The Philadelphia 76ers rank among the most storied franchises in NBA history. Here are some of the less-heralded draft picks that helped get them there.
Founded in 1946, the Syracuse Nationals — now the Philadelphia 76ers — have been drafting prospects for over half a century. The Sixers have more historic relevance than most franchises, including three championship banners in 73 years of existence.
The NBA Draft in the main talent pipeline for most successful franchises. Even if the stars aren’t drafted, it’s almost impossible to fill out a contending roster without solid draft picks. History shines a positive light on the Sixers’ draft resume.
While there are obvious highlights at the top — Allen Iverson, Ben Simmons, Doug Collins — Philadelphia has also drafted well outside the No. 1 spot. Some of the greatest players in franchise history were less-heralded prospects.
As the 2019 NBA Draft approaches, it’s worth taking a look back. Revisiting the Sixers’ NBA Draft resume in a search for steals — hidden gems who exceeded expectations. Then, with five picks on the June 20 docket, Philadelphia has an opportunity to add another name to the list later this week.
The rules are simple. ‘Steal’ is a loose term when applied to the draft, so the qualifications are therefore loose. The only stipulation I will include is this: No top overall picks. That excludes Iverson, Simmons and Collins. Those who were hyped as potential all-time greats.
Special weight is given to the best overall players, but for the purpose of this list, those drafted later — perhaps outside the lottery or in the second round — are also given more credit. Getting a Hall of Famer in the mid-30s, for example, merits extra appreciation.
Here are the top 15 NBA Draft steals in Sixers history.
The 2003 NBA Draft brought the league multiple Hall of Famers, including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony. It also introduced one of the generation’s most potent shooters in Kyle Korver, who came off the board 52nd overall.
In his four full seasons with the franchise, Korver averaged 10.5 points in 26.9 minutes per game, shooting an elite 41.3 percent from deep on 4.8 attempts. The NBA hadn’t yet made its transition to perimeter-oriented basketball, which made Korver’s presence as a pure shooter more unique than it might seem today.
The Sixers were on the downswing after the Allen Iverson-led NBA Finals push in 2001, but Korver played an integral role nonetheless. He would go on to meticulously work his way up the NBA ladder in future seasons outside Philadelphia. But he got his start with the Sixers.
The 52nd pick seldom yields high-level value for NBA teams. Korver was a flyer, with minimal expectations and little to contribute in terms of NBA athleticism or two-way promise. It was his shooting that unlocked an unexpectedly long career, which is still going strong 16 years later.
For both longevity and production during his Sixers tenure, Korver is a worthy inclusion on this list. In an era defined by basketball’s offensive evolution, Korver cemented himself as a top-tier shooter, gunning around screens and creating offense through constant motion.
Listed at 6-foot-11, 251 pounds, Darryl Dawkins was a thunderous force in the post — so much so that his nickname was ‘Chocolate Thunder.’ Dawkins became the first player in NBA history to get drafted out of high school, going straight from Evans High School in Orlando to the pros.
While Dawkins with the fifth pick in a worthy 1975 NBA Draft class, it’s fair to dub him a steal for both his on-court impact and his legacy. Few players were more memorable at the time than Dawkins, who threw down monstrous dunks and blocked shots at an admirable rate.
He spent seven formative seasons in Philadelphia, averaging 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 23.1 minutes per game. He became an important role player on multiple competitive teams, appearing in the 1979 and 1982 NBA Finals.
At the center position, Dawkins was both imposing and efficient, using his strong frame to muscle in points at the rim. He shot over 60 percent twice during his Philadelphia tenure, helping to anchor the offense around star forces on the perimeter.
After 1982, Dawkins was shipped to the then-New Jersey Nets in a series of moves that resulted in Moses Malone joining the Sixers. He wasn’t dealt directly for Malone, but his impact over seven seasons was felt nonetheless. It was a necessary evil to add someone as impactful as Moses, an eventual NBA MVP.
One might be hesitant to include World B. Free on this list for a couple of reasons. He only spent three seasons in Philadelphia and peaked well after his departure, so most of his value in the NBA attributed to other teams’ success.
Even so, Free deserves credit for what he provided the Sixers compared to his draft position at No. 23. He was a late-round pick in the same draft that provided Darryl Dawkins, offering Philadelphia a talented shot-creator on the perimeter.
In three seasons with the team, Free averaged 13.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 24.1 minutes per game. He became known for his high-arcing jumper and electric athleticism, boasting an impressive 44-inch vertical.
Leaving the Sixers after the 1977-78 NBA season — one year prior to an NBA Finals run — Free would return late in his career, spending the 1986-87 NBA season where it all started. He would retire a year later before embarking on a long front office career. He’s now the Sixers’ director of player development.
