Realizing that its VERY early in the evaluation process, and assumming that the Sixers end up with a Top 3 pick, which I think is quite realistic----which player or which direction would you go with their pick?
For me personally, I think if they have an opportunity to draft Ben Simmons, thats the way I would go. I think with his ball skills he can easily play the 3, which is a real need---but can also play the 4 if needed. If they are not in a position to draft Simmons, I think I would look to move down a few spots and draft either Jamal Murray or Kris Dunn, who I believe are the best available point guards, a spot they desperately need to fill for the long term. They should end up with 3 or 4 first round picks, maybe even more if they do drop down, and another kid I would target, perhaps with that second first round pick is PG/SG Malik Newman, a kid I saw as a frosh and really loved------I think he has the long-term potential to possibly be even better than Murray or Dunn.
I've only seen some clips of Murray and need to see a little more but based on what I've heard and read, I think he's the real deal with immense upside. I also think Dunn is terrific and plays hard and tough every minute he's on the court, and and I think staying for another year will be very beneficial in fine tuning his already strong skillset for the next level------and like Murray he also appears to be a Top 10 pick at this point.
With Noel and Okafor developing nicely so far at the 4 and 5, with Saric saying this week that he's definitely coming over to play for the Sixers next year, and with Embid possibly and "hopefully" playing next year, I think the front court is really in excellent shape for the future.
So with that said, point guard is really my first priority, but as I said it would be almost impossible for me to pass on a talent like Simmons, and if he's available, I think they take him. Simmons and Newman would sure look good to me and if that were to somehow happen, and I do think that's possible with the Lakers pick (top 3 protected) in their pocket, I think the Sixers rebuilding process becomes greatly accelerated and the foundation for future championship contention would be firmly in place, with or without Embid.
For me personally, I think if they have an opportunity to draft Ben Simmons, thats the way I would go. I think with his ball skills he can easily play the 3, which is a real need---but can also play the 4 if needed. If they are not in a position to draft Simmons, I think I would look to move down a few spots and draft either Jamal Murray or Kris Dunn, who I believe are the best available point guards, a spot they desperately need to fill for the long term. They should end up with 3 or 4 first round picks, maybe even more if they do drop down, and another kid I would target, perhaps with that second first round pick is PG/SG Malik Newman, a kid I saw as a frosh and really loved------I think he has the long-term potential to possibly be even better than Murray or Dunn.
I've only seen some clips of Murray and need to see a little more but based on what I've heard and read, I think he's the real deal with immense upside. I also think Dunn is terrific and plays hard and tough every minute he's on the court, and and I think staying for another year will be very beneficial in fine tuning his already strong skillset for the next level------and like Murray he also appears to be a Top 10 pick at this point.
With Noel and Okafor developing nicely so far at the 4 and 5, with Saric saying this week that he's definitely coming over to play for the Sixers next year, and with Embid possibly and "hopefully" playing next year, I think the front court is really in excellent shape for the future.
So with that said, point guard is really my first priority, but as I said it would be almost impossible for me to pass on a talent like Simmons, and if he's available, I think they take him. Simmons and Newman would sure look good to me and if that were to somehow happen, and I do think that's possible with the Lakers pick (top 3 protected) in their pocket, I think the Sixers rebuilding process becomes greatly accelerated and the foundation for future championship contention would be firmly in place, with or without Embid.
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