What the Sixers decide to do with the No. 3 overall pick could shape the entire draft, as I suggested in the team’s offseason preview. While it’s not a forgone conclusion that Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball go in the top-2, counting on any other outcome would be unwise.
Philadelphia has a tough decision to make with No. 3 and that leads us to tonight’s topic: Assuming Fultz and Ball are off the board, what should the Sixers do with their first round pick?
Malik Monk seems like a great fit because of his outside shooting, though it’s likely that he’ll be available in the latter half of the top-10, so trading down may be the best maneuver. If the team stays put, Josh Jackson could be the selection because of his tremendous upside or team president Bryan Colangelo could opt for the explosive skill-set of De’Aaron Fox.
Jayson Tatum is arguably the most pro-ready player in the draft and he could step in from day one alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons to form a special young nucleus. If the team intends on playing the 2016 No. 1 overall selection at the point guard spot, having a slasher with Tatum’s repertoire on the wing will only help his development.
Philly could go in multiple directions on draft night and we’re putting you on the clock in tonight’s community shootaround. Tell us what you would do with the No. 3 overall pick in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!
Draft Malik Monk. Makes too much sense. Trade down to 5 if necessary and pick up an asset. But Monk is the ideal Sixer. #3 for #5 and 10 from the kings.
Lou Williams is his upside. No defense no size no rebounding soso handle as a point and if he isn’t a scorer hes a bust.
Lou Williams is a nonsense comparison. Monk’s main strength is outside shooting. Lou is a pretty awful outside shooter. Monk is also much bigger than Lou. I’m not sure if he can defend. That remains to be seen. but he’s big enough to play against a lot of NBA 2s. Of course, if Simmons is really going to play PG on offense, that allows Monk to play PG on defense.
Try to trade down and get an asset or 2 out of it, and go for Monk or Isaac, or take the best player available. If Josh Jackson is still there, that’s probably him, despite the fit. Could even go Fox if he is there, acknowledging the similar fit issues. Can always figure the other stuff out later (ib4 people mention Noel, Okafor)
Jackson is as good a fit as Monk. The Sixers’ two biggest weaknesses are outside shooting and defense. Jackson fills one and may never do much else or may develop into an all-around player. Monk fills the other and may never do much else or may develop into an all-around player.
I would take Jackson Tatum or Isaac so trade down to 5 bc 2/3 have a chance of being there. So pick up the 10th. Either use it for Monk, Smith Jr or Ntilikina. Or trade that 10th and pick up a 2018 first preferrably unprotected.
2017 draft is great it’s got depth, but I want Michael Porter Jr.
I would try and get as many assets as possible to make that happen. Like if I had 3 picks next year and 2 of them are in the lottery you have a chance to move up to 1st overall.
If Sacramento will give up the 5 and 10 for the 3, the Sixers should do that in a second (unless maybe the Lakers don’t draft Ball). That seems like a lot for Sacto to give up to get Fox.
Since neither Jackson or Fox are ideal fits I’d try to trade down with Sac for the 5 & 10. (It’ll likely take more than just the 3rd pick). But I’d take Dennis Smith at 5 and John Collins at 10. Collins averaged nearly 20/10 as a sophomore and his PER was the highest in the country last year 36.3. Fultz was 28.3 and Lonzo was 25.0. Collins is a steal with no injury (Isaac) or arrest (Jackson) history.
‘We’ have Collins already, his name is Jahlil Okafor.
For every John Collins 36.3 PER there’s a John Brown 36.93 2015-16 from High Point. Don’t know why he didn’t go #1 overall.
Not on that list – Durant, Westbrook, Curry, CP3, Kawhi, PG13 and so on…
But sure we could use another immobile PF/C with no range. I hear this one guy call in to the radio about Collins every other day, and that idea’s shot down immediately.
Ha! As if High Point played in the ACC. Hilarious.
The Sixers need to find a way to trade for a star player. Trade whatever is needed to get McCollum or someone of that level to combine with Simmons and Embiid. Free agents like Heyward or Porter would find that to be a great team to join and contend for years.
I agree, as long as they are using their own picks (and not those they acquired via trades).
I’m kind of digging on Porter because he’s long, rebounds, shoots the three and doesn’t need to be a primary scorer.
