2005 NBA Re-Draft: A Redo of the Top Picks in the Lottery
We take a look back at the 2005 NBA Draft and Redo the Top 14 Picks of the Draft Class.
The 2005 NBA Draft was the year of the Point Guard and Combo Guard. It produced many top stars at those positions and players that would become long-time contributors throughout their career. In this 2005 re-draft, we’ll take a look at the top of the draft and analyze the best fit for what turned out to be the best players of the draft class.
Before we begin, be sure to check out the other NBA Re-Drafts:
2021 NBA Draft Coverage:
1. Milwaukee Bucks: Chris Paul, PG
Career Stats: 18.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.4 AST, 47.1 FG%, 37.1 3PT%, 87.2 FT%, 2.2 STL
Bucks Original Pick: Andrew Bogut
Paul’s Original Draft Slot: New Orleans Hornets, 4th Overall
One of the best Point Guards of All-Time is here for the taking and there’s no way the Bucks mess this one up. While Bogut fit a huge need for Milwaukee at the time, Paul was the much better Prospect, who would turn out to also be a much better player. He is an 11-time All-Star that is still playing at an All-Star level at the age of 35.
Paul’s been in the league since he was 20, and he’s been a Top 5 Point Guard in the NBA since he stepped into the league. The one blemish on Paul’s otherwise flawless resume is his inability to have yet to win an NBA Title. The clock is ticking and though the Suns team that paul plays for has talent, they’re hardly a team that looks like it can make a Finals run.
2. Atlanta Hawks: Deron Williams, PG
Career Stats: 16.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 8.1 AST, 44.5 FG%, 35.7 3PT%, 82.2 FT%, 1.0 STL
Hawks Original Pick: Marvin Williams
Williams’ Original Draft Slot: Utah Jazz, 3rd Overall
Williams moves up one Draft Slot in this Re-Draft. The tail-end of his NBA career wasn’t pretty. Still, at his peak, Williams was a Superstar Point Guard and the centerpiece of the Utah Jazz for 5 and a half seasons. He was a crafty ball-handler, floor spacer, and facilitator. There are some in the media saying at one point, that Williams was as good, if not, better than Chris Paul. Honestly, at the time, I was one of those people who believed D-Will was better than Mr. CP3.
3. Utah Jazz: Monta Ellis, PG/SG
Career Stats: 17.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.6 AST, 45.1 FG%, 31.4 3PT%, 77.2 FT%, 1.7 STL
Jazz Original Pick: Deron Williams
Ellis’ Original Draft Slot: Golden State Warriors, 40th Overall
Monta Ellis was a superb scorer. He was a bit undersized for the two-guard position and was at times very inefficient. Ellis was a volume scorer that had an inconsistent outside jump-shot, but had lighting quick speed and could get to the Free-Throw line.
One look at his career stats will have you wondering why he was never able to make an All-Star team. However, Ellis didn’t play on many winning teams in his prime. His best years with the Warriors were some of the worst years in the Franchise's history. They were in rebuild mode and Ellis was their best player before Stephen Curry arrived.
Curry and Ellis were not much of a fit in the back-court and they were both small. Ellis needed the ball in his hands to be effective, but he wasn’t the Point Guard. Curry was the Point Guard and he could play off-ball. Their games didn’t compliment each other so the Warriors ultimately and wisely chose to build around Curry and Ellis never quite produced the same way he had, in his time with the Warriors.
In this Re-Draft, Ellis goes much higher and perhaps gets a real chance of developing into a true Franchise centerpiece with the Jazz. The Utah Jazz have the foresight to know what Ellis’s weaknesses are and work to improve his shooting ability from the outside.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Andrew Bogut, C
Career Stats: 9.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.2 AST, 53.5 FG%, 55.7 FT%, 1.5 BLK
Hornets Original Pick: Chris Paul
Bogut’s Original Draft Slot: Milwaukee Bucks, 1st Overall
In his time in the NBA, Bogut was one of the better defensive Centers in the league. A great shot blocker, intimidating presence, and defender in the paint. While his offense at times left much to be desired, Bogut wasn’t no Kendrick Perkins either. Bogut had good footwork and solid post moves to get easy buckets down low. He was also a willing and great passing big that was unselfish and who sets great screens.
