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Hindsight is 20/20: Redoing the 2015 NBA Draft

By Cody Williams

Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 15, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court against the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court against the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Devin Booker, SG

Original Pick: Jahlil Okafor

Just barely turning 19-years old at the start of his rookie year, the Phoenix Suns made the wise decision to let Devin Booker come along slowly. They increased his role as the year progressed, and he started to reward them as he came into his own. Though the Suns as a whole continued to struggle, Booker became one of the focal points in the desert in his second season. And it very much seems like the sweet shooting guard is on his way to becoming a star.

Obviously the first thing that people would point to would be his 70-point performance in the 2016-17 season. Though the final total might be a bit inflated given the way the end of the game played out, 70 points is 70 points. Overall, though, Booker has proven to be a lethal offensive threat for the Suns.

This past season, the Kentucky product (at just 20 years old) posted per-36 minute averages of 22.8 points, 3.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds. His overall shooting efficiency was just 42.3 percent, but he increased his 3-point efficiency from 34.3 percent as a rookie to 36.3 percent last year. With his stroke, it’s not hard to imagine even that improving.

Booker seems to be hard-wired to be an NBA scorer of the highest regard. Though his defense hasn’t fully come around, his continuing maturation could help him further develop in that regard. It’s quite clear that he never should’ve slipped all the way to No. 13 and, frankly, shouldn’t have slipped past the third pick.

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