It’s easy to appreciate Free for his personality and scoring, offering the Sixers’ dynamic late 1970s bench a bona fide offensive threat. He teamed up with players like Dawkins and Caldwell Jones to anchor a fun second unit, one that would later prove important in building the Sixers to a championship status.
Free didn’t get to see that through, but his overarching career success — plus three solid campaigns in Philadelphia — puts him on this list.
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.
Some might oppose labeling Luke Jackson as a ‘steal,’ which is a loose term to begin with. He was the fourth overall pick and never broke records or anything in that vein during his eight-year tenure in Philadelphia.
Even so, Jackson was a productive member of the Sixers for several seasons and performed beyond what his basic counting stats might indicate. He played an integral role in bringing a championship to the Sixers in 1967, completing a dynamic frontcourt next to Wilt Chamberlain.
Jackson’s career arc was unique. He peaked as a rookie, making his lone NBA All-Star appearance and averaging a double-double of 14.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. He was a powerful interior scorer, staunch defender and aggressive rebounder. It’s rare for rookies to make such important contributions in year one.
Injuries would derail Jackson’s career toward the end, but for the first five seasons — including the 1967 title run — he was one of the best players at a high point in franchise history. He was the yin to Chamberlain’s yang, forcing teams to deal with two high-level interior forces on both ends.
When the 1967 season concluded, the Sixers had ended the Boston Celtics’ eight-year championship run. It’s an understatement to say that rivalry has deep, deep roots. And Jackson is part of those roots.
The eighth overall pick in 1980, Andrew Toney became an underrated part of the Sixers’ strong presence in the 1980s. He made two NBA All-Star appearances and earned the ‘Boston Strangler’ label for his storied postseason performances against the Sixers’ bitter rivals.
In the 1982 playoffs, Toney averaged 26.2 points per game in Philadelphia’s thrilling seven-game series win over the Boston Celtics. He closed the series with 34 points in the final contest, launching the Sixers to an NBA Finals appearance.
He spent his entire eight-year career with the franchise, retiring early due to foot issues. He became known for his scoring prowess, averaging 20.4 points in the 1983-84 NBA season — his peak. Charles Barkley would later call Toney the “best player [he’s] ever played with.”
In addition to his 1982 heroics, Toney played a major part in the Sixers’ 1983 title run — one that resulted in a Philadelphia victory. He averaged 22.0 points and 5.8 assists per game in the Sixers’ sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, balancing Malone’s interior dominance with a prolific perimeter threat.
Toney had the athleticism, shooting stroke and instincts of an absolute stud. If it weren’t for nagging foot injuries, his career would have been even more prestigious. His performances against Boston, among many other things, will keep him cemented in Sixers legend for a long, long time.
Lou Williams has developed into the NBA’s best sixth man and an NBA All-Star caliber piece, almost cracking the mid-season showcase with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019. He got his start, however, in Philadelphia, spending his first seven seasons with the Sixers.
While Williams didn’t reach his peak in Philadelphia, he managed to become an integral piece to the second unit — not dissimilar to the roles he’s become known for in other cities. He also stepped up in the Sixers’ magical 2012 playoff run, where the eighth-seeded Sixers pushed the Boston Celtics to seven games in the conference semifinals.
Few players embody the pure scorer label more than Williams, though he has expanded his skill set beyond that. He’s a smooth, dynamic ball handler, boasting a gorgeous in-between game and pull-up range out to the 3-point line.
His ability to provide a scoring boost off the bench has transformed him into one of the generation’s most productive bench pieces. He doesn’t start because it’s not his place. He’s at his best in the second unit, offering teams a facelift when the starters sit and closing games strong.
Williams would leave the Sixers after the 2012 season, avoiding the oncoming Process and gradually increasing his role in other cities. But adding someone of Williams’ ilk at 45 — a high-level NBA scorer and elite sixth man — is worthy of the ‘draft steal’ label.
The 2004 NBA Draft wasn’t loaded with star power. Dwight Howard made waves as the No. 1 overall pick, but otherwise, it was a fairly mundane rookie class. Except for Andre Iguodala, who carved out an important niche in Philadelphia before cementing his Hall of Fame case with the Golden State Warriors.
Iguodala was selected ninth and has since outperformed picks No. 2-8 by a comfortable margin. He averaged 15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in eight seasons with the Sixers, emerging as a core piece in an otherwise bleak and unrewarding era.
An elite role player, “Iggy” was tasked will a bigger role than most would recommend. Yet he made it work, playing elite perimeter defense, developing into a gifted playmaker and carrying a significant scoring burden in his prime.
While not a great perimeter scorer, Iguodala’s basketball I.Q. and athleticism made him an effective slasher. He put pressure on defenses, either finishing inside or distributing to teammates. He was rewarded for his progression with his first (and only) All-Star appearance in 2012.
