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2015 NBA Re-Draft: Timberwolves take Towns or Booker?

By Dylan Jackson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 04: Karl-Anthony Towns #12 and Devin Booker #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats battle for position on a free throw with Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 04: Karl-Anthony Towns #12 and Devin Booker #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats battle for position on a free throw with Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The 2015 NBA Draft was one of the most consequential for the Minnesota Timberwolves. They had the 1stoverall selection, deciding to select Karl-Anthony Towns over D’Angelo Russell (Lakers, 2nd overall) and Jahlil Okafor (76ers, 3rd overall). It was clearly the correct decision at the time.

Looking back, though, it is interesting to see who the first overall would have been if the draft were re-done today. There is a lot of talent in that draft class (as well as a lot of star power). There were also, however, a lot of players that flopped, such as Mario Hezonja with the fifth overall pick.

NBA Draft: Re-picking the 2015 class

The one thing lacking in the 2015 NBA Draft, looking back, is the lack of high-level role players. Compared to more recent drafts, there is a huge drop off after the top-10-to-15 guys.

Still, though, it is worth taking a look at the 2015 draft, seeing if teams really made the correct decision. For the Timberwolves, they ended up having both the first and second overall pick(s) on their roster – with Towns and Russell being two of their core players.

The Lakers and 76ers did not hold onto their players for long, with Okafor only playing two full seasons in Philadelphia, and Russell being traded for salary cap flexibility (and Brook Lopez) during the 2017 NBA Draft.

The second round of the 2015 Draft did, also, have some steals. Montrezl Harrell, Richaun Holmes, and Josh Richardson were all picked in the final 30 selections.

Let’s get into the re-draft.