Sixers Lottery: Dante Exum?

With the Sixers owning possibly two lottery picks in the 2014 NBA Draft, it’s important to keep track of some of the top prospects in the 2014 draft. Right now, tankathon.com has the Sixers at fourth in the lottery, with a 13.7 percent chance to get the No. 1 overall pick. With that being said, I want to focus on someone who is a top five pick, but still very unknown. This is the Australian sensation, Dante Exum.

The DraftExpress.com 2014 NBA Mock Draft has Exum going #5 currently. Exum is a combo guard, but will most likely be playing point guard. I understand the Sixers have Michael Carter-Williams, but if the Sixers have a lottery pick and Wiggins, Parker and Randle are gone, then Exum is the obvious choice. He’s the obvious choice because he’s going to be an amazing player, the type you can’t pass up on — no matter who is on your roster.

In nine games at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Games, Exum posted stats of 18.2 PPG, 3.8 APG, and 1.7 SPG. Exum comes in at 6-5, 188 lbs. With his height, Exum has distinct ability as a point guard to be able to see over players and see things on the court that other people can’t see.

One way to describe Exum is a match-up nightmare. With his extreme athleticism, size and length (6-9 wingspan), he creates a mismatch for virtually any guard trying to cover him. Exum also has excellent skills in the post which will create havoc for any player having to guard him.

Another thing I realized while watching film on Exum was an increased ability to finish at the rim. Being 6-6, it gives him the ability to go to the rack and finish over some of the taller players.

Exum rebounds like a center, handles like a point guard, a first-step similar to Russell Westbrook and a shooting stroke that rivals Kevin Durant. Can you see why people are labeling this kid a star?

Now, there has been discussion of Exum going to college and every big name college out there is scouting him. However, the general notion is that Exum will be putting his name in the 2014 NBA Draft. If Exum attended college, he wouldn’t be eligible for the NBA until the 2015 draft.

The only brush on Exum is his weight, but this isn’t too much of a concern. Exum is only 18 years old and barely touches the scale soaking wet. At 188 lbs he will need to put on some muscle, but once again, the kid is 18. In three years he will only be 21 and will already have a few years of NBA experience under his belt, along with some muscle. Exum is a unique ability of elite size and athleticism, that will only improve as he grows older.

Dante Exum is an unknown name, but he remains one of the top five picks in the 2014 draft. If you search his name on YouTube, you will find out why Exum is one of the top prospects.

Is he a fit with the Sixers?

If Exum is still there by the time the Sixers pick (as long as Embiid, Parker, Wiggins, Randle aren’t), then the Sixers have to take Exum. Talent like his doesn’t come along often and he can be shifted over to the two guard. As of right now, the Sixers don’t have a legitimate starting two guard.

Just imagine a starting back court of Michael Carter-Williams and Dante Exum…MAN. All I want for Christmas is the 2014 NBA Draft to get here already! How about you guys?

Is Dante Exum A Fit With The Sixers?

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