The other FA I would target is Serge Ibaka. If the Sixers want to protect their franchise guy in Embiid, they need to put a solid PF next to him. Ibaka checks off all the boxes and is playoff tested.
Frankly speaking, I think Dario is best coming off the bench.
Ibaka was awful this year. He can no longer defend and his rebounding is falling off. Holmes is a very similar player (since Ibaka doesn’t leap like he used to) and probably just as good at this point.
Signing Porter just makes it difficult to make other moves for a week until Washington matches even a max offer. Heyward is probably not interested in the Sixers, but would be a decent fit (especially because I think he’d be better off as a second best player, and the Sixers’ future currently relies on Embiid).
I love the idea of McCollum (although I’d love Dame more), and Portland SHOULD trade him. But McCollum probably costs something like this year’s pick, either the Sixers’ or the Lakers’ 2018 pick, and Saric. I wouldn’t trade him to the Sixers for less than that if I were Portland.
Now, maybe that’s not a bad move for the Sixers. I’m not convinced Saric is much better than Holmes. It leaves them a little shallow up front, but it’s not like they’re pushing for a title next year. Or maybe they can sign Milsap or somebody like that if they make this kind of move. And maybe they take Crabbe’s salary off Portland’s hands, which is probably a good thing for Portland and the Sixers. But, in real life, none of this will ever happen.
Did you watch the playoffs this year? He was one of Toronto’s best players. Granted he did not fare well in Orlando…but it’s Orlando. No player has fared well down there for awhile now.
I can’t take you seriously if you believe Holmes and Ibaka are the same player. Just can’t do it.
I did watch the playoffs. It was the best Ibaka had played all year, and defensively he was still a shell of the player he used to be. This was established in the playoffs by both the eye test (he looked so-so defensively and bad at rebounding) and the stats (only 6.5 rebounds/game, 1.7 blocks/game–which is a lot for some guys, but not a lot for Ibaka and not great when that’s your only defensive skill, and especially not great when you’re not a good rebounder and it’s your only defensive skill).
You seem confused. I think you think I’m saying Holmes is the same player as Ibaka in his prime. That would make no sense. In his prime, Ibaka was a top level shot blocker, a decent rebounder and he had no offense. Richaun Holmes is a good 3pt shooter for a big, a mediocre rebounder and a somewhat helpful shot blocker who provides nothing else. That’s exactly what Ibaka is at this point in his career.
Although, I should grant you that it’s ridiculous to compare the two. In 1193 minutes in 2016-17, Holmes had a VORP of 1.1. In 2400 minutes, Ibaka had a VORP of 1.0 (and 0 in Toronto). So, if we’re being realistic here, Holmes was about twice as good as Ibaka on a per minute basis.
Then look at salaries. Ibaka is going to get paid a ton of money to basically be Richaun Holmes. Holmes is going to be paid 1.4 million to be himself.
Sixers AKA tankers in the lottery again!
You play in the very weak conference and all you have to show is draft picks! Why don’t you play in the D-league and maybe
You have a 500 record!!
Well in fairness the new FO is fielding a competitive team. And Hinkie actually left them a lot of chips. Can’t blame them for Simmons’s injury. If that hadn’t happened they could’ve fought for the 8 seed and added a PG at the deadline. Look for them to be a contender for the 7 or 8 seed after making a splash in FA.
The Sixers actually were really good during the 30 or so games that Embiid played even without Simmons.
Jayson Tatum
One can make an argument for Tatum, Jackson or Fox and not be crucified for the pick. Perhaps a trade back to 4 or 5 and collect an additional pick in the future (or the Kings #10 if they’re desperate to get Fox) would be the direction and take whomever is left of those three.
If no deal is available, I’d have to go Fox. More to the side of need than upside (Jackson) or readiness (Tatum).
Everyone in the top 3 must really wish Vlade was still in charge so they could get 5 and 10…
Plus WCS if you’re Boston
pick lonzo ball because the lakers will skip in him
Sounds as if the 76ers aren’t sure what to do with their pick. I don’t know how it is that hard. Target a guy and draft him. If you think it is too high then trade down. Or overdraft. Getting the guy you want doesn’t mean having to get him at a particular spot.
Seems more like they’re just not saying what they are going to do with the pick.