The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Sixers should have drafted Kyle Korver in 2003

By Lucas Johnson

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 5: Kyle Korver #26 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics on December 5, 2007 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 5: Kyle Korver #26 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics on December 5, 2007 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sadly the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t have a first round pick in a loaded 2003 NBA Draft, however the club made the second round more complicated than needed.

The ineptitude of former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Billy King struck again in the 2003 NBA Draft. There were solid players throughout the draft and of the players selected that year, seven were on an NBA team this past season. Yet, King traded away this Sixers first round pick that year to the Boston Celtics back in 2001 for Jerome Moise who never even played one game for the Sixers.

The Celtics selected Dahntay Jones with the Sixers pick, however there’s no use in trying to analyze a pick the Sixers didn’t own. However, the Sixers did own the 50th pick in the second round. The club selected Paccelis Morlende with the pick, then traded him to the Seattle SuperSonics for Willie Green, who the Sonics selected earlier in the second round. Then, the Sixers payed for the draft rights to Kyle Korver who was drafted by the then New Jersey Nets at the 51st pick.

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Through several moves, the Sixers were still able to walk away from the 2003 NBA Draft with two draft selections. King should be applauded for his maneuvering, however he didn’t need to go through all that trouble. King should’ve just drafted Korver with the 50th pick and shouldn’t have traded for Green.

Flipping Morlende for Green is an impressive feat to be sure, considering Morlende never played in the NBA. Green had a long and solid tenure for the Sixers. However, Korver was much more effective when he was a Sixer.

Korver had 17.5 Win Shares with the Sixers versus Green’s 5.8 Win Shares with the club. Korver also averaged more points and shot better from 3-point land than Green when each player was with the franchise.

Beyond the fact that Korver was clearly better, the Sixers didn’t need Green either. Not including Korver and Green, in the 2003-04 season the Sixers had Allen Iverson, Glenn Robinson, Aaron McKie, John Salmons and Greg Buckner that were wing players on the roster. Granted Iverson only played in 48 game and Robinson only played 42 games, but still the Sixers had the depth that if the team didn’t trade for Green, the club would have survived. Green didn’t have a single Win Share that season.

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This isn’t meant to bash Green. Green was a good rotational player for the Philadelphia 76ers during his tenure. However, adding him was unnecessary for the Sixers and the club would have just been best served by drafting Korver with the 50th pick.