Philadelphia 76ers: 5 Possibilities With the Top Overall Pick

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks 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; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scenario 4: Take Brandon Ingram

March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) reacts during the 82-68 loss against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) reacts during the 82-68 loss against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Ingram is a solid forward coming out of Duke University, the same place that Jahlil Okafor will be spending to take summer classes and train with old coaches. Ingram, during his time at Duke, established himself as a good player despite not being one of the top high-school prospects just a year before.

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In just one year’s time, Ingram moved his way up to the top-two projected overall picks. His improvement over the year in the court of public opinion should be looked at as a plus — he’s constantly improving himself. The way I see it, he may not appear to have as high of a ceiling as Ben Simmons right now, but he could surprise us and out-do Simmons by the time their careers are over.

Ingram, in his sole season with Duke, averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. His best attribute quite possibly is his 3-point shooting, as he sank 41 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

In the ACC, Ingram was sixth overall in points produced.

Another big positive to Ingram is that he is a great defensive player. Ingram has massive length and averaged 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game in his freshman year. His ability to be a nuisance to opponents as a defender is a good thing, and the Sixers could use that in tandem with Nerlens Noel’s already established defensive manner.

Overall, Ingram is still looked at as the second best, but some, including myself, believe he has the most immediate impact as well as the highest ceiling of any player in this draft.

The likelihood of this scenario occurring is better than the three previously mentioned scenarios, but probably still just about a 20 or 30 percent chance of this actually playing out.

Next: Take Ben Simmons