NBA fans across the world love it when publications put together their best version of an NBA re-draft. It is an excellent and hypothetical way to take a look back at a past NBA Draft and see how things would have turned out with the knowledge we have at the present moment and how differently the league would look as a whole due to a re-draft.

Usually, we select one past NBA Draft class and make every first-round selection based on what we know now. Two years ago, we decided to combine two NBA Draft classes into one and do a combined re-draft between the 1996 and 2003 classes of players. Today, we again combined two of the most iconic draft classes to do the same.

Today’s combined re-draft will be between the 1984 and 2003 NBA Draft classes, which featured numerous Hall of Famers, MVPs, NBA champions, and Finals MVPs throughout NBA history. No battle will be bigger than the one for the top spot in the draft between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. With those two vying for the number-one selection, the other 20-plus choices make for an interesting debate between a legendary pool of players.

It should be noted that we will be using the 1984 NBA Draft order and teams involved before we go any further. Now that the rules are out of the way and the stage is set let’s get into the combined re-draft of the 1984 and 2003 NBA Draft classes.

1. Houston Rockets – Michael Jordan

Just as the actual 1984 re-draft went, Michael Jordan will be chosen with the first overall pick by the Houston Rockets. It is easy to see why Jordan is the choice in this spot as the GOAT of the sport and the gold standard for an NBA career. Michael Jordan would have thrived anywhere he went and undoubtedly delivered more championships than the two Hakeem Olajuwon did in the 1990s. Jordan went on to win six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, capturing an NBA-record six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, and became a global icon, the likes of which have never been replicated.

2. Portland Trail Blazers – LeBron James

Talk about a complete 180-degree turn from their original pick. Instead of Sam Bowie, the Portland Trail Blazers get arguably the greatest player ever in LeBron James. From every angle, there is no doubt that LeBron could do what the likes of Clyde Drexler and Damian Lillard couldn’t do by delivering Portland’s first NBA title since 1977. James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 2023, which was just the icing on top of an incredible career. James is a 4-time NBA champion, Finals MVP, and MVP of the league, with his name atop nearly every regular season and playoff statistic known to the game.

3. Chicago Bulls – Hakeem Olajuwon

The Bulls are one of the teams in this re-draft who receive an elite player despite losing an NBA legend in the process. Hakeem Olajuwon is no Michael Jordan, but he is without question one of the greatest players in NBA history. With his hellacious defensive presence and otherworldly footwork on offense, Olajuwon became one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history. He is a former MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time Finals MVP as well. He is the NBA’s all-time leader in blocks, who won three blocks titles and two rebounding titles in his career.

4. Dallas Mavericks – Dwyane Wade

What a turn of events for the Dallas Mavericks in this NBA re-draft. Landing in Dallas with the fourth overall pick in this combined re-draft is the third-greatest shooting guard in NBA history, Dwyane Wade. The Mavericks get exponentially better with this selection and likely get an NBA championship way before 2011, with Wade thrown in the mix. With a combination of relentless defensive pressure and shifty yet athletic offensive maneuvers, Wade brings an undeniably special s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set to the Mavs community. I am sure there are no hard feelings from 2006, right?

5. Philadelphia 76ers – Charles Barkley

Even in a combined re-draft, Charles Barkley cannot escape the City of Philadelphia and lands back with the 76ers. Barkley was a relentless offensive presence in the paint who, for what he lacked in size, made up for with physical toughness and strength. Barkley was a consistent 25.0 to 28.0 PPG scorer at his peak who would also grab double-digit rebounds with ease. He may not have been an NBA champion, but he was an MVP in 1993 as well as an 11-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA Team selection. Perhaps in the right situation and alternate reality, Barkley would have been an NBA champion.

6. Washington Bullets – John Stockton

The next player off the board at number six overall is the best point guard from this combined re-draft, John Stockton. Seeing Stockton in any other jersey than a Utah one would have been a sight to see, considering he spent 19 years with the Jazz. Stockton is one of the best two-way guards in NBA history who picked apart defenses with his IQ and playmaking abilities as well as made opponents’ lives miserable on the perimeter defensively. Stockton goes sixth overall in this re-draft for his ability to make his teammates better and his leadership that the rest of this combined draft lacks. The Bullets should consider themselves lucky to receive the NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals.

