The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers aim at playoffs and 2018 NBA Draft

By Bret Stuter

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) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers return to the NBA playoffs playing their best basketball of the season. Afterwards, the 2018 NBA Draft rewards the team with six more picks

The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. On a 9-1 run, this team has ascended rapidly in the NBA Eastern Conference. Not long ago, the team was fighting for a playoff spot. Now the team is aiming at the 3-seed currently held by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The horizon is filled with the possibilities of postseason. Can the 76ers advance to round two? To round three? To the NBA Championship? In the year of the Philadelphia Eagles shocking Super Bowl victory, can the Philadelphia 76ers shock the NBA?

However you see the 76ers’ chances in post season, the team has more going on this year.  Six picks in the 2018 NBA Draft. Six new players to add to the three playing overseas. Nine new players overall. On a 15 man roster, that’s a huge haul. But don’t look for the team to sign everyone to the roster just yet.

High altitude viewpoint

With the Philadelphia 76ers getting a higher and higher seed this season, the team will lean more heavily upon veterans in the years to come.  The good news is that the postseason experience for this team will mature practically every player on this roster.  And that means everything to this team. Until this season, the “next step” was all about shopping the NBA Free Agency market.  To upgrade, we speculated about who could fill the team’s needs.

Need no more. Now, the team shops for fit. The talent level of this team is high enough now that the roster can mask some lack of production. Not every player needs to pop the scoreboard with 30 points and 20 rebounds. The Philadelphia 76ers have Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Markelle Fultz.  They are three championship pieces.  Put Dario Saric into that mix.  And Robert Covington is roaring the defense now too.  Now the team needs to add “fits” rather than “upgrades”.