2021 NBA re-draft: Where would Herb Jones be picked now?

Herbert Jones has been a revelation for the New Orleans Pelicans since they drafted him with the 35th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

It was supposed to be 17th pick Trey Murphy III making a case for Rookie of the Year, but instead it has been Jones, whose defense and ability to attack the rim have made him close to a lock for the All Rookie team.

The 2021 NBA rookie class has been one of the best in recent memory, with impact players up and down the 1st-round and well into the second as was the case with Jones.

If we did a re-draft today, I don’t think a whole lot would change at the top, but one thing is for certain, there is no way Herb Jones would fall out of the lottery.

In fact, I think there is a strong chance he’d be taken in the top-10 if the 2021 NBA Draft were done again knowing what we know now.

2021 NBA re-Draft: Where would Herb Jones go now?

If the 2021 NBA Draft were done again, this is how I think the top-10 would change:

• Cade Cunningham-Pistons
• Evan Mobley-Rockets
• Scottie Barnes-Cavaliers
• Jalen Green-Raptors
• Josh Giddey-Magic
• Jalen Suggs-Thunder
• Herb Jones-Warriors
• Franz Wagner-Magic
• Jonathan Kuminga-Kings
• Chris Duarte-Pelicans

Some of the names at the top have shuffled. I think the Pistons are happy with Cade Cunningham at number one, but Evan Mobley is probably going to win Rookie of the Year and I think the Rockets might take him over Jalen Green, though he has been playing well lately too.

Scottie Barnes jumps up to three and Green gets pushed to four in my re-draft, while Josh Giddey and Jalen Suggs swap places.

Next up is the Warriors with the 7th pick and if it were to be done again today, I think there is a good chance they’d take Jones over Kuminga. Kuminga may be the higher-ceiling talent but Jones would help the Warriors win a title this season.

He’d also be a perfect replacement for Draymond Green down the road, as the two have similar games defensively.

I don’t think there is any way that Herb Jones would drop out of the top-10 of the draft if it were done again today, which is great news for the Pelicans, who already have him and got a premier defensive player with the 35th pick.