Who might the Philadelphia 76ers consider with the 33rd overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft?
The Philadelphia 76ers‘ steadfast asset accumulation has gifted them with four second-round picks in the 2019 NBA Draft. While Elton Brand is unlikely to utilize all four — whether it means a trade or draft-and-stash prospects — there’s an opportunity for the Sixers to add a valuable contributor to the second unit.
This will mark Brand’s first offseason at the helm and his first draft will major say-so. He was only a voice in a crowded room last summer, which should spark optimism when it comes to projecting Philadelphia’s success on June 20.
Perimeter depth is an important issue for the Sixers, something that could get addressed at No. 24 — Philadelphia’s sole first-round selection. Even so, the Sixers should use multiple picks on the backcourt and wings. The early second round also presents an opportunity to draft new blood behind Joel Embiid at center.
In the near future, we will publish a similar piece regarding the 34th pick. Since the selections are consecutive (for now), both pieces will bleed together. There are options on that list who can be considered at 33 and vice versa — the order doesn’t really matter.
Here are some early second-round candidates worth studying.
5. Louis King, Oregon
A lingering meniscus injury forced Louis King to miss the first month of his freshman season. Once he broke into the rotation, however, King quickly made an impact during Oregon’s surprising late-season run — one that ended in a PAC-12 title and NCAA Tournament berth.
King still possesses the tools of a five-star recruit, standing 6-foot-8 and boasting fluid athleticism. He’s a skilled shot-maker who flashes scoring at every level, whether it’s spot-up threes or pull-up jumpers in the pick-and-roll.
He needs to tighten his handles, but King can break out crossovers and dribble moves to generate space off the bounce. He’s also a silky finisher inside, showing nice touch on floaters. His potential as a spark plug on the wing, along with decent passing chops, should intrigue the Sixers.
In addition to his offense, King has potential on defense. His 7-foot wingspan affords him the length to defend multiple positions, though his awareness and fundamentals often waver. If he brings a more consistent effort to both ends, his 3-and-D profile should lead to NBA minutes.
4. Terence Davis, Ole Miss
A strong pre-draft process on the heels of a strong senior campaign has landed Terence Davis firmly on draft radars. Some have him going as early as the first round, but a second-round selection in the low-30s seems very feasible.
The Sixers, even if Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris return, would benefit from additional shot creation on the perimeter. Davis fits that role as someone who can create in live-dribble situations and hit pull-up jumpers at a high clip.
A 37.1 percent three-point shooter as a senior, Davis made major strides in that department. He will still need to prove his consistency at the next level, though, especially with concerns over just how far his range extends. The Sixers need wings who can create, but not if it comes at the expense of floor spacing.
Assuming Philadelphia buys Davis as a shooter, his ability to get dribble penetration, hit tough shots and defend fits the second unit well. He needs to add strength, but at 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, he has the tools to switch around the perimeter and guard multiple positions.
3. Danial Gafford, Arkansas
The Sixers need new life at the center position. All four reserves — Boban Marjanovic, Jonah Bolden, Greg Monroe and Amir Johnson — were untenable in the postseason. Philadelphia will rely more on load management for Embiid next season, assuming the Kawhi Leonard lesson has been learned.
That means Brand needs to find more suitable reserves at the five spot. While I’m a believer in Jonah Bolden’s long-term upside, he still has some growth left. Daniel Gafford in a capable plug-and-play big whose skill set fits Philadelphia’s style.
At 6-foot-11, Gafford has tremendous length and athleticism. He’s a constant lob-threat, offering the Sixers a legitimate vertical spacer behind Embiid — something that has been lacking in recent seasons. He’s also well-equipped to run the floor in transition, which pairs nicely alongside Ben Simmons.
Gafford can’t shoot, but his base skill set should function in the NBA. He’s also a viable rim protector who, in time, should help the Sixers’ defense not collapse whenever Embiid sits. He will need to cut down on fouls, but has the timing and hops to deter shots inside.
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.
1. Carsen Edwards, Purdue
There’s an argument — and a strong one at that — to consider Carsen Edwards at 24. He should be considered at 24 and elsewhere in the low-to-mid 20s, which seems possible. But most mocks still have Edwards falling to the second round.
If he’s available at 33, the Sixers should pounce on Edwards will no second thoughts. He’s the ideal fit on the perimeter, adding a spark-plug to the bench who can both create in live-dribble situations and thrive in an off-ball role.
Edwards is a dynamic shooter, both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. He doesn’t need much time or space to fire, possessing the ability to gun around screens and launch on the move. His off-balance shooting is a very translatable (and valuable) NBA skill.
There are always concerns about employing 6-foot guards in the NBA, but Edwards is a built like a linebacker and has a 6-foot-6 wingspan. That’s more than enough to defend his position and survive switches on most two-guards. He’d be a natural fit in Philadelphia.