The Sixer Sense
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Draft And Stash – Optimizing 2016 NBA Draft Picks 24 and 26

By Bret Stuter

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

Summary

In many cases, young men get one chance at the NBA. If you show up prematurely, fans and even some executives judge your entire career upon the standard a player creates for themselves.  If a 19 year old struggles defensively, that theme will haunt them even in their late 20s and even after they’ve master the defensive side of the ball.

For those NBA players who have incredible talent, but is either too raw or too skewed to impact the NBA as a well rounded player, the notion of playing internationally can only help their overall NBA careers.

For the Philadelphia 76ers, whose roster is already bursting at the seams with young players, there is simply no more capacity to take on a player/project.  The only solution is to weigh the option of an international assignment for their players heavily.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers: Eric Gordon Is A Possible One Year Rental

Basketball is basketball, and the popularity of the sport has created competition around the world.  While the NBA is the best there is, it’s not all there is.  Players who need more time can take advantage of that.

Eventually, the goal is to load the Philadelphia 76ers roster with the best talent possible.  We needn’t limit the options for how that talent arrives.