The Philadelphia 76ers might be looking to make some noise next Thursday.
With the 2018 NBA Draft under one week away, the Philadelphia 76ers might be looking to swing a deal. According to David Griffin, the Sixers are looking to move up to select somebody “they think will go in the top five.”
Assuming the Sixers don’t want another big, Luka Doncic and Michael Porter Jr. are the two most likely candidates. Trae Young might go in the top five, but it’s far from guaranteed. Porter’s rising stock and Doncic’s historic resume likely trump the Oklahoma point guard.
Several mock drafts, including ours, have Doncic falling to the Grizzlies at No. 4 — a team that reportedly wants to move back in the draft. Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mohamed Bamba are all competing for spots in the top three.
More from Sixers News
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Breaking Down Bombshell Report on Sixers Star James Harden
Porter’s stock has also been on the rise, though, with interest reported as high as No. 2 with the Kings. Despite significant injury concerns, his upside as a go-to scorer seems to be growing on teams. He was the top prospect on many boards coming into the season.
Outside of the Phoenix Suns at No. 1, just about every top-five team is open to trading their pick. That will give the Sixers multiple options when it comes to finding a deal that works in their favor.
It seems likely that the Sixers would have to part ways with either Dario Saric or Markelle Fultz, as well as the 10th and 26th overall picks, to move into the top five. Fultz’s upside probably makes him worth keeping, but Saric is already a proven starting-caliber asset on a competitive team.
We might end up seeing how highly Brett Brown values Fultz if a deal does inevitably go through.
Another potential ramification of this deal ties directly to the Kawhi Leonard trade talks. The Sixers would presumably need both Saric and Fultz to make a competitive offer for the Spurs star, which could make things interesting if moves start unfolding on draft night.
In an ideal world, Doncic is the Sixers’ target — he’s the best player on the board and the best fit. His size, playmaking and basketball I.Q. would make him an immediate impact player for a Sixers team that’s ready to compete in the Eastern Conference.
With that said, Porter has upside of his own and is a reasonable pick if everything shakes out medically.
We’ll have a story out Jun. 16 on why trading up for Doncic makes sense.