That same season, Iguodala played a key role in leading the Sixers past the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in the first round. It was a historic upset and one fans will remember for quite some time. Philadelphia never made the leap to contender status in Iguodala’s tenure, but he was a hard-nosed, lovable player who embodied the city.
He has since won three titles and an NBA Finals MVP in Golden State, adding well-deserved accolades to his impressive resume.
Red Kerr was drafted in 1954 and contributed to the Nationals’ 1955 title run, making an immediate stamp on Philadelphia — or, at the time, Syracuse — history. He was a throwback big through and through, giving ‘Cuse a dominant rebounding presence and skilled post scorer.
In his early years, Kerr was a sixth man behind NBA legend Dolph Schayes. He would eventually blossom into a star, averaging 17.8 points and 14.0 rebounds per game at his statistical peak in the 1958-59 NBA season. He earned three NBA All-Star appearances during his Nationals/Sixers tenure.
Kerr transitioned to Philadelphia in 1963, help anchor a franchise in flux. He would still thrive in the new city, spending 11 of his 12 NBA seasons with the franchise. As someone who was inexperienced entering the league, his long and productive career was quite the story.
He wasn’t the only gem in the 1954 NBA Draft — Bob Pettit was the highlight at No. 2 — but Kerr outlasted and outperformed most of his counterparts. He contributed to an NBA title and provided a steady hand for over a decade in the franchise’s earliest stages.
From 36th pick to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Maurice Cheeks was the prototypical draft steal. He was selected in the second round and helped lead Philadelphia to a championship in 1983. The Sixers made multiple NBA Finals runs before that as well, all with Cheeks running the offense.
The term ‘true point guard’ has since become outdated, but it fits Cheeks well. His primary job was orchestrating scoring opportunities for teammates. He averaged 7.3 assists per game in 11 seasons with the Sixers, becoming an all-time assist man in the process.
Cheeks was a part of three NBA Finals runs it total, including the monumental victory in 1983. On a team adding Moses Malone to the mix, it was Cheeks who made the offense hum. He fed Malone and Julius Erving, providing balance to a star-studded Sixers rotation.
In addition to his brilliance as a passer, Cheeks was a heralded defender as well. He ranks fifth all-time in steals and averaged 2.5 or more in three separate seasons. His high basketball I.Q. was obvious on offense, but it also translated to the defensive end. His instincts were top-notch.
Some of the best moments in franchise history were centered at least partly around Cheeks’ presence. He’s a role model for several modern point guards and someone who helped progress the game of basketball. His illustrious coaching career is a testament to his basketball mind.
Joel Embiid isn’t a steal because of his draft position. It’s the circumstances of his draft position that land “The Process” so high on this list. He was the third overall pick due to health concerns. The two prospects preceding him were Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker.
After their early career fanfare, both Wiggins and Parker have plateaued. Wiggins signed a max extension after promising to improve and then proceeded to get worse, if anything. Parker has dealt with injuries and no longer possesses a clear path forward in the NBA.
Embiid lost his first two seasons to foot complications. Yet the Sixers maintained confidence, even after Sam Hinkie was unjustly forced out and Bryan Colangelo brought in to replace him. It’s fair to say their patience was worthwhile.
Since returning, Embiid has looked the part of a generational talent. He’s the best player to grace red, white and blue since Allen Iverson, leading the Sixers to two postseason appearances in his first three (healthy) seasons.
Health is a relative term with Embiid — he has missed significant games in all three campaigns — but he’s an elite rim protector, a throwback post scorer and a well-rounded two-way threat. He’s the best center in basketball at age-24 and still has room for growth.
The Sixers pulled off an absolute heist and now have a cornerstone for the next five-plus seasons, if not 10 or more. He’s as special as a third overall pick gets.
Drafted to the Nationals in 1962, Walker partook in the move to Philadelphia just one year after joining the franchise. He went on to spend seven seasons in the Sixers/Nationals rotation, averaging 16.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game over that span.
Nicknamed ‘Chet the Jet’, quickness was Walker’s calling card in the NBA. He was a quick-twitch athlete, terrorizing defenses on drives to the rim. He was explosive and efficient, offering a perimeter scoring threat alongside the vaunted Wilt Chamberlain/Luke Jackson frontcourt.
Walker’s best season in Philadelphia came as part of the 1967 title run. He averaged 19.3 points per game, a number he wouldn’t surpass until joining the Chicago Bulls in 1969. Walker made three of his seven NBA All-Star appearances as a Sixer, the 1967 season included.
A strong mid-range scorer and elite finisher, Walker was almost ahead of his time. He scored efficiently as Hal Greer‘s perimeter sidekick, playing an integral role in Philadelphia’s loaded rotation. Our Rusty Gorelick mentioned the 1966-67 Sixers as the original superteam.
