Which 2019 NBA Draft prospects should the Philadelphia 76ers be monitoring as potential second-round steals.
We are now 49 games into the 2018-19 season and it has been no secret that most of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ struggles have come in regards to the quality of play coming off the bench. Despite being fan favorites, the combo of T.J. McConnell, Furkan Korkmaz, and newcomer Corey Brewer are not long term solutions to this problem. Though there is room to improve this season through trade deadline acquisitions, this year’s draft is much deeper than many people think.
Draymond Green, Nikola Jokic, Malcolm Brogdon, Isaiah Thomas. All of these players have been drafted in the second round within the last decade. While lottery players like Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett garner national attention for good reason, it can be these diamonds in the rough that can turn a pretender into a contender. With the Sixers having a handful of second round picks, here is an analysis of five projected second players that could make a real impact next season.
Ky Bowman, Boston College
The 6-foot-1 guard from Boston College is proving to be one of the few bright spots in the lackluster year from the Eagles. The Junior guard is averaging a career best 20.9 points per game, 8.4 rebounds, and is contributing over three assists per game.
The biggest factor in Ky Bowman’s game is his long-range consistency, shooting almost 38 percent from deep, something that this Sixers rotation desperately needs. When watching Bowman play, I can’t help but reminisce about the tenure of former second round draft pick of the Sixers, K.J. McDaniels.
Bowman’s freakish athleticism is similar to that of McDaniels, but he shown a much more refined offensive game to go along with a true NBA body. Just this week, Bowman scored 37 leading Boston College to a home win over 11th-ranked Florida State. The 37 points were not what impressed me as I watched, rather the efficiency and ease with which he got his shots. Bowman finished the game 13/18 from the field and 5/7 from the line. These numbers from a player who is his team’s clear first option on offense is uncommon to say the least.
In his three years, Bowman has proved to be a true point guard with an excellent handle that could make an immediate impact for a young Sixers team looking for a reliable backup to Ben Simmons. With Bowman being a projected early second round choice, it could be in the Sixers best interest to look at him with their first rounder which will presumably end up in the 24-30 range. If Bowman ends up on Broad Street come draft day, the Sixers will have had a successful draft.
Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s
As a preseason All-American, it’s safe to say that Shamorie Ponds has made a name for himself on the national level. In his three years at St. John’s, Ponds has proven to be one of the best iso players in the nation. In his last two seasons, he is averaging over 20 points per game, and is no stranger to a 35+ point game. To say he is the engine that runs St John’s basketball would be a bit of an understatement.
I was hard pressed to find a current NBA comparison for the lefty guard, but after watching some film the comparison seemed telling. The way he is able to score at will slashing to the rim, but without deep range hesitation, Ponds has shown flashes of a style similar to All-Star Victor Oladipo. Despite being a former All-Star, Oladipo had a bit of a rocky start to his career in Orlando and Oklahoma City. Once he found his home in Indiana, he has become one of the most dominant guards in the game.
While it is not expected that Ponds will enter the NBA next season and put up 20+ points per game, it is not far fetched to think that he could play an immediate role in a depleted Sixers rotation. As a 39 percent shooter from beyond the arc, Ponds is another potential pick that could alleviate the Sixers shooting woes.
Most draft boards have Ponds falling very late in the draft, but I would be a bit surprised if it stayed that way. Nevertheless, the tough-nosed, hard-working Ponds would become a Philly fan favorite almost overnight if he suits up next year as a Sixer.
Louis King, Oregon
After missing his team’s first seven games rehabbing a torn meniscus suffered in his senior year of high school, Louis King has shown to be a true impact player for the Oregon Ducks this season.
With a reduced workload until about four games ago, King’s numbers were nothing that would excite an NBA scout or fan. However, in this most recent four-game stretch where his workload is up to normal, King is averaging 17 points and 9.3 boards while shooting an impressive 40 percent from three. The 6-foot-9 Jersey City native has shown that he has a game that has potential to translate to the next level.
The Sixers have a handful of holes in their bench, and King could be one of the few players in the second round that could have an immediate and impactful presence in the rotation. The addition of King would allow the Sixers to rotate in a shooter with an NBA build off the bench rather than the unproven Furkan Korkmaz.
King is another fearless player with whom the city would love from the get-go. As a projected early to mid-second round pick, King could be an inexpensive yet effective play for the Sixers come draft day.
Kerwin Roach II, Texas
Considering the trend of one-and-done super freshman entering the league, it makes sense that Roach is the only senior on this list. The fourth-year guard from Texas has shown flashes of pure athleticism that should put NBA scouts on notice.
Although only averaging 13.5 points per game to go along with five boards and four assists per game, Roach has an unpolished offensive game, similar to that of UCLA product Russell Westbrook. Listed at 6-foot-4, there is no question that Roach has an NBA body, and just a quick search of his highlight tape would show you that he is a high-flying athletic rim runner that can make a quick impact off the bench for any NBA team.
With Roach being a projected late-second round pick, it makes sense for the Sixers to take a gamble on a player with as high a ceiling as his. I see Roach coming in and taking the backup minutes away from fan favorite T.J. McConnell in the case that we still do not have a healthy Markelle Fultz back in full rotation.
The risk here for the Sixers is well worth the reward if you can get Roach in the right position. With Brett Brown being one of the league’s best at cultivating young talent, I see no reason why the Sixers don’t take a shot at Roach.
Brian Bowen, Sydney Kings (NBL)
Perhaps the most intriguing player on this list, Brian Bowen was the center of an FBI investigation after receiving $100,000 for his then commitment to Louisville. The 6-foot-7 former McDonald’s All-American has since decommitted from Louisville amid scandal and now plays for the Sydney Kings in the Australian NBL.
Despite only averaging 6.5 points per game, it could be argued that the NBL is better NBA prep for Bowen than the NCAA. As a long, athletic forward, Bowen has shown that he has the ability to play, but it still an extremely raw talent. The exciting Bowen shoots a respectable 38% from range which should intrigue NBA scouts because those numbers should only go up once he is brought into the training regimen of the NBA.
As another projected mid-to-late second round pick, the risk vs reward for Bowen could end up being worth the late selection. Despite the potential that Bowen will be overshadowed by his past, there is no doubt that he has the ability to impact an NBA lineup down the road.
In the 2019 draft, the Sixers hold three second round picks, all of which have the potential to make an impact in next season’s rotation. While it is expected that the Sixers will make some sort of trade deadline acquisitions, there is still going to be a need for quality pieces to be added through the draft.
Though many think the second round is more about luck when it comes to finding a second round star like Draymond Green or Isaiah Thomas, the reality is that there almost is no luck, it comes down simply to scouting and fit.
The Sixers have a great opportunity to find their overlooked star this year, and any Sixers fan should be very excited if any of these five players hear their name called come draft day.