The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Okay With Los Angeles 2018 Unprotected First Round Pick

By Bret Stuter

Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and forward Dario Saric (9) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and forward Dario Saric (9) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (L) practices with center Joel Embiid (R) before a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (L) practices with center Joel Embiid (R) before a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Playoffs Plus

The Philadelphia 76ers will make the playoffs in 2017-2018.  With the team getting off the schneid in the 2016-2017 season, the playoffs are a very realistic goal for next year.  But that will drive the team’s 2018 NBA Draft pick into the bottom half of the round, in a year where there will likely be incredible talent available once more.

With a 2018 Lakers first round pick, the team will continue a streak of top five talent infusion into the roster.  The team will likely continue the trend with the 2019 first round pick from the Sacramento Kings.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers pipeline will remain in place.  In the 2017 draft, the team will select a first and four seconds.  Two of the second round picks will likely land two-way contracts and play for the Delaware 87ers next year.

Pipeline Keeps Pumping

And the pipeline will continue. Each year, the team will likely send a pair of second round selections via the two-way contract.   The team will also continue to make full use of international options in terms of players and “draft and stash” options.

In the end, that is the next phase of the team’s improvement. The team must convert from landing the obviously most talented players, and convert into the team that finds raw talent and develops those players fully.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers Should Commit to T.J. McConnell Going Forward

The training wheels are coming off.  It’s part of the process. The pick from the Los Angeles Lakers will serve the overall goal of the Philadelphia 76ers as well in 2018 as 2017. In fact, based on perspective, that pick may serve the team far better in 2018.  That will give the team the chance to sort through Simmons Embiid and Bayless for a season before selecting.