Even though we’re just one month into the Philadelphia 76ers‘ season and just a week into the college basketball season, it’s never too early to start thinking about the draft.
Despite the Philadelphia 76ers getting off to a solid start, the team still owns what will likely be a lottery pick in the Lakers’ first-round pick. Now with Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Robert Covington playing extremely well, there are few remaining starting spots currently open on this team.
But there are always room for role players to help the team grow and be better in the coming years. This draft class appears to be just as deep and maybe even more talented than last year’s.
Luckily for the Sixers, there are plenty of players at a position they could use for the future — the wing.
J.J. Redick has been a solid upgrade at the shooting guard spot this year, but he won’t be here for the long haul. And with inconsistent play out of the backup wings, the Sixers could look to upgrade that spot and have some more talent coming off the bench to replace guys like Covington and Saric.
Let’s take a look at five wing players that the Sixers should have on their radar as this college basketball season progresses. All of these players are projected to be taken in the 8-18 range where the Sixers could have one, possibly two picks.
Kevin Knox, F, Kentucky
Knox was one of the highest rated players coming out of high school and the highest rated player in Kentucky’s recruiting class for 2017.
He is an extremely skilled shooter, that is the No. 1 thing to like about his game. In the Wildcats’ most recent game against Kansas in the Champions Classic, Knox was knocking down 3-pointers with ease. Whether he was wide open or shooting contested jumpers, he was clearly the best shooter on the floor that night. Here are his full highlights from the game:
Despite being a knockdown shooter, Knox likes to attack the rim and get to the free throw line where he is very efficient. The one aspect of his game that needs improvement is his finishing at the rim. Knox also needs to utilize a pump fake and try to get to the basket more consistently as he often settles for long jumpers.
Defensively he profiles as a four because of his ability to defend in the post and rebound and his lack of quickness defending faster players on the perimeter.
He could be a solid upgrade for the Sixers at a backup four position. He could come off the bench and would fit well with a guy like Simmons as he is a big that can help spread the floor. It will be interesting to watch how he develops the rest of the season, but Knox is already a guy I would like to see the Sixers consider in the No. 7-10 range should they pick there.
Gary Trent Jr., G, Duke
Trent Jr. was one of the players I was most interested in watching this year at Duke. It’s easy to talk about fellow start freshmen Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr. and Trevon Duval, but Trent is also another freshman ready to make an impact for the Blue Devils and draw looks from NBA teams in the late lottery area.
He is an elite scorer that already has an excellent 3-point shot. His athleticism makes me think he could be good at attacking the rim as well, which is something he should look to do more of. Trent should be able to get plenty of open looks playing alongside Duval and Grayson Allen, and he’s been a knockdown shooter through the team’s first few games.
Trent has good size for a two-guard at 6-foot-6 and although we might not see him play much man-to-man defense in Coach K’s zone this year, he projects as a serviceable defender on the perimeter thanks to his length.
For the Sixers, Trent could project as the future at the two-guard spot should he end up on the team. He reminds me of Jerryd Bayless with the way he can shoot, but has better size and will be able to be a much better defender.
Trent’s draft stock could ultimately depend on how many looks he is able to get, but he scored 22 points in Duke’s win over Bowie State earlier this month. If he winds up playing a big role offensively down the stretch, he will definitely be a one-and-done candidate and a potential lottery pick.
Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State
Bridges returning to East Lansing for his sophomore season was one of the more surprising draft decisions last season, but he appears to have already upped his game.
The freakishly athletic forward has an improved jump shot and has been knocking down 3-pointers at a more consistent rate to start this season.
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We all know how good of a defender Bridges is and he projects as a four at the next level, but he could realistically defend NBA small forwards.
For a team like the Sixers that like to push the pace, Bridges would fit in very well as a potential lob target for Simmons. He would likely come off the bench as a reserve forward, but would bring great energy and defense to the second unit.
Bridges could enter National Player of the Year discussions and could even creep into the top five of the draft, but he’s available when the Sixers are on the clock they will have to take a long, hard look at such a talented player like Bridges.
Lonnie Walker IV, SG, Miami (FL.)
Despite Walker leaving the game with a twisted ankle on Thursday night, he’s still looked impressive to start his freshman campaign.
He’s a likely one-and-done candidate –– and for good reason.
Walker is a dynamic scorer that has a sweet stroke from beyond the arc, but is also an excellent slasher and is athletic enough to play above the rim.
He has potential on defense, which makes him a highly-touted NBA prospect at the two-guard spot. It will be interesting to watch how active he is on defense this year and how much the offense runs through him with plenty of other talented players on the Hurricanes this season.
The Reading, PA native is another player that will likely be available in the mid-lottery and will present another interesting option for the Sixers if the team decides to look for a future two-guard.
Troy Brown, G/F, Oregon
Brown may just in fact be the most talented freshman Dana Altman has gotten at Oregon and could be his first one-and-done player.
In Brown, Altman got a dynamic scorer that is also a willing passer at excellent size of 6’7″.
Brown is an excellent scorer when attacking the rim and is already a good finisher. The one aspect of his offensive game that will be heavily watched is his 3-point shooting. He hasn’t always been that jacks up shots at the perimeter, so it will be interesting to see if that part of his game develops at all this season.
He has the potential to skyrocket up draft boards this year with his play, but right now looks like a late lottery pick. His fit with the Sixers is a bit of a question mark right now because we don’t know how good of a shooter he can become.
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Nonetheless, he’s still an intriguing talent that the Sixers will have to keep an eye on as the college season wears on.