2. Nicolas Claxton, Georgia
A strong combine performance has landed Nicolas Claxton inside the top-30 on some boards, my own included. But there’s still a chance he slips to the Sixers at 33, where he becomes arguably the best available center for Philadelphia.
Hovering around the 7-foot mark, Claxton blends size and athleticism at the five. He can protect the rim, but also slides his feet on the perimeter, using his gaudy wingspan to contain quicker guards off the dribble. His potential as a switch defender in the Sixers’ super-sized rotation is very much intriguing.
On offense, Claxton provides a theoretical yin to Joel Embiid’s yang. He’s a willing rim-runner who can also handle the ball, often grabbing rebounds and pushing the pace in transition. He has a ton of appeal as a potential running mate for Simmons in smaller, quicker lineups surrounded by shooting.
Claxton has shown inklings of a three-point shot and should continue to expand his range. There’s a clear path for Claxton to become a capable reserve who can survive in the postseason, something only a few true bigs in the 2019 NBA Draft have. He’d be ideal in the low-30s.