Philadelphia 76ers: 15 greatest NBA Draft steals in franchise history
. Albany State. 32nd Pick, 1973 NBA Draft. Caldwell Jones. 12. player. 93
The 32nd pick in the 1973 NBA Draft, Caldwell Jones was selected in the 14th round. He ended up becoming a valuable role player for the Sixers, joining the team as a 26-year-old rookie after multiple seasons in the ABA. In six seasons with Philadelphia, he averaged 7.2 points and 9.2 boards in 28.4 minutes per game.
Jones was the ultimate grit factor, crashing the glass, blocking shots and playing staunch defense at the rim. He was a key contributor behind the likes of Julius Erving and Maurice Cheeks, helping to charge the Sixers during two NBA Finals runs in 1979 and 1982.
He only started 47 games with the franchise — all coming in 1981-82, his final season with the Sixers. But he was one of the most important sixth men in team history, averaging two or more blocks in three of his six seasons in Philadelphia. As a rookie, averaging just 24.7 minutes, he rejected 2.4 shots per contest.
The Sixers would end up dealing Jones to the Houston Rockets as part of the package that brought Moses Malone to Philadelphia. In a twisted way, that proves his value as a prospect — one drafted deep into the 1973 class.
Jones played a key role in bringing Malone, an eventual NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP, to town. Without Malone, the Sixers don’t get over the hump and win a title in 1983. One might argue Jones never helped Philadelphia get over the hump, but he was an integral role player during several contending seasons.
He was important to Philadelphia, both as a player and a trade chip. I’d say that’s good value at 32.