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Redrafting the 2016 NBA Draft class

By Simon Shortt

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses for a group photo on stage with draft prospects before the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses for a group photo on stage with draft prospects before the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) defends Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere (3) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) defends Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere (3) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Original Pick: Thon Maker
New Pick: Skal Labissiere

Luckily for the Milwaukee Bucks, and their fans, no team gets a second chance to take their rookies. Maker is clearly their center of the future, and Brogdon is a Rookie of the Year finalist after going in the second round. And if everyone got a do-over, Milwaukee would likely not have either. They could get another gem in this re-draft though, one that provides similar positives to Maker, and that is Kentucky big man Skal Labissiere.

Skal was this year’s Harry Giles. He came into college with very high draft stock (at one point considered top three) but after his one year in school that came crashing down. Unlike Giles, Labissiere wasn’t dealing with multiple major knee surgeries, he just didn’t look that good for coach John Calipari. But he proved the tools and potential we all saw would translate to the NBA game this year by having a positive showing as a rookie.

After starting the year on the bench, Skal got a chance to prove himself post-DeMarcus Cousins trade. He only saw only 102 minutes across 11 games from November-February, averaging just 4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, but his production skyrocketed in March and April, appearing in 22 games with 12 starts and averaging 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds. He would continue the length trend in Milwaukee, while providing the potential to shoot from deep.