The Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks are reportedly discussing a trade for one of the Blazers’ three first round picks — could the Philadelphia 76ers leap into that discussion?
As the 2017 NBA Draft edges nearer, trade rumors are beginning to heat up. While lots of the focus has been directed towards the lottery’s upper echelon, the majority of mid-draft movement typically stems from the latter portions — especially when teams have multiple first round picks. The Blazers have three of them, boasting numbers 15, 20 and 26, likely leaving them with limited roster options should they hold onto all three.
Philadelphia 76ers
The New York Knicks, a team initiating some form of rebuild, are rumored to be involved in potential trade discussions.Currently holding the eighth spot in the lottery, New York is in the midst of a reform of sorts. With Phil Jackson making the end of the Carmelo Anthony era relatively clear, they’re likely refocusing their efforts on building around Kristaps Porzingis moving forward.
Bryan Colangelo, though, may not be idle in the midst of these rumblings. While there’s clearly no definitive reason to believe the Sixers are looking to move up, the possibility remains. With the team wielding a quartet of second rounders, they have the assets (not to mention Jahlil Okafor) needed to put together an appealing package.
As the team trends towards a competitive status long term, bringing in another young talent to help fill some of the current rotational voids while on an affordable rookie contract makes sense.
With the Blazers likely wanting to keep their highest pick, the Philadelphia 76ers would be aiming for either the 20 or 26 spot — a portion of the draft that may not yield elite talent, but is loaded with solid role players with strong floors. Colangelo has already stressed multiple team needs this offseason, with an additional stretch four and shooting coinciding with their need for backup on the perimeter.
The last third of the first round offers potential solutions to all three of those issues.
Upon looking at a brief outline of players who could be available, the appeal of moving back is relatively obvious. If defensive concerns drop Luke Kennard to the 20th spot, the Sixers could add an elite shooter with secondary playmaking chops and the polish needed to fit right into a role from day one. Other backup point guards, like Jawun Evans and Derrick White, will also be hovering around in that portion of the draft.
More Draft: Should the Sixers Trade Back in the First Round?
The potential frontcourt help comes in no shortage either. Despite a stark lack of elite bigs up front, this year’s class boasts myriad of late first, early second round talents at the four and five. D.J. Wilson is a high-upside stretch four with excellent offensive versatility and potential on the defensive end, while names like Bam Adebayo and Jordan Bell bring immediate defensive energy.
They could also swing for international players with upside, as 7-2 Frenchman Jonathan Jeanne or Barcelona swingman Rodions Kurucs are likely to be available in that general viscinity. If they wanted to gamble on a potential home run play, Harry Giles — should he still be available — is an ideal second pickup at that stage in the draft.
Next: Should the Sixers Pursue Jordan Clarkson?
This year’s class is one of the deeper in recent memory, and the Sixers are the beneficiaries of extensive flexibility. If they can pry their way into trade conversations, trading back isn’t off the proverbial table.