Looking Back at the 2012 NBA Redraft: Where Would Stars Land Today?

I still remember sitting in my dorm room watching the 2012 NBA Draft unfold, notebook in hand as I scribbled down picks and immediate reactions. At the time, we all knew Anthony Davis would go first—that was as certain as sunrise. But looking back now with over a decade of perspective, the 2012 class reveals fascinating what-ifs that could have dramatically altered multiple franchises. What strikes me most isn't just how wrong many projections were, but how international talent has reshaped the league's landscape since then. The recent 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup demonstrated this shift perfectly, with Canada proving they can take down Team USA and other traditional powerhouses—a reality that echoes how undervalued international prospects were back in 2012.

If we were redrafting today with full knowledge of these players' careers, Anthony Davis would undoubtedly retain his top spot. The Pelicans made the right call selecting a generational big man who's since won a championship with the Lakers in 2020. But here's where it gets interesting—Damian Lillard, who went sixth to Portland, would likely jump to second overall. I've always been higher on Lillard than most analysts, and his career 25.2 points per game average and iconic clutch moments make him arguably the greatest Blazer ever. The Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) originally picked Michael Kidd-Gilchrist second, one of the biggest miss-evaluations in draft history. In our redraft, they'd snag Draymond Green, whose defensive versatility and basketball IQ would have transformed their franchise. Green's impact on Golden State's four championships demonstrates how foundational he is—exactly what Charlotte desperately needed.

The third pick becomes particularly fascinating when you consider international context. Bradley Beal, originally chosen third, has put up fantastic scoring numbers but hasn't led teams deep into playoffs. Meanwhile, the 2023 FIBA World Cup showed how players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (from the 2018 class, I know) led Canada to bronze—their first medal in 87 years—proving international players can dominate. This reminds me how we underestimated 2012's international prospects. Khris Middleton, selected 39th by Detroit, would rocket up boards today. His clutch performances in Milwaukee's 2021 championship run demonstrated All-Star capability we completely missed. I'd slot him fourth overall in our redraft, ahead of where he actually went by a staggering 35 picks.

What continues to surprise me about the 2012 class is how many quality starters emerged from later picks. Harrison Barnes (7th), Andre Drummond (9th), and Evan Fournier (20th) all had solid careers, but the real steals came even later. I've always had a soft spot for Jae Crowder, who went 34th but developed into the ultimate "3-and-D" wing that every contender covets. His toughness and playoff experience with multiple teams would push him into the late lottery in our redraft. Then there's Will Barton, selected 40th, who became a reliable scorer for Denver during their ascent. These second-round success stories highlight how draft evaluation has evolved—teams now better recognize the value of role players who fit modern systems.

The international influence we see today was already brewing in 2012, though few recognized it. Jonas Valančiūnas, originally picked fifth, has been consistently productive for over a decade, but teams might now prefer his traditional center skills less in today's spacing-oriented game. Meanwhile, Tomas Satoransky (32nd) and Kostas Papanikolaou (undrafted) showed flashes but didn't stick in the NBA—though both became EuroLeague stars. This global talent pipeline has only strengthened, as evidenced by Canada's FIBA success with seven NBA players on their roster. The lesson for teams today is to scout globally more aggressively—the next Gilgeous-Alexander might be developing overseas right now.

Reflecting on this exercise, the 2012 redraft teaches us that team fit and development systems matter enormously. Draymond Green might not have become the same player outside Golden State's movement-heavy offense, just as Lillard's legendary work ethic might not have flourished everywhere. The biggest takeaway for me personally—having covered this draft class throughout their careers—is that we overvalued athletic measurables and undervalued basketball IQ and shooting potential. Teams that prioritized wings who could defend multiple positions and space the floor (like Crowder and Middleton) found tremendous value later in the draft. As we look toward future drafts, the rising global competition means American prospects can no longer assume dominance—the 2023 FIBA results made that abundantly clear. The 2012 class, with its mix of superstars, solid starters, and international talent, perfectly encapsulates this transitional period in basketball, making it one of the most fascinating drafts to revisit.