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D’Angelo Russell Trending Toward Sixers in Mock Drafts

By Patrick Koerbler

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Mock Draft Tracker & the Potential of a Wild Draft

A whole bunch of mock drafts were updated yesterday. After a couple days of buzz surrounding Kristaps Porzingis and the Philadelphia 76ers, the tide seems to be turning in mock draft land back over to the former frontrunner D’Angelo Russell.

DraftExpress, Jonathan Givony

"While we were the first to move Porzingis to this spot even prior to his impressive coming out party workout in Las Vegas, many NBA teams feel that Philadelphia’s interest in the Latvian may be overstated, a ploy to get other teams to try and move up via trade. Philadelphia is reportedly not Porzinigis’ first choice according to what we’re told, as he’d rather end up in LA or Orlando if it were up to him. . . D’Angelo Russell says he would be thrilled to play in Philadelphia after having an excellent workout there this week, and remains a very logical candidate for the Sixers positionally and talent-wise."

SBNation, Kevin O’Connor

"Russell will give the 76ers the type of point guard they need, and his weaknesses on defense will be mitigated since so many athletic players surround him."

USA Today, Derek Bodner

"The Sixers are rumored to be high on Kristaps Porzingis, and the Latvian big man is a real possibility for them with this pick. Russell has similar potential, is a little bit safer of a pick and fits more of a need for Philadelphia, however."

Bleacher Report, Jonathan Wasserman

"There has been buzz suggesting the Philadelphia 76ers could be interested in Latvia’s Kristaps Porzingis at No. 3, per ESPN.com’s Chad Ford, but we’re going to chalk it up as traditional late-June smoke and noise. . . It’s just too difficult to buy into the idea general manager Sam Hinkie would pass on D’Angelo Russell, who offers similar All-Star upside, less perceived risk and much-needed balance to a lineup without a lead guard."

As someone who is apart of the D’Angelo Russell bandwagon, this is obviously a good sight to see. But things are far from a lock, as this is shaping up to be one of the more wild drafts in recent memory. The only team that looks locked into their pick is the Minnesota Timberwolves and really even that could be questioned. After that? Things get messy. The Lakers and Knicks could both trade their picks. The Kings and Nuggets could be apart of those trades. Teams like the Pistons and Hornets are in win-now mode, and their respective picks could be had for veteran type players.

Where do the 76ers fall in all of this? Well, besides for still not being locked into any one player, they could definitely find themselves as the third or even fourth team in a trade. If the Lakers are able to pry DeMarcus Cousins away from the Kings, they’ll almost assuredly need other teams involved because No. 2, No. 27, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson isn’t going to be enough.

The Sixers being viable trade partners isn’t anything groundbreaking, but it’s a friendly reminder that things could get really weird. Be prepared, fellow Hinkie-lytes.

Follow Patrick on twitter (@GoodDudePat) for Sixers nonsense leading up to the draft.

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