2007 NBA re-draft: The way it should have been
The 2007 NBA draft class had a ton of potential, with one of the top two picks already cemented as a surefire first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. The actual No. 1 pick had worlds of promise, too, but injuries ended his career far too quickly.
In the end, this class is made up mostly of journeymen, reserves, and a solid role player here or there. It was nothing special.
Below, our 2007 NBA re-draft, the way it should have been.
No. 1 pick: Kevin Durant
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Had injuries not taken so much time away during his prime and had he not joined a historically great Golden State Warriors team, Kevin Durant might quietly sit even higher on people’s all-time player rankings. Still, there’s no doubt he’s one of the best players in history, one of the greatest scorers ever in a 7-foot package with elite length and impressive ball-handling and shooting ability. His falling to No. 2 behind Greg Oden in the 2007 draft wasn’t seen as an absurd decision at the time but now, with the benefit of the hindsight, we can easily say it was.
Actual position: 2
Career earnings: $314,170,742
Career stats: 27.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.3 apg, 49.9 FG%, 38.4 3P%
Scouting Report
No. 2 pick: Mike Conley
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
A college teammate of Greg Oden at Ohio State, Mike Conley fell to No. 4 in the draft that year, a position he has outperformed thanks to his longevity and seasons of steady play. Conley was never a star but he was always reliable throughout his prime thanks to his ability to run an offense and shoot from beyond the arc. He also had a nifty off-hand floater that helped him finish among taller players down low.
Actual position: 4
Career earnings: $229,541,596
Career stats: 14.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.7 apg, 43.8 FG%, 38.2 3P%
Scouting Report
No. 3 pick: Al Horford
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
One of the players who helped Florida defeat a loaded Ohio State team in the 2007 NCAA national championship game, Al Horford went third overall in his draft class, which is exactly where we have him going in this re-draft. Horford is like Conley in that he was never a huge star in the NBA but he has – to this day – been a steady two-way big man, an above-average starter for many years. Horford’s defense and shooting ability have helped set him apart as a pro.
Actual position: 3
Career earnings: $243,228,232
Career stats: 13.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 51.3 FG%, 37.4 3P%
Scouting Report
No. 4 pick: Marc Gasol
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
When his draft rights were traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the deal for his brother, many thought the inclusion of Marc Gasol to be an afterthought. The younger Gasol brother proved that wrong, however, becoming an eventual Defensive Player of the Year and an impactful starting center for Memphis. Gasol could also do some scoring and playmaking as a center.
Actual position: 48
Career earnings: $185,786,591
Career stats: 14.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 48.1 FG%, 36.0 3P%
Scouting Report
No. 5 pick: Joakim Noah
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
A teammate of Horford’s with the Gators, Joakim Noah might have arguably had a higher peak than Horford, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, the same year he was named 1st Team All-NBA to go with his two career All-Star appearances. Noah was an elite defender and playmaker for a center, and could really get after it on the glass.
Actual position: 9
Career earnings: $139,035,960
Career stats: 8.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 49.1 FG%, 70.0 FT%
Joakim Noah Rumors
No. 6 pick: Thaddeus Young
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
This is where this re-draft starts to fall off a bit, as although Thaddeus Young and the following players on this list were fine role players, none were close to being elite. Still, though, for a late lottery pick to enjoy as long of a career as Young has is impressive, as the lefty power forward could handle the ball, score and had defensive versatility in his prime.
Actual position: 12
Career earnings: $132,718,742
Career stats: 12.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 50.3 FG%, 32.8 3P%
Scouting Report
No. 7 pick: Jeff Green
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Another versatile, role-playing power forward, Jeff Green was similar to Young in that he had good longevity without having a great peak. Green was also a freak athlete in his prime, with highlight-reel dunks galore throughout his career.
Actual position: 5
Career earnings: $76,934,810
Career stats: 12.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 45.0 FG%, 33.7 3P%
Jeff Green Rumors
No. 8 pick: Nick Young
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
He may be remembered most for the memes and GIFs, but Nick Young was a solid bench scorer for many years, a player with ultra confidence that could get hot at a moment’s notice and fill up the scoring column without providing much else on either end of the floor.
Actual position: 16
Career earnings: $39,375,829
Career stats: 11.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 41.8 FG%, 37.6 3P%
Nick Young Rumors
No. 9 pick: Wilson Chandler
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
In his prime, Wilson Chandler was another versatile power forward who could really handle the ball, hit some threes and do damage as a slasher off the ball.
