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Redrafting The 1st Round Of The 2014 NBA Draft

By Colby Giacubeno

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number one overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number one overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball against Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball against Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Boston Celtics: Nikola Jokic, Serbia

Original selection: 41st by the Denver Nuggets

2015-16 statistics: 9.6 PPG 5.9 RPG 0.5 BPG 22.35 PER

This is Nikola Jokic’s first season in the NBA since coming over from the Serbian League, and although his name isn’t recognizable, he’s putting up great numbers. He recently had a huge game in which he reached career-highs of 27 points and 14 rebounds in a big win over the Toronto Raptors.

At 6’10” with long arms, Jokic has good size as an NBA big man. His feel for the game and soft touch around the rim make him a threat when working with a playmaking point guard. Jokic has also shown glimpses of shooting three’s–making 13 of his 36 attempts this season. He isn’t an elite shot blocker, but his length can force opposing players to become off balance when penetrating.

The Celtics roster is loaded with front court talent, but there’s no way a genius coach such a Brad Stevens wouldn’t love to have Jokic on the court with Isaiah Thomas in pick-and-roll situations. In addition, if Jokic can continue to improve on his outside shooting, spacing the floor would leave opponents in a world of trouble.

Next: No. 18