1. Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Original draft slot: 13
There’s a good case for three or four players from this 2017 NBA Draft class to be the first overall pick in this re-draft. But that top spot winds up going to a former Louisville Cardinals guard that was originally picked by the Utah Jazz, Donovan Mitchell. The 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie Team honoree has a 20.2 player efficiency rating this season and is averaging more than 25.0 points per game.
As part of that elusive 2021 free agency class that will receive so much attention and such a large price tag, Mitchell could become the face of the Jazz franchise or go somewhere else. But landing him would make an immediate difference for a Philadelphia 76ers team that could use additional volume scoring and outside shooting.
The original first overall pick of the Sixers in the 2017 draft, former Washington Huskies point guard Markelle Fultz, was pretty much a complete bust in their eyes. The Sixers barely even got the often-injured Fultz out on the floor. He was traded off to the Orlando Magic over the offseason and is trying to work his way back into relevance as a starting guard in the Eastern Conference.
However, Mitchell is showing improvement in nearly every per game stat category this season. He’s taking over a firm leadership role on a Jazz team that is trying to find consistency in the Western Conference playoff race. Landing with such a solid Sixers team would be fantastic for both parties in the East, though.