The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers NBA draft strategy dilemma

By Bret Stuter

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Markelle Fultz signs autographs at Champs Sports prior to the draft lottery on May 15, 2017 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Markelle Fultz signs autographs at Champs Sports prior to the draft lottery on May 15, 2017 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 23: The Philadelphia 76ers host a post draft press conference announcing new players Anzejs Pasecniks, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 23: The Philadelphia 76ers host a post draft press conference announcing new players Anzejs Pasecniks, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) /

The draft times they are a’ changing

At 15 players, same roster number this team is ending the season at.  So where and how can this team pry open some roster spots? Or even more basically, should they? Well the fact is that the team likely should look to do so. Free agents should never be a primary way of stocking any professional sports team roster. The cost is higher, and the intrinsic value to the team is less.

The narrative for this Philadelphia 76ers team changes in the 2018-2019 conclusion. At the end of next season, contracts expire for Jerryd Bayless, Richaun Holmes, Justin Anderson, and T.J. McConnell.  But the team cannot enter that 2019 NBA Draft looking to draft replacements for any or all of these players. Those replacements must be associated with the Philadelphia 76ers at the end of next season.  To do so, they must arrive to the team via the 2018 NBA Draft from picks 11, 17, 37, 39, 48, 60.

2019 Draft leaner times

Entering that 2019 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers are likely looking at a late first round pick (their own), a late second round pick (their own) and an early second round pick from Sacramento. After years of multiple first round picks, the Philadelphia 76ers will be shopping frugally sooner than many fans would like.  That is the life in the NBA where playoff teams reside. The playoff teams shop free agency because, let’s face it, they are one of the attractive teams in the NBA now. And with late draft picks, there is the risk that talent at the team’s needs may not exist among the young players.

And so, the team must leverage these more “game ready” moves which hit the salary cap harder, and move past the diminishing value of the NBA Draft to deliver players who contribute immediately. The bottom line? Philadelphia 76ers current front office must use the 2018 NBA Draft to bring in players to plug projected holes in two-three years.  That’s something, to be perfectly honest, I’m not exactly convinced is the strong suit of President Bryan Colangelo.  In fact, he has stated in the past that four draft picks are probably too many.  So that’s our baseline – no more than four draft pick in 2018.