The Sixer Sense
Fansided

2018 NBA Mock Draft 7.0

By Christopher Kline

BELGRADE, SERBIA - MAY 20: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid poses with Chamipons Trophy and MVP of the final Trophy 2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague F4 Champion Photo Session with Trophy at Stark Arena on May 20, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Rodolfo Molina/EB via Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA - MAY 20: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid poses with Chamipons Trophy and MVP of the final Trophy 2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague F4 Champion Photo Session with Trophy at Stark Arena on May 20, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Rodolfo Molina/EB via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers
SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 14: IMG Academy Ascenders guard Anfernee Simons (3) shoots the ball during the first half of the Spalding Hoophall Classic high school basketball game between the Vermont Academy Wildcats and the IMG Academy Post Grad Ascenders on January 14, 2018, at the Blake Arena in Springfield, MA .(Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

SG. IMG Academy. Anfernee Simons. 27. player. 18.

Simons spent a post-graduate season at IMG Academy, allowing him to skip college and go directly to the NBA. He might take a while to develop, but Simons’ upside is equal to some of the better guards in this class.

His thin build is a concern, but Simons is a long, bouncy athlete who can hit shots all over the floor. He’s a smooth ball handler with legitimate range, allowing him to pick defenders apart in isolation. There are some concerns about his shot mechanics, but he has a quick release that should smooth out in time.

It might take a few years for Simons to reach his peak, but the Celtics can afford to wait. Their player development has been nothing short of spectacular in recent years, while Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart might be pricing their way out of Boston. That will open up minutes in the backcourt.