Spread The Wealth
Well, that falls back to quality. Not just talented players, but the ability to develop those players fully. We know already that the 2017-2018 NBA season will be dedicated to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. That’s a given. Now the team may have room for a top 2017 NBA Draft pick. But beyond that? Developing may suffer.
A Royal Pain
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was shuttled to the Delaware 87ers to get quality time early in the season. And he was the only player from that 2016 NBA Draft healthy enough to make the roster this season.
While the team is busy merging the likes of Embiid and Simmons into the same lineup, you would be wise to expect 2017-2018 rookies may not get the full focus from head coach Brett Brown.
Deferred Compensation
Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers have a 44.2 percent chance of picking in the 2017 NBA Draft, at a position no better than fourth. In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers will have a 100 percent chance of picking twice in the first round of the NBA Draft.
In the meantime, the Philadelphia 76ers currently (as of March 13) have better than a 50 percent chance of selecting in the top three of the 2017 NBA Draft. For all intents and purposes, the 76ers will likely be selecting no worse than sixth.
The value of the Lakers pick in the 2017 NBA Draft is unmistakable. Two top ten picks to any team in a robust NBA draft is very good. But with the team already scoring a top pick in the draft, and enough firepower and flexibility to manage various options out of round two, including trading back for a lottery pick, it may be wiser to spread the wealth.