Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Redrafting the Cleveland Cavaliers rookies from 2004-2009 (LeBron James Era)

By Chad Porto

LeBron James (R) of Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball against Pat Garrity (C) and Hedo Turkoglu of Orlando Magic during their NBA pre-season game at the Venetian Macao in Macau, 20 October 2007. Orlando Magic won 100-84. AFP PHOTO/Ted ALJIBE (Photo credit should read TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images)
LeBron James (R) of Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball against Pat Garrity (C) and Hedo Turkoglu of Orlando Magic during their NBA pre-season game at the Venetian Macao in Macau, 20 October 2007. Orlando Magic won 100-84. AFP PHOTO/Ted ALJIBE (Photo credit should read TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX – DECEMBER 21: J.J. Hickson #21 of the Cleveland Cavaliers puts up a shot over Channing Frye #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 21, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 109-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – DECEMBER 21: J.J. Hickson #21 of the Cleveland Cavaliers puts up a shot over Channing Frye #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 21, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 109-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2008 – Draft Pick No. 19

1st Round

Drafted: JJ Hickson
Re-Drafted: Serge Ibaka

2nd Round

Drafted: N/A (Milt Palacio Trade)
Re-Drafted: N/A

J.J. Hickson wasn’t a bad player at all, not great by any means but he was a solid enough player to warrant a spot in the draft. The problem with Hickson is that he came into the league right when it was changing. The North Carolina State product wasn’t suited for the modern NBA game. Having never made a three-point shot in his career, the power forward was out of the league in 2016.

Hickson’s only 31 and continues to player internationally, but was arrested for armed robbery in 2018. So he’s clearly having a time.

The better option for the evolving game of the NBA and the perfect forward compliment to Jame would’ve been Ibaka. Everyone saw what James did in Miami with Chris Bosh, and while Ibaka wasn’t as good of an overall scorer as Bosh, Ibaka was a better defender who could play both ways. Ibaka was also a fantastic roleplayer out the gate, playing minimal minutes he produced some impressive stats with Oklahoma City.

Ibaka was more pro-ready than Hickson was and had a higher ceiling, and deeper skill sets too. The only problem is that Ibaka wouldn’t be able to carry a team on his own, making it all the more likely that should James still leave in this scenario, Ibaka would still end up getting traded just like he was by the Thunder.

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