Bogut was at his best when setting a screen for his teammates to get open looks, but he also knows what to do with the basketball if he is the recipient of a screen and roll play. At the time, Bogut would’ve been a great pick here for the Hornets, who had a young David West on the roster (another big that would go on to develop into a great two-way player).
5. Charlotte Bobcats: Lou Williams, PG/SG
Career Stats: 14.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.5 AST, 42.1 FG%, 35.0 3PT%, 84.1 FT%, 0.9 STL
Bobcats Original Pick: Raymond Felton
Williams’ Original Draft Slot: Philadelphia 76ers, 45th Overall
The longevity of Lou Williams's career makes this an easy selection. While Felton had a nice career and was a solid pick for Charlotte, Williams offers much more upside and potential. Williams was a raw talented player, who skipped college, straight of high school, and went to the NBA. He needed time to develop but it wouldn’t be long before Williams started to hit his stride. Williams started coming into his own in his 3rd season with the 76ers.
Here, the Bobcats are an expansion Franchise entering its 2nd NBA season, so Williams may have even gotten much more playing time earlier on in his career. With Williams still on the board here, the Bobcats know they will get a great scorer that they will focus their attention on developing his Point Guard skills, and possibly be an upgrade over Felton eventually.
6. Portland Trailblazers: Danny Granger, SF
Career Stats: 16.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.9 AST, 43.3 FG%, 38.0 3PT%, 84.8 FT%, 1.0 STL, 0.8 BLK
Trailblazers Original Pick: Martell Webster
Grangers’ Original Draft Slot: Indiana Pacers, 17th Overall
Many NBA fans forget just how good Danny Granger was. For about six seasons, Granger was one of the best Small Forwards in the league. He was very underrated as well. Granger was ahead of his time, as he could drop 40 points by just shooting the ball. It didn’t take many dribbles for Granger to score and his athleticism and quick release made him a threat to his shot from just about anywhere on the court. Injuries, unfortunately, cut his career short but he’s on the board here and the Blazers won’t hesitate to take All-Star production, even if it's just for six seasons.
7. Toronto Raptors: Marvin Williams, SF/PF
Career Stats: 10.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.3 AST, 44.3 FG%, 36.1 3PT%, 80.8 FT%, 0.8 STL, 0.5 BLK
Raptors Original Pick: Charlie Villanueva
Williams’ Original Draft Slot: Atlanta Hawks, 2nd Overall
At the time of the 2005 NBA Draft, it was thought that Marvin Williams would develop into a star player, despite not being a starter in his one season with UNC. That never happened and the Hawks ultimately don’t take him again with the 2nd pick overall in this Re-Draft. However, at pick number 7, Williams is a solid fit and selection for a Raptors Franchise that could use his shot-making ability. Longevity also plays a big role in Williams going here as he played in 16 seasons, strangely retiring after the 2019–20 season at the young age of just 33.
8. New York Knicks: Ersan Ilyasova, SF/PF
Career Stats: 10.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.1 AST, 44.4 FG%, 36.5 3PT%, 77.6 FT%, 0.7 STL
Knicks Original Pick: Channing Frye
Ilyasova’s Original Draft Slot: Milwaukee Bucks, 36th Overall
The New York Knicks seem to never have any luck when it comes to the NBA Draft. Whether it’s failing to tank properly or straight up botching a pick, the Knicks have had their fair share of NBA Draft stumbles. The number 8 spot seems to be their favorite slot to take Power-Forwards (Frye in 2005, Jordan Hill in 2009, and Obi Toppin in 2021).
It’s only right that in this Re-Draft they take the right Power-Forward that they should’ve taken all along. Ilyasova was a great stretch small-ball four that could handle the ball and create for himself. He didn’t play in the NBA for a couple of seasons because he was playing in Spain, but he’d be a great fit for a young Knicks team at the time.
