The Sixer Sense
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Depth Chart Analysis Defines Philadelphia 76ers 2017 NBA Draft Picks

By Bret Stuter

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
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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Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts as fans chant his name after a score against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts as fans chant his name after a score against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Center of Attention

Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers are center Joel Embiid’s team.  But he has played 31 games in three years, and right now his primary backup, center Jahlil Okafor, has struggled with a knee injury for over a year.  Even healthy, Okafor struggles to fit in Brett Brown’s fast paced scheme.

Joel Embiid is the perfect centerpiece to head coach Brett Brown’s scheme. He is outstanding on both offense and defense, assumes the responsibilities of the team’s performance, learns from bad games, and has fun the entire time.

Trade Okafor, Fill Void

But if the team successfully trades Jahlil Okafor, the team is running through Joel Embiid and Richaun Holmes.  While I think Holmes is an outstanding player, the season is 82 games and Embiid needs to play 70 plus games before the “fragility” label is stripped from him.

The Philadelphia 76ers had the chance to retain a good fit at center in Nerlens Noel, but thought otherwise.  While this team is not desperate for center help, the NBA supply of great centers at reasonable cost is non-existent.

So the team must consider a center in the 2017 NBA Draft, perhaps with a second round pick. While there are few choices to choose from, that shortage will magnify as team overreach for the front court help when it’s not there in this draft.

So the Philadelphia 76ers must address the center position in round two of the 2017 NBA Draft.

Summary and Shopping List

In the end, the Philadelphia 76ers must address the roster at center, power forward, shooting guard, and small forward. So why does everybody mock a point guard to the team?  Use the 2017 NBA Draft to reinforce the small forward position. Then go to the center position in round two, as either a draft and stash or two-way contract. The team must also address the power forward role.  The team has several options for that position.

Finally, the team can fill vacancies at shooting guard just by dialing their European players and signing them to a contract.

Next: Should Chicago Boston Philadelphia 76ers Try 3 Team NBA Trade

After all this, the team can rest. Use the remainder of the 2017 NBA picks to stockpile for the future.  It’s never to early to start planning, you know. But there is always the risk of planning too late.