Re-Drafting the 2006 NBA Draft Using Advanced Analytics
5 Risers
Knowing what we know now, who went under-drafted?
| Player | Actual Pick | Re-Draft Pick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Millsap | 47 | 1 | -46 |
| P.J. Tucker | 35 | 10 | -25 |
| Kyle Lowry | 24 | 2 | -22 |
| Rajon Rondo | 21 | 3 | -18 |
| Steve Novak | 32 | 16 | -16 |
Three of these five players -- Millsap, Lowry and Rondo -- have had a lot of success. If we were drafting today, they'd be the top three picks in the 2006 re-draft. This comes as no surprise, though, as the three have a combined 219 career playoff games.
Tucker hasn't had such a successful career. He was out of the league for five years while playing overseas. He returned at the end of his prime and has taken up residence in Phoenix, where he's been a key veteran since 2012. He's now a mentor to the Suns' youth.
Steve Novak would still fall outside the top 15 even after he's proven to be a big-time NBA sharpshooter. Though he's connected on over 43% from deep, the sniper and Marquette alum has only 14.5 win shares over 11 seasons with a handful of teams.
