The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Sixer Sense Mock 2016 NBA Draft Board

By Bret Stuter

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie (L) listens as owner Joshua Harris (M) introduces Jerry Colangelo (R) as special advisor before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie (L) listens as owner Joshua Harris (M) introduces Jerry Colangelo (R) as special advisor before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Post Draft Grade

The Philadelphia 76ers enter the draft with back court needs as well as upgrading their long range shooting. By bringing in Ben Simmons, a player whose versatility will bless them for many years to come, the team can plug him into virtually any position on the court. However, the upside of positioning such a strong passer, selfless player, and high basketball IQ at the point guard position will be just too tempting for the team to resist. With point guard addressed, the team can then turn toward the other guard position with either Jammal Murray or Furkan Korkmaz. While the defense of Murray will likely get him more minutes, unless he develops a two way skill quickly, the team will begin to erode his court time to give Korkmaz some looks.

Initially, the role of Korkamz will likely emulate that of Isaiah Canaan, a sixth/seventh man role coming off the bench to spark the offense, particularly later in the game as the team seeks to improve frustrating late rallies by their opponents. In such occasions, flooding the floor with both Murray and Korkmaz will give the Sixers tremendous shooting from the perimeter, and coupled with a rim protector like Nerlens Noel pair up with Joel Embiid low, while either Simmons or T.J.McConnell set up the plays, could be quite a challenging lineup for any NBA team to handle.

While the team sorts through ranking Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and Joel Embiid in a center and power forward rotation, it’s unclear if the team will retain both Richaun Holmes and Carl Landry. Newcomer Dario Saric will most like by sent to the small forward position, which gives the team some vulnerability to a pure power forward. Sabonis can fill those minutes, while being groomed for an ever increasing workload or even for a possible trade if he becomes a valued player in a crowded front court.

Next: The Door Is Wide Opent For Nerlens Noel

In any case, even without the arrival of any free agents, the team will be well positioned to approach, if not outright threaten, a playoff appearance next season.  And with the team netting so many top NCAA prospects in one season, they will have every right to expect a sharp turn upward in their fortunes next season.  With the team ending with so many prominent draft prospects, plus the scheduled arrival of Dario Saric as well as a new-to-a-healthy-lineup Joel Embiid, the entire roster will have a new look, new feel, new outlook, and brand new positive energy.
Mock Draft grade: A