7. San Antonio Spurs – Carmelo Anthony

If we were back in 1984, Carmelo Anthony would likely waste away as an offensive talent with the Spurs just as he did with the Knicks in his prime and later on in his career with the Thunder, Lakers, and Trail Blazers. In 2003, Anthony would be taken under the wing of Gregg Popovich and maybe have zero questions about his legacy as a winning basketball player. Either way, Anthony gives any team an explosive three-level scoring talent who could get a bucket anytime on any defender thrown his way. The proof lies in his top 10 point total for his career and the scoring title he won in 2013.

8. Los Angeles Clippers – Chris Bosh

As we move down the 1984 and 2003 NBA re-draft, we still are selecting from a pool of Hall of Fame players which is good news for any teams still yet to make a pick. Coming off the board next is all-time great power forward and two-time NBA champion Chris Bosh. With the ability to stretch the floor and knock down perimeter shots, Bosh provided the prototype for stretch forwards in today’s game while doing it alongside two NBA greats in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade for years. Bosh going eight in this NBA re-draft is a blessing for the Clippers, who have had pretty bad luck for the last five decades.

9. Kansas City Kings – Alvin Robertson

After the selection of Bosh at eight, the Hall of Fame players have all been gobbled up by other teams. The quality of starters is still there, though and at number nine goes one of the most underrated players in league history, Alvin Robertson. During the 80s and 90s, there weren’t many defensive guards built like Alvin Robertson. At his best, Robertson could deliver 17.0 to 19.0 PPG per night while also recording 3.0 or more steals. He was a four-time All-Star, three-time steals champ, 1986 Defensive Player of the Year, and a six-time All-Defensive Team selection who would instantly make any team he was on a better defensive unit and contender because of it.

10. Philadelphia 76ers – David West

Having already struck big with the selection of Charles Barkley, the 76ers stay with the same theme and pick up David West at the 10th spot in this combined re-draft. With West, the Sixers are getting a solid defensive presence but an even more versatile offensive one. West could easily rely on his power game in the post with great strength and hands down low. He could also step out and knock down mid-range jumpers fairly easily, as well as find open and cutting teammates as a passer. West is a great complement to Barkley, and the two will work very well off each other in Philadelphia.

11. Atlanta Hawks – Kevin Willis

With the 11th pick in this combined re-draft, the Atlanta Hawks will take the familiar route and select Kevin Willis just as they did back in 1984. Even after suffering a knee injury early on in his career, Willis was a double-double machine who was a serious post presence on both sides of the ball. I would like to think Atlanta is getting the 1992 All-Star and All-NBA version of Willis, who averaged 18.3 PPG, 15.5 RPG, and 2.1 APG. Willis was the perfect fit for the Hawks then and he fits well once again in this re-draft of 1984 and 2003 draft classes.

12. Cleveland Cavaliers – Otis Thorpe

Another selection and another player from the 1984 NBA Draft goes off the board. Otis Thorpe is yet another bruising forward from these two draft classes that would be a perfect addition to any team fortunate enough to have him fall into their laps. Cleveland is getting a workhorse on both ends of the court who earned an All-Star selection in 1992 and won an NBA championship in 1994. At his peak, Thorpe was a 17.0 to 20.0 PPG player as well as a 10.0 RPG or better rebounder and a pesky interior defender who excelled at denying the entry pass. Thorpe is the easy selection at number 12 on this day and there is still plenty of talent to go through.

13. Phoenix Suns – Kirk Hinrich

The point guard depth clearly isn’t as loaded as other positions are in this re-draft, but it still holds its own. Kirk Hinrich was n slouch either as one of the better defensive point guards and the leader of the Baby Bulls during the 2000s. Hinrich is a former All-Defensive Team selection and a guard who averaged 15.0 to 16.0 PPG as well as 6.0 APG in the early days of his career. Hinrich is a leader and someone who can run any offense efficiently, especially in the right situation around him. Hinrich is a great choice at just past the halfway point of this first round, ushering in the next 11 players to be selected.

14. Los Angeles Clippers – Kyle Korver

With the 14th overall selection, the Los Angeles Clippers land one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history. Kyle Korver brings a sharp catch-and-shot ability to the Los Angeles Clippers with their selection. Korver hardly provided much of anything else, but his shooting was plenty enough. He was capable of going on scorching scoring runs from beyond the three-point line during his prime and beyond. The one-time All-Star led the NBA in three-point percentage four times during his career and was also one of the game’s most lethal free throw shooters as well.

15. Dallas Mavericks – Josh Howard

For the third time in this NBA re-draft, a player ends up getting drafted by the team that originally took them. This time, that player is Josh Howard, who spent seven seasons with the Mavericks during the 2000s. Howard was a great athlete who possessed so many of the s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s it takes to be successful in the NBA. He was extremely methodical and efficient off the ball as a scorer and provided a boost on the perimeter as a defender as well. The one-time All-Star was an 18.0 to 19.0 PPG scorer at his best who could also fight for rebounds and make clutch plays wherever he went.

