Can anyone believe that the NBA Draft Lottery is on May 19, about eight days away? Like the first two installments, I’m heading over to tankathon.com and using their lottery simulator to see where the Sixers could land on that fateful night of May 19. I graduate from my university the following day, so I expect those next two days to be… EPIC. I used Tankathon’s NBA Draft Mock Lottery portion, because it gives a more realistic view of who will be available when the Sixers draft.
Before we start, check out Part I and Part II of the series.
Okay, lets go.
Before the First Spin
Obviously, the Sixers have one lottery pick in this scenario, being the No. 3 pick. If things remain the same, the Sixers would be in a position to take either of the elite point guards or my man crush Mario Hezonja. Let’s spin
The First Spin
Orlando hopped infront of the Sixers, causing the Sixers and Lakers to drop a spot. Unfortunately, the Lakers land at fifth and not sixth, because them landing sixth would give the Sixers their pick. If this scenario happens and the Magic take Justise Winslow, it’s not that big of a deal because Emmanuel Mudiay, D’Angelo Russell and Mario Hezonja are still on the board. However, this would be a little upsetting on lottery night. But, this isn’t the end of the world. I don’t like Minny getting Karl-Anthony Towns, because he’s ours.
The Second Spin
Not much changes here except the Knicks and Wolves switching spots. The Sixers are still third and would have plenty of options to choose from besides the top two big men in the draft. Not bad.
The Third Spin
If the Sixers land the No. 2 overall pick, it gets interesting. Do they (1) pick Jahlil Okafor and hold him at ransom and trade back to third or fourth, or (2) pick the guy they probably want more in Mudiay or Russell?
It’s an interesting scenario. I can see Sam Hinkie taking Okafor and holding him ransom to the Knicks or Lakers. The Knicks, falling to No. 4, would be willing to pay that pick and a lot more to get their hands on Okafor, I’m sure.
The Fourth Spin
Look at that jump for Detroit, up seven spots. Good for the Sixers is that it moved the T-Wolves back and not Philly. The Sixers are still picking No. 3 and would have a lot of options on the board.
The Fifth Spin
Hello Dominoes, can I order your worst case scenario pizza? Oh, look, it’s arrived! Yeah this would be it. Having the Lakers and Kings jump the Sixers while being behind the Knicks and picking No. 5 would be a bad situation. It would put the Sixers in a place to take Justise Winslow or Mario Hezonja, which I wouldn’t be mad at. But, we all want a top-three pick. And the Lakers getting Jahlil Okafor just isn’t fair.
The Results
Some things that happened during these five spins:
- The Sixers never received the No. 1 overall pick
- The Sixers moved down from No. 3 twice
- They only moved up from No. 3 once to No. 2
- The Sixers didn’t receive the Lakers or Heat pick in any of the spins
Overall, not bad. A top-three pick is perfect, top-four is pretty damn good. I’d implore you to procrastinate your day and go on Tankathon.com and waste time trying to get the No. 1 pick for the Sixers. Remember, the NBA Draft Lottery is EIGHT DAYS AWAY. Get hype.
Next: Debating Emmanuel Mudiay vs. D’Angelo Russell for the Philadelphia 76ers Draft