Emeka Okafor, C/PF
Career Stats: 12.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 0.8 AST, 51.2 FG%, 58.6 FT%, 0.7 STL, 1.6 BLK
Cavaliers Original Pick: Luke Jackson
Okafor’s Original Draft Slot: Charlotte Bobcats, 2nd Overall
The Cavs are happy with this Re-Draft. They made the wrong choice on the actual Draft day. Luke Jackson was an odd pick and was an epic bust from the get-go. Okafor takes a precipitous drop from his original Draft Slot of 2nd Overall.
He had a good career, but he’s hardly the 2nd best player in this Draft. However, he’s most definitely a great value here with the 10th pick and is an example of how much depth the top of the 2004 NBA Draft had. An athletic and defensive Forward for LeBron to throw lobs to? Sounds like a great pick for the Cavs here.
11. Golden State Warriors: Ben Gordon, SG
Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.5 AST, 43.2 FG%, 40.1 3PT%, 85.7 FT%, 0.7 STL
Warriors Original Pick: Andris Biedrins
Gordon’s Original Draft Slot: Chicago Bulls, 3rd Overall
Gordon to the Warriors would be fitting. Literally. He’s one of, if not, the best shooters in this draft class. He’d be one of the “Splash Brothers” before their time and would be a great scoring option here for the Warriors.
Gordon was great his first 5 seasons in the NBA with the Bulls. However, his huge drop-off in production started after he left the Bulls to sign his huge free agency contract with the Pistons in 2009. This is why Gordon drops a bit here in the Re-Draft. But, again, this is a great value here for the Warriors and shows how good the top of the 2004 NBA Draft Class was.
Gordon was a walking bucket, whether he started or came off the bench. He was the 2004–05 Sixth Man of The Year. His ability to create for himself, catch and shoot, and get in a zone offensively are immensely valuable assets for a young team like the Warriors at the time. He would’ve been the perfect back-up to then starter, Jason Richardson.
12. Seattle Supersonics: Josh Smith, SF
Career Stats: 14.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.1 AST, 45.2 FG%, 28.5 3PT%, 63.2 FT%, 1.2 STL, 1.9 BLK
Supersonics Original Pick: Robert Swift
Smith’s Original Draft Slot: Atlanta Hawks, 17th Overall
In this Re-Draft, Smith goes a little higher than he did in the actual Draft. The Supersonics would later become the OKC Thunder, but at the time, they took one of the biggest Draft busts of All-Time, Robert Swift. Instead, the Supersonics take the Power Forward that they should’ve taken in the first place.
Smith was a good low post scorer that could drive and slash to put points on the board. The problem with Smith at times was, that he often settled for the jump-shot. Smith never fully developed a good outside shot, but his defense and ability to Rebound, and score in the paint are exactly what the Supersonics were hoping to get here in the lottery with their pick.
13. Portland Trailblazers: Anderson Varejao, PF/C
Career Stats: 7.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.2 AST, 51.0 FG%, 63.1 FT%, 0.9 STL, 0.6 BLK
Trailblazers Original Pick: Sebastian Telfair
Varejao’s Original Draft Slot: Traded to Cleveland, 30th Overall
At the time, it seemed like Telfair was the right pick for the Blazers. He was a straight-out-of High School Prospect that had lots of promise. Unfortunately, Telfair never lived up to his potential, and it’s hard to say if he’d be the pick here again.
At this point in the Draft Lottery, Telfair would be a good gamble, and maybe the team could do a better job of developing him in a Re-Draft. Instead, the Blazers go with a more steady prospect that could help them right away in Varejao. Varejao had some injury-riddled seasons, but he ultimately was a great role player off the bench.
He could get your team a double-double in limited minutes of play and his impact also went beyond the numbers. Varejao was a high-energy, max-effort role player that could fit any NBA system, and was a great and likable teammate.
14. Utah Jazz: Tony Allen, SG
Career Stats: 8.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.3 AST, 47.5 FG%, 28.2 3PT%, 70.9 FT%, 1.4 STL
Jazz’s Original Pick: Kris Humphries
Allen’s Original Draft Slot: Boston Celtics, 25th Overall
Tony Allen rounds out the lottery here and gets himself drafted to the Jazz. Allen was a terrific shutdown defender throughout his career. While his offensive game left a lot to be desired, Allen is the kind of Championship caliber role player that brings toughness, leadership, max-effort, energy, and defense to a team. All aforementioned qualities are worth the selection here to close out this 2004 NBA Re-Draft.
Jeffrey Genao is a Writer and Contributor for Top Level Sports. You can read more of his Content at Top Level Sports.
