I still remember sitting in my dorm room watching the 2012 NBA Draft unfold, notebook in hand as I scribbled down predictions about which teams had found their franchise cornerstones. Back then, Anthony Davis going first overall felt like the safest bet in draft history—and honestly, it still does. But what fascinates me now, over a decade later, is how dramatically our perception of that draft class has shifted. If we were to redraft the 2012 class today with full knowledge of how these players developed, the entire first round would look radically different. The beauty of hindsight reveals not just individual careers but how certain players could have transformed different franchises entirely.
When I look at that 2012 class now, Damian Lillard stands out as perhaps the most interesting case study. Selected sixth originally by Portland, I'd argue he deserves to go second in a redraft. His loyalty to Portland became legendary, but imagine if he'd landed with a franchise that could have surrounded him with more talent earlier in his career. The Pelicans, who originally took Anthony Davis first, might have been tempted to pair Lillard with what eventually became their core. Yet Davis remains the undeniable first pick—his defensive impact and championship pedigree with the Lakers cement his status. What gets me thinking though is how the third through fifth picks would shake out. Draymond Green, originally a second-round steal, would absolutely crash the top five in a redraft. His defensive versatility and basketball IQ fueled Golden State's dynasty in ways nobody could have predicted in 2012.
The international flavor of that draft class deserves special mention, particularly when we consider how global basketball has evolved. Just as we've seen in recent international competitions—like the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup where Canada proved they could take down Team USA and other traditional powerhouses—the global game has dramatically closed the talent gap. In 2012, Jonas Valančiūnas went fifth to Toronto, but today I'd slide him down several spots despite his solid career. Meanwhile, Evan Fournier (originally 20th) and Khris Middleton (39th) would see significant rises in a redraft. Middleton's transformation into a championship second option for Milwaukee exemplifies how late picks can surpass early selections. I've always been higher on Middleton than most analysts—his mid-range game reminds me of vintage scorers from previous eras.
What strikes me about redrafting this class is how it reflects broader NBA trends. The league in 2012 was still transitioning toward the positionless basketball we see today. Players like Draymond Green were considered 'tweeners' back then, but today they're the prototypes for modern defenders. Similarly, Bradley Beal (originally third) would still land in the top seven, but his exact placement would depend heavily on team needs. I'd probably slot him fifth behind Green and Lillard, though some GMs might value his scoring punch higher. The Harrison Barnes discussion always divides opinion—selected seventh originally, I'd likely move him down to the late teens in a redraft. Solid player, but never quite the star some projected.
The real tragedy of this draft class remains the 'what if' surrounding players derailed by injuries. I can't help but wonder how high Andre Drummond might have gone if teams knew he'd lead the league in rebounding four times but never develop beyond that specific role. Originally going ninth, I'd probably drop him to the early 20s in a redraft—specialized skills matter, but complete players win in today's NBA. Then there's the curious case of Terrence Ross, the eighth pick whose athletic highlights sometimes overshadowed his inconsistent production. I've always had a soft spot for players like Ross who show flashes of brilliance but never quite put it all together consistently.
When I compare the 2012 redraft to more recent classes, what stands out is how this group produced several franchise players but lacked the depth of superstar talent we see in drafts like 2018 or 2003. Beyond the top seven or eight players in a redraft, the quality drops noticeably. Players like Miles Plumlee (26th originally) and Festus Ezeli (30th) would likely fall out of the first round entirely in a redraft. Meanwhile, Will Barton (40th) and Jae Crowder (34th) would comfortably slide into the late first round given their lengthy careers as quality rotation players. This disparity between early and late picks highlights how imperfect the draft process remains, despite advanced analytics and scouting.
My personal biggest miss from that draft? I was completely wrong about Dion Waiters. I thought the fourth pick would become a perennial All-Star, but instead he became the embodiment of inefficient volume scoring. In a redraft, he'd likely fall to the second round—a sobering reminder that even the most promising prospects can falter. Meanwhile, I was higher than most on Tyler Zeller (17th originally), and while he had a respectable career, he wouldn't crack the first round in a redraft either. These miscalculations humble me when I look at current draft prospects—they remind me that development systems and fit matter as much as raw talent.
The lasting impact of the 2012 draft extends beyond individual careers. It represents a transitional period where teams began valuing versatility over traditional positional requirements. The success of players like Green and Middleton signaled a shift in how teams evaluate talent—focusing more on scalable skills than prototypical measurements. As I reflect on how differently this draft would unfold today, it reinforces my belief that context matters tremendously in player development. Where a player lands can be as important as their inherent talent, which makes the draft both frustrating and fascinating to analyze years later. The 2012 class gave us everything from superstars to role players to cautionary tales—a perfect microcosm of why we find the NBA Draft endlessly compelling.