Re-Drafting the 2014 NBA Draft

Jarnell Stokes. 30. player. 29. <p><strong>Original pick: Kyle Anderson</strong></p> <p>Jarnell Stokes was originally a second round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Jarnell Stokes has played a grand total of 144 minutes in 26 games at the NBA level. How, you ask, was he able to move up in our re-boot?</p> <p>He’s been <em>awesome</em> in the D-League.</p> <p>Many NBA followers scoff at the notion of the D-League mattering at all, but Stokes was the league’s MVP in 2015-2016. As a member of the Sioux Falls Skyforce, he averaged 20.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, and Stokes was the best player on a title-winning team at that level.</p> <p>At 6-foot-9, Stokes is probably a center and that is something of a concern, but he has the bulk (260-plus pounds) and strength to operate against all but the biggest of opponents. No one questions Stokes’ ability as a rebounder and finisher around the rim, and if he is able to adequately protect the rim in a reserve role, there is no reason to think that he could not become a legitimate rotation big man in the NBA.</p> <p>Stokes is just 22 years old and even without a ton of NBA experience, it is easy to see why people around the league like him quite a bit.</p>. C/PF. Tennessee