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Where would OG Anunoby in a 2017 NBA Re-Draft?

By Anisa Jamal

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: OG Anunoby speaks with the media after being selected 23rd overall by the Toronto Raptors at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: OG Anunoby speaks with the media after being selected 23rd overall by the Toronto Raptors at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After being selected 23rd overall, Toronto Raptors rookie OG Anunoby has been a tremendous success. Where would OG go if they had a re-draft today?

With the 23rd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors selected OG Anunoby.

Suffering from a knee injury, OG fell lower in the draft than many expected. A player who can contribute on both ends of the floor is something of value in the current NBA. With the 23rd pick Toronto got exactly what they were looking for and more.

After a disappointing exit in the 2018 postseason, the only glimmer of hope to hang on to was OG Anunoby. A reason to look forward to next season, to watch him grow and improve as a player.

His defensive effort is what separates him from his draft peers, despite not being considered a huge offensive threat. Defense that the Raptors were in dire need of after last season. Both on and off the court, he displayed his confidence. Had teams recognized the value OG brought, he would no doubt have gone higher in the draft.

It’s not very often that a rookie is expected to contribute to a playoff team, let alone one with the second best record in the league. Aside from Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, and a few others, OG had similar stats to many of the players drafted before him.

We saw improvements in his game during the postseason, where he averaged more points per game than the regular season. He wasn’t one bit hesitant when put up to the task of guarding the likes of Lebron James, in fact, he embraced it. This was a task rookies are not normally put up to. If the Raptors were to blow it up, is OG the guy they should build around? Would he be as valuable on any other team?

OG ranked 10th in defensive rating, 3rd in +/-, and 4th in offensive rating, among rookies during the regular season. He remained within the top 10 of these stats throughout the playoffs. He was consistent and reliable to a team that desperately needed him.

If the draft was re-held today, OG would likely fall somewhere between the 10th and 20th pick. Here’s how I see it playing out:

2017 Re-Draft

    1. Donovan Mitchell, Philadelphia 76ers
    2. Jayson Tatum, Los Angeles Lakers
    3. Kyle Kuzma, Boston Celtics
    4. Lauri Markkanen, Phoenix Suns
    5. Lonzo Ball, Sacramento Kings
    6. Dennis Smith Jr., Orlando Magic
    7. Josh Jackson, Minnesota Timberwolves, traded to Chicago Bulls
    8. Bogdan Bogdanovic, New York Knicks
    9. John Collins, Dallas Mavericks
    10. Markelle Fultz, Sacramento Kings – traded to Portland Trailblazers

Fultz’s potential was evident in glimpses this season and he garnered interest from the Lakers (number 2 pick) and Sixers (number 1 pick). Let’s say with the 10th pick, Fultz is selected before OG. I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume De’Aaron Fox, a better shooter, would have gone before him in the re-draft as well.

11. De’Aaron Fox, Charlotte Hornets

So where does OG go?

That leaves us with the 12th pick, which belonged to the Detroit Pistons.

    12. OG Anunoby, Detroit Pistons

Next: Ranking every Raptors contract from best to worst

If OG was selected with the 12th pick by the Pistons, we would have witnessed an OG-Dwane Casey duo, having been recently selected as the new head coach for the Pistons. The Raptors got lucky. Real lucky.

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