Tracking the Sixers in Mock Drafts — A Whole Lot of Josh Jackson
The Philadelphia 76ers‘ selection at three could determine the flow of this year’s NBA Draft. Here’s who the experts currently have them picking.
While there are some rumblings about trading back, the Philadelphia 76ers — for the time being — are locked into the third overall pick. With Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball still heavy favorites with the first two selections, the Sixers could be the team that determines how the remainder of the lottery flows. As it currently stands, they have several options that they’re reportedly considering, yet their preferences as a team haven’t been made clear.
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And that, in a sense, makes projecting their pick the most difficult task in this year’s lottery. While there are some clear favorites for each team, including the Sixers, there’s a far more established consensus for potential draftees later in the procedure. Philadelphia has the chance to set the framework for the teams behind them, and will do so in the form of settling that oft-referenced draft debate between fit and best player available.
Perhaps the best view into where the Sixers’ mindset may stand is through the experts. As the draft edges closer, mock drafts are populating the internet in rapid succession. Insiders like ESPN’s Chad Ford can base their predictions off of team workouts and front office discussions, while CBS’ Gary Parrish has spent years around college basketball as a television analyst and reporter.
They have a solid basis for their projections. Here’s who current mock drafts project to Philadelphia:
- Chad Ford, ESPN — Josh Jackson, F, Kansas
- Andy Bailey, Bleacher Report — Josh Jackson, F, Kansas
- Chris Stone, FanSided — Dennis Smith Jr., G, N.C. State
- Daniel O’Brien, FanRag Sports — Jayson Tatum, F, Duke
- Gary Parrish, CBS Sports — Josh Jackson, F, Kansas
- Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer — Josh Jackson, F, Kansas
- Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation — Malik Monk, G, Kentucky
- Jonathan Givony & Co., DraftExpress — Josh Jackson, F, Kansas
Although there are a few other names sporadically thrown into the conversation, Josh Jackson remains an obvious favorite in the weeks leading up to the draft. The hyperathletic forward doesn’t project as the most ideal of fits offensively, but his physical tools and defensive potential is enough to garner recognition as an almost undisputed top three talent in this year’s class.
At 6-8, he has the size and core strength needed to guard one through four with success, while his basketball I.Q. already yields a handful of awe-inducing defensive plays each night. He still needs to round out his fundamentals and sharpen his focus, but the essentials are already in place. Jackson also plays with an edginess that projects well at the NBA level, as his hustle should allow him to find production in some semblance from day one.
The majority of Jackson’s offensive fit hinges on the development on his jumper, something he struggled with often during his freshman campaign. He’ll need to smooth over his release a bit while also becoming more comfortable when working on the perimeter offensively. He already excels when playing downhill — either as a slasher or a playmaker. Now it’s a matter of increasing his comfort level and feel for the game when probing the exterior.
Must Read: Is Josh Jackson the Best Pick At 3? (Roundtable)
Considering the imperative nature of versatility in today’s league, Jackson’s likely the best bet for Philadelphia at three. He gives them another willing passer with the size needed to man multiple positions defensively, a solid addition to a rotation that will likely boast Ben Simmons and Robert Covington in some capacity.
The spacing is an undeniable issue, but one that can be ironed out in time. His prowess as a slasher and tantalizing talent in transition should be enough to find production early on.
The other names mentioned are noteworthy as well. With such a variety of names tied to the team, Jackson remains far from a certain entity. Dennis Smith Jr., despite an freshman season plagued with inconsistency, is arguably the best point guard in this year’s class outside of Markelle Fultz.
Malik Monk is the unquestioned best fit for Philadelphia, boasting a clean 3-point stroke and excellent athletic tools that could translate into a dangerous isolation threat in time. He might be the best off-ball scorer entering the league over the past few seasons. That’s a solid acqusition considering Brett Brown’s rotational needs alongside Simmons.
Tatum is a wildcard more so than anything else. An ultra-polished scorer with a dynamic mid-range and interior game, the Duke product’s most sizable leap can be made by increasing his consistency from deep. He also needs to clean up his handles and improve his decision making with the ball, but he made significant strides in doing so towards the back end of the campaign — most notably during Duke’s ACC Tournament run.
Next: 4 Potential Combos if the Sixers Trade for Picks 5 & 10
The Sixers are heading towards what could be their most successful Process era campaign to date. Assuming full health, this year’s lottery haul could provide the final piece in establishing this team’s competitive core moving forward. We’ll see which direction Bryan Colangelo is leaning come June 22.