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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 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Orlando Magic: Julius Randle, Kentucky

Original selection: 7th by the Los Angeles Lakers

2015-16 statistics: 11.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 0.4 BPG, 13.75 PER

Julius Randle made the top 10 list as a freshman for the Naismith College Player of the Year, so you could imagine the stock that he had prior to the draft. Somehow, he ended up slipping to the Lakers at seven, which was a steal, but if there was a redraft, he would go top-five without hesitation.

His athleticism and power make him an exciting watch when he is driving to the basket. His career didn’t get off to the expected start, though.

In his first game as a pro, he broke his right tibia and had season-ending surgery.

This season is really his rookie season since he missed all of his technical rookie year, but Randle plays like he hasn’t missed a beat. Even with Byron Scott’s bipolar decision-making with starting lineups or rotations at the end of games, Randle is sure to answer when his number is called.

The Magic would benefit off drafting Randle rather than Aaron Gordon simply because Randle plays with more confidence. He doesn’t back down from opposing big men in any situation and is always looking for a dunk that can change the momentum of the game. Pair him with Nikola Vucevic, and they would be a nice, strong frontcourt in the East.

Next: No. 5