The 2017 NBA Draft will determine the direction of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise for years to come as the team attempts to build around Joel Embiid.
For the last several drafts, Philadelphia 76ers fans have hoped that the ping-pong balls would fall the team’s way and get the Sixers the top overall draft pick.
The Sixers have had some good luck in the lottery, winning it last year and selecting Ben Simmons with the first overall pick. But they have also had some bad luck, like falling to the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and selecting Jahlil Okafor.
This year’s lottery is the biggest of them all, and the Sixers have plenty of chances to get high picks (they currently have the fourth best odds at winning the lottery).
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Guard Draft
Now that the Sixers roster is beginning to take shape, there are some weaknesses that need to be addressed. For example, the guard play this year has not been what is required to have success in today’s NBA.
Most of the best teams in the league have superstar guards. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in Golden State, Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, Isaiah Thomas in Boston, etc.
As all of us know, the Sixers do not have that dominant guard who can carry the team to a win.
T.J. McConnell, Gerald Henderson and Nik Stauskas are nice players would can certainly contribute and be effective off the bench on a good team, however, the Sixers need an upgrade at the position and the way to get those type of guards is staring them right in the face.
Enter the 2017 NBA Draft, with guards including Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Dennis Smith Jr. among others. If the Sixers are able to draft one of these top-flight guards, it would greatly increase the chances of the Sixers going to the playoffs next season.
This draft class is exactly what the Sixers should desire. After years of drafting front court players, the time is now to address the backcourt.
Related Story: Draft Big Board
Build around Embiid
After watching Joel Embiid step of the court this year and play 31 games, it’s safe to say that despite injury questions, the team should start building the team around him.
The Sixers already started that approach when they selected Ben Simmons in last year’s draft.
Embiid is a rare generational talent that can’t go to waste. One superstar player does not guarantee success. (Look at the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder)
Surround him with players who can get him the ball down low when he was a mismatch. Get him a guard who can draw attention away from him and get him some knock down shooters for when he is double-teamed in the paint.
Follow the blue print of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have surrounded LeBron James with shooters all over the place.
If the Sixers are able to upgrade their guards in the draft and the rest of the league better take notice. The Sixers are close to taking a big step forward in the Eastern Conference, and not many teams will have enough firepower to stop it.