16. Utah Jazz – Mo Williams

The Utah Jazz suffer an unfortunate fate as one of the few teams that suffer a massive downgrade this late in a combined re-draft. Instead of John Stockton, the Jazz land Mo Williams with their 16th pick, so no diamond in the rough this time around. Williams was a terrific three-point shooter for his career, going 37.8% from three over the course of 13 seasons. At his best, Williams was an All-Star averaging over 17.5 PPG and dishing out over 6.0 APG with the Cavaliers and Bucks. Williams displayed the ability on multiple occasions to be clutch and reliable in close and late-game situations.

17. New Jersey Nets – Chris Kaman

The New Jersey Nets get a massive upgrade at number 17 with the selection of Chris Kaman. Supremely mobile and s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed, Kaman battled and hustled on every play displaying heart and leadership in doing so. He was a good scorer and tough rebounder who could block shots at a surprising rate as well. Kaman was a one-time All-Star, and some teammates had no problem following into battle during his long NBA career.

18. Indiana Pacers – Sam Perkins

Originally a top-four pick, Sam Perkins fell all the way to number 18 in this combined re-draft. Perkins was a good stretch center during the 80s and 90s and his perimeter jumper was damn near unguardable and unheard of for his time period. Despite never being an All-Star, Perkins was a 15.0 to 16.0 PPG scorer for most of his career and grabbed over 7.0 RPG, and blocked more than one shot per game as well. Perkins is a steal at this spot and is sure to make Indiana a better team by falling down this far in the draft.

19. Portland Trail Blazers – Kendrick Perkins

After already landing LeBron James earlier in the first round, the Trail Blazers come back at number 19 to grab their center. In Kendrick Perkins, Portland is not getting an offensive juggernaut but someone everyone wants on their team at his best. Perkins was a tough and physical big who played a rugged form of defense that was tough to get around in the 2000s. He could hit his fair share of shots, but it was his abilities as a defender and rebounder that make him a steal this late in the draft.

20. Detroit Pistons – Vern Fleming

Vern Fleming falls just a few spots to number 20 from his original draft slot at number 18 to the Pacers. This time, Fleming lands in Detroit, where they will love the way he plays the game. Fleming is actually one of the 10 players from the 1984 draft who scored the most points during their NBA careers. At his best, Fleming was a 13.0 to 14.0 PPG scorer and exceptional playmaker who played tough perimeter defense and gave up no easy baskets, which is exactly how Detroit likes their point guards.

21. Milwaukee Bucks – Jerome Kersey

Jerome Kersey still goes well ahead of his original second-round selection back in 1984. During the late 80s and early 90s, Kersey was a big reason for Portland’s two trips to the NBA Finals as a 16.0 to 17.0 PPG scorer grabbing over 8.0 RPG. Kersey really stepped up in the playoffs both times, letting us know that no moment was too big for the 6’7’’ small forward. Kersey is still a first-round selection when draft classes become combined, which speaks volumes about his abilities on the court and the expectations he exceeded during his career.

22. Philadelphia 76ers – Leandro Barbosa

The Philadelphia 76ers get their third pick of this NBA re-draft and use it on NBA veteran Energizer Bunny Leandro Barbosa. Using his speed and stamina in the open court, Barbosa was a blur most nights to those who tried to keep track of him on the court. He was able to shoot over defenders with the great length he was gifted with, which also made him as annoying of a defender in the NBA as there was during the 2000. Although he was prone to injury and inconsistency, Barbosa is the perfect late-round pick.

23. Los Angeles Lakers – Zaza Pachulia

Although he gets remembered mostly for his seemingly innocent misstep against Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs, Zaza Pachulia is someone any team would love to have as a veteran presence. He played much bigger than he actually was and didn’t back down from any challenge that was thrown his way. He was also an underrated passer and post scorer to boot. You may have to watch his temper and physical style, but absolutely loved him if he was the guy who was fighting for your team on the court.

24. Boston Celtics – Nick Collison

With the final pick in the 1984 and 2003 NBA re-draft, the Boston Celtics select Nick Collison. As another player who played much bigger than he actually was, Collison was a savvy and smart veteran who was coveted by the organizations that employed him. He was efficient in the post and had soft hands around the basket. Collison would fit in perfectly with the gritty style of the Boston Celtics and is the perfect way to cap off this combined re-draft.