The 76ers, according to multiple reports, are strongly leaning toward using the No. 1 pick in this year’s on Ben Simmons. However, that doesn’t mean the club isn’t doing its due diligence on other options. According to Shams Charania of The Vertical (via Twitter), former Duke forward Brandon Ingram is scheduled to meet with and work out for the Sixers on Monday. Barring a significant turn of events, Philadelphia probably isn’t using its first overall pick on Ingram, but with the club rumored to be exploring trade possibilities that could involve another lottery pick, it makes sense for the team to do its homework.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic division:
- The Sixers also have a pair of first-round picks in the mid-20s, and Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer wonders if the team could be eyeing former FSU guard Malik Beasley with one of those selections. According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (Twitter links), Beasley, who is recovering from stress fracture surgery, has been cleared to play but is believed to have shut down workouts due to a promise. Kennedy hints that such a promise may have come from a team in the middle of the first round.
- Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek was asked about Arron Afflalo‘s player option decision during an appearance on WFAN, and while Hornacek said the team hasn’t been informed yet of Afflalo’s decision, he expects the veteran guard to opt out “to see what’s out there” (link via Ian Begley of ESPN.com).
- Asked during the same interview about the chances of the Knicks signing a max player in free agency, Hornacek said that’s “absolutely” in play (Twitter link via Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv).
- Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri is in the midst of a European scouting trip, making stops in Serbia, Istanbul, and Italy to check out draft prospects, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. Raptors scouting director Dan Tolzman tells Smith that the trip will also provide the team with an opportunity to start thinking big picture about how the 2017 draft will compare to 2016, and which year’s picks will be more valuable. Toronto has two first-rounders this year, and could have two more in ’17.
If the Bulls and the Celtics both want Jahlil Okafor, then the one who gets the #2 pick from the Lakers gets to trade that to the Sixers for Okafor. The Celtics have #3 and a boatload of picks and players to move up one spot. The Bulls have Jimmy Butler, and can probably get #2 and Jordan Clarkson from the Lakers, maybe even D’Angelo Russell and #2, depending on how LA really feels about Russell after the video incident.
I think these teams in on Okafor should think about giving up less and getting Greg Monroe. Great locker room guy, efficient and consistent on offense, good passer, good rebounder, below average on D but competent and only 26 years old. Okafor would seem to have more upside but already has some injury stuff and off court issues.
Neither of those two teams are going to trade valuable assets for the #2 to then trade that for Okafor. For the Celtics, it makes more sense for them to package a deal around the #3 than move up ONE SPOT just to trade it for Okafor. For the Bulls, they aren’t trading Butler away with the intention of getting Okafor if the #2 pick is the middle-man. Plus, Ingram might be just as valuable as Okafor at this point.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the 6ers move up into the teens to get 1 of Beasley or Valentine.if we could get 1 @24,that would be great.
I know Philly needs shooters, but wouldn’t Beasley duplicate Stauskas? Beasley offers athleticism, so I see that part of things, but I think Richardson would be a better option as he is a better all around scorer.