Courtesy: ESPN
After the ping pong balls have finally fallen the right way for the Philadelphia 76ers, a lot of questions arise for their next move. Holding the top overall pick creates options for a team sorely in need of playmakers and an identity. “Trusting the process” has brought them to the point of acquiring young assets such as Nerlens Noel, Dario Saric, Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor. But all are front court players, leaving them thin on the wing and point guard. Finding the right fits to build their roster will be vital to returning to contention for the first time since Allen Iverson carried the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001.
THE FIRST PICK…
Courtesy: ESPN
There are really only two options at the top of the board for the Philadelphia 76ers to chose from: LSU Small Forward Ben Simmons or Duke Wing Brandon Ingram. Though Simmons has been labeled the best player in the draft since before he ever stepped onto a college campus, he does have some serious question marks.
Simmons is a jack of all trades that is excellent with the ball in his hands. Though his shot needs A LOT of work and may be best suited to play a role similar to Draymond Green with the Golden State Warriors. The problem is that the Philadelphia 76ers already have some much young low post talent that it will be tough to find playing time for all of them. Simmons also had some maturity issues while at LSU and they lack the locker room leadership to guide him. On the high end, he could be an elite level player that is a mix of Cleveland Cavaliers Small Forward LeBron James and Green, but without a true jumpshot or position, he could end up like former draft bust Michael Beasley.
The other option would be to take Ingram, who fills a needs as a shooter on the outside. He has great length and a smooth stroke that can really spread a defense in the more uptempo NBA. Ingram’s biggest flaw is his readiness to make the jump to playing against the more physical players in the NBA. He will likely need time to add strength, along with consistency to handle the rigors of the NBA. For a team desperate to start paying off on “trusting the process,” it will be interesting to see if they have the patience to develop Ingram into a superstar. His comparisons to Oklahoma City Thunder Small Forward Kevin Durant are justified, but that is lofty expectations to live up to for such a young player.
TRADE OPTIONS…
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It is extremely unlikely that the Philadelphia 76ers have waited this long to get the first pick in the draft just to trade it away. But they have plenty of other options with the bevy of low post players and extra draft picks (24th and 26th pick this year and the Los Angeles Lakers top 3 protected pick in 2017), they certainly can make a move to improve their team immediately.
The Los Angeles Lakers are sitting with the second overall pick and may be looking to make a move for some NBA ready talent. Though it may be unlikely they unload the opportunity to draft Simmons or Ingram, they could be coaxed with the idea of adding a dominant big like Okafor to their front court. In that case, the Philadelphia 76ers would need to sweeten the deal by adding in an extra pick or two from later in the draft.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Lakers had issues within the locker room with last year’s third overall pick Guard D’Angelo Russell. A swap of Okafor for Russell could be a strong possibility if they deem their embattled rookie caused too much of a riff with his teammates. That would give the Philadelphia 76ers their sorely needed point guard, while Los Angeles Lakers still add either Simmons or Ingram as their starting Small Forward.
Other teams farther down in the draft could also be looking at Okafor as a missing piece to build towards the future. The Boston Celtics hold the third pick and have been rumored for every front court player on the market the past two years. Would adding a dominant low-post scorer be worth forfeiting the third overall pick? With the amount of depth on the roster, and the amount of draft pick assets over the next couple years, it could push them over the top of the weaker Eastern Conference.
The Denver Nuggetts (7th pick), Sacramento Kings (8th pick; and especially if they trade DeMarcus Cousins) or Orlando Magic (11th pick) could also attempt to add Okafor or Noel for the right price as well. This would all be contingent on the Philadelphia 76ers have the right player fall to one of those picks, such as Providence Guard Kris Dunn. Each of those teams would also need to add some additional players and/or picks to make it work for both sides.
PREDICTIONS…
Courtesy: CBS Sports
The Philadelphia 76ers have a chance at a LeBron James type player and simply do not pass up the opportunity to take Simmons. His ball-handling and court vision would make him an ideal Point Forward that can distribute to their talented front court. He would instantly become the face of the franchise and be the tone setter on offense.
And with the logjam up front, they move Okafor to the Boston Celtics, who see an opportunity to add a true center to their young core for the third overall pick. Boston then would use their extra picks and deep roster to trade for a superstar like Indiana Pacers Paul George to fill out their starting lineup. While the 76ers are left deciding between Dunn and Kentucky Guard Jamal Murray to take over at Guard. Each can play with the ball out of their hands and create their own shots, making a strong young combo with Simmons. In the end, they select Dunn, who is the more polished player and arguably the most NBA-ready of any of the prospects.
That move also allows them to continue to develop Noel as their rim protector and Saric as the stretch four they desperately need. While Embiid is slowly brought along off the bench, in hopes he can live up to his potential as the future franchise Center.
The Philadelphia 76ers then use their other two first round picks on a developmental Shooting Guard and added depth down low. Adding Washington Guard Dejounte Murray provides a high upside combo Guard to fill in the future next to Dunn. While Providence Forward Ben Bentil would be ideal coming off the bench to provide a physical presence on both sides of the ball. He also played with Dunn in college and is an adequate shooter from the outside.
Even with all those additions, the Philadelphia 76ers still have the chance at another two lottery picks next season as well; their own and the Los Angeles Lakers Top 3 protected pick. Though it is unclear how things are going to shake out, it is finally easy to see they are moving in the right direction. It may have been a miserable few seasons for the fans, but in all “trust the process.”
PROJECTED ROSTER…
Starters
PG: Kris Dunn *
SG: Nick Stauskas
SF: Ben Simmons*
PF: Dario Saric*
C: Nerlens Noel
Bench
G: Ish Smith
G: Isaiah Cannon
G: DeJounte Murray*
SF: Jerami Grant
SF: Robert Covington
F: Ben Bentil*
PF: Carl Landry
C: Joel Embiid
* Indicates Rookie
