Philadelphia 76ers Feeling A Sixer Draft

Fill ‘Er Up! Bear, Blue Devil, or Badger

When we looked at the Philadelphia 76ers on September 1st, we had the occasion to highlight who will carry forward from this year to next.  We named centers Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid, power forward/center Nerlens Noel, power forward Dario Saric, and shooting guard Nik Stauskas.  These are five players who were drafted in the first round.

The Sixers have a roster of highly competitive talent, but if you focus on team needs, you will see the team already has a strong compliment of former first round draft picks.  We need to assume that these players will excel enough during the season, and will be available to the team in the 2016 season.  So where will the Sixers go next?

Well ready or not, the team will be shopping in 2016.  The positions?  Most likely point guard and small forward.  So which names crest in the search?

Jaylen Brown

Under small forwards, the name  Jaylen Brown should be part of the discussion.  He’s a 6’7″ 225 small forward out of the University of California and was a five star rated prospect.  He has a unique combination of basketball savvy and physicality, and has a strong work ethic.  Currently considered to hold a huge upside, he will go early in the draft.   The Sixers would greatly benefit if he were available to them.

Brandon Ingram

Another candidate who could join the Sixers is small forward Brandon Ingram, a 6’8″ 198 pound small forward for Duke University’s Blue Devils. He would join alma mater teammate Jahlil Okafor and bring his excellent shooting game to the court. Blessed with deceptive speed, this young man would be a nice compliment to the post game that will be part of the Sixers scheme this season.

Nigel Hayes

The third candidate who might be considered with one of the Sixer’s picks is University of Wisconsin Badger Nigel Hayes. He’s a 6’8″ 235 pound small forward, who is likely the most powerful of the three. He is expected to bring his offensive game up a notch this season, and with that his value to the NBA in the upcoming draft.

There are likely more candidates who will emerge, but you can assess these three in contrast to the Sixers current roster of Jerami Grant and JaKarr Sampson . Even if selected, the player will likely be given a role to learn behind one of our current players, eventually earning more floor time as they prove themselves to the coaches and their teammates.

Next: Right Direction