Re-Drafting the 2013 NBA Draft

France. Rudy Gobert. 2. player. 38. <p><strong>Original pick: Victor Oladipo</strong></p> <p>It is borderline inconceivable that Rudy Gobert fell to the number 27 pick, especially in this particular draft class. The 7-foot-1 center has morphed into one of the most devastating defensive forces in the entire NBA, but even without the benefit of that knowledge, Gobert’s length, athleticism and skill are the picture of what the league seeks in big men at this stage. It really does not make a ton of sense.</p> <p>Alas, the Magic went elsewhere with this pick originally, and they would love to have a re-do. That, of course, isn’t a slight to Victor Oladipo, who has been just fine since arriving from Indiana, but Gobert is another level as a prospect.</p> <p>Injuries cost Gobert considerably in his third season, as he participated in only 61 games and battled his health throughout. However, the 2014-2015 season was enough to prove that Gobert’s upside is very real. During that campaign, he produced a 21.6 PER while blocking 2.3 shots per game (in only 26.3 minutes), and Gobert’s injection into the starting lineup for the second half of the season completely changed Utah’s culture on the defensive end of the court.</p> <p>Age isn’t a concern with Gobert, as he remains just 23 years old at the time of this post, and you would be hard pressed to find a better center to build around from a defensive standpoint. He’s a monster.</p>. C