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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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) /

Revisit rewards new insights

We continue to revisit the 2018 NBA Draft for several reasons. The Philadelphia 76ers are a playoff team with a remote chance at the number one pick in that draft. The Sixers are also a rare example of a team which is combining current success with future talent.  The team holds three talented players in Euroleague limbo.  As the team makes decisions of who goes and who stays, the team will have talented players ready to plug and play into the 2018-2019 roster.

But which players? Which player will remain on this roster? Which player will walk a seperate path? Building a championship roster is not the science many believe it to be. It’s a trial and error journey which the Philadelphia 76ers are firmly committed to now. We know that Amir Johnson and Jerryd Bayless did not produce what this team needed consistently.  But we know that J.J. Redick did harmonize.  Those trial and errors will continue.

Value of the 2018 NBA Draft

The 2018 NBA Draft holds six picks for the Philadelphia 76ers. 10 percent of the chosen NCAA players in that draft will owe their professional basketball allegiance to Philadelphia. That means the Philadelphia 76ers will have six chances to choose the WRONG players. But it means the team will have six opportunities to choose the RIGHT players. That’s not being facetious nor overly dramatic. The belief that any NBA team can get picks to resonate well for their teams are debunked each season.

Rookies need three things in their first season. Plenty of good coaching. Plenty of playing time. And finally, plenty of patience.  The Philadelphia 76ers may not have enough of all three to mete out to new rookies. So the team will be forced to make some tough decisions. Which player? Draft and keep, or draft and stash?  When will this player have an opprtunity to impact the 76ers lineup?  Drafted players will now be major impacts years down the road.  Will they be the right skillsets when the team needs them?