Which 2016 NBA Draft Picks Will Philadelphia 76ers Receive On Draft Day?

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Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jerry Colangelo (R) is introduced as special advisor to the Philadelphia 76ers during a press conference with owner Joshua Harris (M) and general manager Sam Hinkie (L) before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 is lining up to be a significant off-season for the Philadelphia 76ers. But with a unique blending of Sam Hinkie and Jerry Colangelo, will it be a year of a mega-deal, standing firm on their picks, or exercising more patience by trading some assets for future picks to develop a better understanding of what they have already?

As the year 2016 crawls along, we cannot help but look up from the daily news of another injury or loss to see the light on the horizon – The 2016 NBA draft. While the Sixers are young and improving, and already have two players with incredible upsides joining the team in the form of Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, the true name in the marquis lights is the 2016 NBA draft and what it could mean to the Philadelphia 76ers team, fans, and future.

You see the NBA draft has had four picks in the first round go to one team just twice in its history: the 2009 Minnesota Timberwolves and the Sacramento Kings in the 1990 NBA draft. But in neither case did the benefitting team set the world afire. The Kings were 25-57 in 1990. They improved to 29-53 in 1991, 25-57 in 1992, 28-54 in 1993, 39-43 in both 1994 and 1995. In short, the Kings did not see much benefit from four picks. Similarly, the Minnesota Timberwolves were 15-67 in 2009, 17-65 in 2010, 26-40 in 2011, 31-51 in 2012, and 40-42 in 2013. In both cases, four first round draft picks for the team did not push the team above .500 for five years.

The 2009 Timberwolves selected PG Ricky Rubio at 7, PG Johnny Flynn at 8, PG Ty Lawson (traded for a future pick which became Luke Babbitt) at 18, and SG Wayne Ellington at 28.

The 1990 Sacramento Kings selected SF Lionel Simmons at 7, PG Travis Mays at 14, C Duane Causwell at 18, and SF Anthony Bonner at 23.

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In contrast, the Philadelphia 76ers have a top five pick. The Los Angeles Lakers first round pick (top three protected) is 44.2% likely to be claimed by the Sixers this season at either four or five. They also can lay claim to the first round pick of the Miami Heat (currently 22) and the first round pick of the Oklahoma City Thunder (currently 27). The team also reserves the right to swap their draft pick with that of the Sacramento Kings if the Kings draw a better spot in the lottery. And as a fail safe, the Sixers can swap either the Heat or the Thunder pick with that of the Golden State Warriors if the Warrior pick is better.

So four picks, with three all but locked in. That’s a good setup, but one that is not guaranteed. When the Philadelphia 76ers traded two second round draft picks, they traded their 2016 (a pick from the Denver Nuggets) and 2017 picks. Does that play a factor in the team’s strategy?

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