Since inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Walker still doesn’t get enough credit for his role on a gifted Philadelphia team. He was overshadowed by all-time talent, but deserves his own recognition in that illustrious vein. A top-five spot on this list is warranted.
Charles Barkley‘s inclusion on this list can be disputed due to the talent drafted in front of him, mainly Michael Jordan (third overall) and Hakeem Olajuwon (first overall). But there was also Sam Bowie and Sam Perkins — fine players, but nowhere near Barkley’s level.
In eight seasons with the Sixers, Barkley became one of the most dominant forces in basketball. He was listed at 6-foot-6, but averaged 14.6 rebounds per game at his peak. His strength, athleticism and skill level was unmatched. He was a truly unique talent.
On the interior, Barkley’s mobility, footwork and power made him difficult to contain. He even added a 3-point shot, though it was inefficient and in low volume. He was on the precipice of a new era, laying the groundwork for hard-working, high-energy bigs who spread the floor, defended multiple positions and played beyond their height.
Barkley made six of his 11 NBA All-Star appearances in Philadelphia, including an NBA All-Star Game MVP nod in 1990. He was drafted on the tail end of the Julius Erving/Moses Malone era and never won a title, but the perpetual rings argument shouldn’t cast doubt about Barkley’s impact. He was one of his generation’s best bigs.
After getting traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1992, Barkley went on to earn NBA MVP honors in 1993. His career was an all-around success, and while his peak didn’t hit in Philadelphia, he was still elite. Hall of Fame worthy in every facet.
Barkley is 20th all-time in rebounds and averaged over 25 points per game in four of his eight Philadelphia seasons. He deserves this spot, even as a high draft pick. It’s fair to say consensus Hall of Famer sits well above the median outcome for fifth overall picks.
Another fifth overall pick, Billy Cunningham joined the Sixers’ loaded roster in 1965. He would go on to join Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Luke Jackson, Chet Walker and others during the Sixers’ 1967 title run, playing an important role as Philadelphia’s sixth man.
With such a loaded frontcourt, the Sixers could overwhelm teams inside. Chamberlain was an athletic freak, rivaling the greatest athletes in sports history. Jackson was a methodical, energetic presence at the four. Cunningham brought even more firepower in reserve.
It wasn’t until his fourth NBA season that Cunningham averaged over 30 minutes per contest. It didn’t affect his impact, though, as the Chapel Hill product still averaged 18.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game during the historic 1967 campaign. In 26.8 minutes per contest. In just his second NBA season.
Cunningham spent all nine of his NBA seasons in Philadelphia. After Chamberlain left and Jackson faded due to injury, Cunningham overtook the mantle of starting power forward and led the charge for Philadelphia. He was a four-time All-Star in the NBA. His first season as a starter yielded a stat line of 24.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game.
From 1972 to 1974, Cunningham took a brief hiatus to the ABA, where he played for the Charlotte Cougars and won a league MVP. He returned for two more seasons in Philadelphia afterwards, ending his career due to injury in 1976.
While it doesn’t factor into his value as a draft pick, Cunningham’s coaching resume also gets a shout out. He coached the Sixers during their historic 1980s run and holds the third-highest win percentage in coaching history, trailing only Phil Jackson and Steve Kerr.
A true all-timer, Hal Greer ranks fourth on our list of the best players in franchise history. He was part of the loaded 1967 championship team, which ended the Boston Celtics’ almost decade-long reign atop the NBA. He’s one of the most productive perimeter scorers the NBA has seen.
Greer spent his entire 15-year NBA career in the Nationals/Sixers organization. He made 10 All-NBA Star appearances and was the second-best player during the most competitive years of that stint, giving Wilt Chamberlain, Luke Jackson and Billy Cunningham a guard dynamo to lean on.
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It’s worth noting how many members of that 1967 title team are on this list. Greer, Jackson, Cunningham and Walker are all worthy inclusions, which speaks to Syracuse and Philadelphia’s tremendous eye for talent in the franchise’s more primitive years.
During the 1967 postseason, Greer averaged a team-high 27.7 points per game. He finished his career as the all-time leader in games played and top 10 on the all-time scoring list, though those qualifications have since changed.
He holds the franchise record for points scored, field goals made, field goals attempted, games played and minutes played.
While Greer doesn’t receive the same hype as Chamberlain, Allen Iverson or Julius Erving, he’s a bona fide staple in Sixers history. His 15-season tenure included a championship, several memorable moments and numerous records. He’s as prevalent as the bigger names when revisiting Philadelphia’s basketball roots.
For a 13th pick, selected after multiple no-names and relative flops, Greer returned great value on his draft spot. Enough to earn the honors of top steal on the 76ers’ decades-long draft record.