Actual position: 23
Career earnings: $73,745,287
Career stats: 12.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 44.3 FG%, 34.1 3P%
Wilson Chandler Rumors
No. 10 pick: Corey Brewer
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Along with Noah and Horford, Corey Brewer formed an all-time frontcourt at the University of Florida, helping the school win back-to-back national titles during his time there. In the NBA, Brewer was a solid role player, a slashing wing that could defend – and one who somewhat inexplicably scored 51 points in an NBA game.
Actual position: 7
Career earnings: $54,175,934
Career stats: 8.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.5 apg, 42.5 FG%, 28.4 3P%
Corey Brewer Rumors
No. 11 pick: Aaron Brooks
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Another career role player, Aaron Brooks did well to last a long time in the NBA thanks to his bombastic scoring ability and outstanding quickness.
Actual position: 26
Career earnings: $19,913,114
Career stats: 9.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 41.3 FG%, 37.0 3P%
Aaron Brooks Rumors
No. 12 pick: Arron Afflalo
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Better remembered by the casual fans for being a song lyric in a Kendrick Lamar track, Arron Afflalo was a solid player in his own right, a two-way 2-guard who played with a lot of tenacity on defense and who could knock down open threes, as well as shots from the midrange off the dribble.
Actual position: 27
Career earnings: $61,084,429
Career stats: 10.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 45.0 FG%, 38.6 3P%
Arron Afflalo Rumors
No. 13 pick: Jared Dudley
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jared Dudley was another player who stuck it out a long time in the NBA thanks to being a high-effort swingman who could hit open threes and be trusted to do his job on a nightly basis.
Actual position: 22
Career earnings: $62,197,534
Career stats: 7.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 46.3 FG%, 39.3 3P%
Jared Dudley Rumors
No. 14 pick: Marco Belinelli
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
A confident guard who could get hot in a hurry, Marco Belinelli played with a lot of confidence and could knock down threes from all over the floor when he got it going. His main issue apart from efficiency was a lack of defensive impact.
Actual position: 18
Career earnings: $49,155,000
Career stats: 9.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.7 apg, 42.4 FG%, 37.6 3P%
Marco Belinelli Rumors
No. 15 pick: Rodney Stuckey
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Not the most efficient from the arc, Rodney Stuck specialized in scoring from inside of it, often able to hit difficult shots from the midrange and near the basket.
Actual position: 15
Career earnings: $48,557,071
Career stats: 12.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 42.3 FG%, 30.0 3P%
Rodney Stuckey Rumors
No. 16 pick: Carl Landry
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Power forward Carl Landry was undersized for his position but had a very effective face-up game thanks to his patience and shot-fakes on offense. He just wasn’t enough of a threat from three to last longer in the NBA.
Actual position: 31
Career earnings: $48,927,163
Career stats: 10.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.7 apg, 53.5 FG%, 30.0 3P%
Carl Landry Rumors
No. 17 pick: Ramon Sessions
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
A reliable floor general for many years, Ramon Sessions was a fringe starter at times but at his best coming off the bench, providing playmaking and inside-the-arc scoring from his point-guard position.
Actual position: 56
Career earnings: $36,276,568
Career stats: 10.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.1 apg, 43.4 FG%, 31.6 3P%
Ramon Sessions Rumors
No. 18 pick: Rudy Fernandez
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More acclaimed for his contributions overseas, where he has won just about everything with Spain and Real Madrid, than for his NBA days, Rudy Fernandez could score and get hot quickly from beyond the arc.
Actual position: 24
Career earnings: $5,676,523
Career stats: 9.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 39.9 FG%, 36.0 3P%
Rudy Fernandez Rumors
No. 19 pick: Tiago Splitter
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Best remembered for getting blocked by LeBron James in the Finals that one time, Tiago Splitter deserves credit for lasting a good amount of time in the NBA thanks to his defense, screen-setting and pick-and-roll finishing.
Actual position: 28
Career earnings: $47,016,000
Career stats: 7.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 55.5 FG%, 14.3 3P%
Tiago Splitter Rumors
No. 20 pick: Glen Davis
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Glen Davis at his peak was a very fun player to watch in the NBA, a capable scorer with his face-up and post-up game, though he provided little on the defensive end. Still, for a player with his athletic and size-related limitations, that he made as much of an impact as he did for the Celtics was impressive.
Actual position: 35
Career earnings: $34,716,665
Career stats: 8.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.9 apg, 44.7 FG%, 18.2 3P%
Glen Davis Rumors
No. 21 pick: Anthony Tolliver
Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Tolliver was a career three-point specialist in the NBA who would enjoy the occasional scoring outburst here or there. Not bad for an undrafted player to earn over $32 million in their playing career, either.
Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $32,031,999
Career stats: 6.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg, 41.4 FG%, 37.3 3P%
Anthony Tolliver Rumors
No. 22 pick: Spencer Hawes
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
A floor-spacing center, Spencer Hawes could hit threes and give guards and wings room to operate. Even so, more was expected out of a Top 10 pick.
Actual position: 10
Career earnings: $49,219,853
Career stats: 8.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 45.7 FG%, 35.0 3P%
Spencer Hawes Rumors
No. 23 pick: Brandan Wright
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Another Top 10 pick disappointment, Brandan Wright could finish above the rim and did damage out of the pick-and-roll, but injuries did in his prime early.
Actual position: 8
Career earnings: $39,928,084
Career stats: 7.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, 60.7 FG%, 67.4 FT%
Brandan Wright Rumors
No. 24 pick: Mirza Teletovic
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Had blood-clotting not ended his career prematurely, Mirza Teletovic might have ranked higher on this list, as the Bosnian swingman had great size on the wing and could really shoot the basketball.
Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $46,687,150
Career stats: 8.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.8 apg, 40.6 FG%, 37.1 3P%
Mirza Teletovic Rumors
No. 25 pick: Josh McRoberts
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Josh McRoberts was another floor-spacing big man, though one who could handle the basketball and make flashy passes. Regardless, he lacked the athleticism to be anything more than a fringe role player most years of his career.
Actual position: 37
Career earnings: $34,288,647
Career stats: 5.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 46.3 FG%, 34.0 3P%
Josh McRoberts Rumors
No. 26 pick: Joel Anthony
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
One of the better stories from this draft class, Joel Anthony was a no-nonsense big man who had poor hands and finishing ability, and zero offensive game, but won two championships with the Miami Heat anyway thanks to his impactful shot-blocking skills.
Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $23,377,987
Career stats: 2.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 51.3 FG%, 66.2 FT%
Joel Anthony Rumors
No. 27 pick: Yi Jianlian
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Considered to potentially be the next Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian looked good in workouts on his way to being the No. 6 pick in the 2007 draft. Unfortunately, those workouts were mostly against literal chairs or against no defense, as his shooting ability didn’t translate to the NBA while his stiffness caused him to have a short career in America.
Actual position: 6
Career earnings: $14,085,936
Career stats: 7.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.7 bpg, 40.4 FG%, 33.3 3P%
Yi Jianlian Rumors
No. 28 pick: Gary Neal
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Another fun story like Anthony’s, Gary Neal was undrafted out of 2007 but went on to stick it out in the NBA for a good amount of time thanks to his one skill: shooting. Neal came close to winning a championship with the San Antonio Spurs, too, but he left the team right before they won it all in 2013-14.
Actual position: Undrafted
Career earnings: $10,970,388
Career stats: 9.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 42.2 FG%, 38.2 3P%
Gary Neal Rumors
No. 29 pick: Al Thornton
Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
Florida State standout Al Thornton could do some scoring but got tunnel vision too often when he had the ball and was not efficient enough as a scorer to have a major role in the NBA.
Actual position: 14
Career earnings: $8,142,916
Career stats: 11.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 45.2 FG%, 29.3 3P%
Al Thornton Rumors
No. 30 pick: Greg Oden
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The saddest story out of the 2007 draft, Greg Oden looked like the NBA’s next star big man before injuries limited his playing career to 114 total games, playoffs included. Oden had good post moves, great athleticism and size for a center, and soft touch near the basket. His knees just didn’t hold up. For a glimpse at how good he could have been and why the Blazers took him No. 1 overall, just consider that in the national title game against Florida’s Horford-Noah-Brewer frontcourt, Oden still went off for 25 points (10-of-15 shooting) and 12 rebounds. He could have been special.
Actual position: 1
Career earnings: $24,322,868
Career stats: 8.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 57.4 FG%, 65.8 FT%
Greg Oden Rumors
Biggest risers
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Tolliver: From undrafted to No. 21
Joel Anthony: From undrafted to No. 25
Gary Neal: From undrafted to No. 27
Mirza Teletovic: From undrafted to No. 28
Marc Gasol: From No. 48 to No. 4 (+44)
Ramon Sessions: From No. 56 to No. 17 (+39)
Aaron Brooks: From No. 26 to No. 11 (+15)
Arron Afflalo: From No. 27 to No. 12 (+15)
Carl Landry: From No. 31 to No. 16 (+15)
Glen Davis: From No. 35 to No. 20 (+15)
Wilson Chandler: From No. 23 to No. 9 (+14)
Highest picks not listed
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Acie Law: No. 11
Julian Wright: No. 13
Sean Williams: No. 17
Javaris Crittenton: No. 19
Jason Smith: No. 20
Daequan Cook: No. 21
Morris Almond: No. 25
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