Depth Chart Analysis Defines Philadelphia 76ers 2017 NBA Draft Picks

By Bret Stuter | May 22, 2017

Mar 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (center) battles Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (left) and forward Richaun Holmes (22) for positioning on a free throw during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Clippers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

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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 /

Draft Board Ranking

At this stage, every team’s white board is set. That white board has the areas of the team at risk (whether by attrition or production) and the upgrades to that position via free agency or the NBA Draft.

With that in mind, let’s examine the Philadelphia 76er current roster as is. Primary vulnerabilities lie in the small forward and power forward roles. But examine more closely. You will see the Philadelphia 76ers also run shallow at center and shooting guard in 2018. So the time to address those positions are now.

Centered On Improving

In fact, if the team is truly of the opinion that center Jahlil Okafor is not a fit on this team, then the center position becomes a true need this season. And in the 2017 NBA Draft, no replacement is readily available.

So in the 2017 off-season, the team must either: reinforce via the NBA Draft (and with five picks, it’s possible to address all needs), plug gaps in the roster via free agency, or ride it out and try to resolve with new draft picks and new free agents in 2018.

But waiting means the team works current players harder.