Dunking With Wolves
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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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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 25: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers and Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 25: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers and Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Kristaps Porzingis. player. 38. PF/C. INTL. 5. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

The Orlando Magic originally selected Mario Hezonja with the fifth overall selection in 2015. This one, like the last *checks notes* five picks, did not work out. Hezonja gave some shining moments, although they came towards the end of his tenure with the Magic (and some moments with the Knicks, as well).

Hezonja averaged almost seven points and three rebounds during his career, with purely inefficient shooting splits. He simply was not good – like not even rotational-player-on-a-bad-team type good.

In 2019-20, he played 53 games for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging less than five points per game – and it looks as though the door has closed on an NBA career for Hezonja.

NBA Draft: Re-picking the 2015 class

Kristaps Porzingis, on the other hand, has had an up-and-down career. To start, he gave us one of Stephen A. Smith’s most legendary rants:

"“New York Knick fans were at the Barkley’s Center booing because we recognize that we have been hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, run amuck, and flat-out deceived by Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks.” – Stephen A. Smith"

Other than that, Porzingis, has made an All-Star appearance, as well as finishing second in the Rookie of the Year race in 2015, just behind Karl-Anthony Towns.

The reason he isn’t higher is because Porzingis really has failed to affect winning at a high level over the course of the past two seasons. Watching him leaves you wanting more from the 7-foot-2 big man. He’s good – but not great. The Magic are doing significantly better than Mario Hezonja by selecting him – although there is a chance his contract becomes a poor value in Dallas moving forward.