9. Golden State Warriors: David Lee, PF
Career Stats: 13.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.2 AST, 53.5 FG%, 77.2 FT%, 0.8 STL, 0.4 BLK
Warriors Original Pick: Ike Diogu
Lee’s Original Draft Slot: New York Knicks, 30th Overall
Lee would ironically end up with the Warriors after signing a huge Free Agency deal in 2010. Lee is a lottery pick here because he ended up being a steal in the actual Draft. He was a 2-time All-Star and double-double machine. The only thing stopping Lee from being a Top 5 pick in this Re-Draft, is his atrocious defense. Lee’s lack of shot-blocking ability and intimidation in the paint made him a liability at that end of the floor. However, his Rebounding, passing ability, and scoring get him drafted fairly high here.
10. Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Bynum, C
Career Stats: 11.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.2 AST, 55.6 FG%, 69.0 FT%, 1.6 BLK
Lakers Original Pick: Andrew Bynum
Bynum’s Original Draft Slot: Los Angeles Lakers, 10th Overall
The Lakers made the right choice here on Draft night in 2005. While Andrew Bynum’s prime didn’t last as long as the Lakers had liked, Bynum played a huge role in the Lakers making three Straight Finals Appearances from 2008–2010. He, next to Pau Gasol, made for one of the best Front-Court duos in the league at the time. While Bynum was injury-prone, he was still one of the best young Centers in the league and he played in a time where low-post Centers were still relevant.
11. Orlando Magic: Amir Johnson, PF
Career Stats: 7.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.2 AST, 57.0 FG%, 67.3 FT%, 1.0 BLK
Magics Original Pick: Fran Vázquez
Johnson’s Original Draft Slot: Detroit Pistons, 56th Overall
Amir Johnson lasted a long time in the NBA as a really good role player. He was always able to secure a role for himself because of his ability to play great defense. His energy, shot-blocking, and Rebounding were valuable assets of skill that he brought to the teams he played for. In this re-draft, Johnson gets drafted much higher to a team that had a young Dwight Howard on the roster.
12. Los Angeles Clippers: Raymond Felton, PG
Career Stats: 11.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.2 AST, 41.2 FG%, 32.9 3PT%, 79.0 FT%, 1.2 STL
Clippers Original Pick: Yaroslav Korolev
Felton’s Original Draft Slot: Charlotte Bobcats, 5th Overall
Raymond Felton drops big time in this re-draft. Still, he had a solid NBA career and is a steal here at 12th overall. The Clippers needed a solid Starting Point Guard at the time, and although Felton wasn’t Chris Paul or even Deron Williams, he was a player that could give you 14 points and 6 assists per game. Felton was a good floor general that played with patience and let the game come to him. A young Felton paired with an underrated Elton Brand would’ve been interesting to watch.
13. Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Green, SG/SF
Career Stats: 9.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.9 AST, 41.7 FG%, 36.1 3PT%, 81.8 FT%
Bobcats Original Pick: Sean May
Green’s Original Draft Slot: Boston Celtics, 18th Overall
His streaky shooting is something that has always eluded Gerald Green. It’s part of the reason he never has been able to secure a starting job. However, even in limited playing time, Green puts points up on the board. A look at his per 36 minutes stats shows that he can produce when given the playing time.
In this re-draft, Green would get plenty of playing time on an Expansion Charlotte Bobcats team. Who knows? Maybe Green in an alternate universe, where he is drafted to the Bobcats, develops his game a lot better than he ultimately would end up doing in his time in the NBA.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves: Nate Robinson, PG/SG
Career Stats: 11.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.0 AST, 42.3 FG%, 36.0 3PT%, 79.6 FT%, 0.9 STL
Timberwolves Original Pick: Rashad McCants
Robinson’s Original Draft Slot: Phoenix Suns (traded to Knicks), 21st Overall
Nate Robinson in his prime is the perfect bench player for any team. He was a great athlete and made exciting plays that galvanized the fanbase. Robinson was always a fan favorite no matter where he went.
The recently retired Robinson was still entertaining the fanbase even after basketball, just not in the way he’d hoped. Snoop Dogg’s commentary in Robinson’s fight vs. Jake Paul will stand the test of time.
Jeffrey Genao is a Writer and Contributor for Top Level Sports. You can read more of his Content at Top Level Sports.
