The Philadelphia 76ers currently hold the No. 22 pick in a potentially wild and unpredictable 2020 NBA Draft.
The prolonged absence of basketball and social gatherings as a whole will inevitably push back the 2020 NBA Draft date. Originally slated for June, it’s virtually impossible to expect anything sooner than August at this stage, and even August is wishful thinking.
As a result, the environment around the draft is a bit wonky. Prospects won’t have the same opportunities for in-person workouts or interviews. Front offices will need to rely on Zoom and tape more than ever, which creates an air of uncertainty around this rookie class.
We don’t have a solid grasp on how things will play out. Even if the NBA can successfully resume a shortened season in June or July, it would still take time to properly prepare for a draft without fans or players in the building. It would probably follow a similar game plan as the NFL Draft, which broadcasted from the homes of Roger Goodell and the NFL coaches.
To further the uncertainty around this draft, 2020 may be the most evenly talented rookie crop in recent memory. There isn’t a clear No. 1 prospect — about five names have all been tossed around by multiple sources — and evaluations for prospects in the mid-to-late first round tend to bleed together.
With that in mind, we can only guess which prospects Elton Brand may prioritize when draft night finally arrives. Here, however, are some under-the-radar prospects who might stick on the Philadelphia 76ers‘ radar.
3. Cassius Winston, Michigan State
PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 20-45
POSITION ON BIG BOARD: N/A
Cassius Winston has four years of experience in one of college basketball’s top programs. He’s a grizzled vet by college standards, and to some, he was best point guard in college basketball last season. He should have no shortage of NBA scouts hot on his trail.
What Winston lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with a well-rounded skill set. He’s both smart and poised. He doesn’t turn the ball over much, he doesn’t press too hard, and he’s thoroughly unselfish as a lead guard. Philadelphia is on the verge of contention, and Winston — a high-I.Q. playmaker known for his winning pedigree — should have natural appeal.
Despite a small 6-foot-1 frame, Winston displays excellent vision as a passer out of the pick-and-roll. His in-between game is equally strong, with a smooth pull-up jumper and a nice collection of floaters and touch shots at his disposal. Add his ability to play off-ball — including a red-hot 43.2 percent mark from deep — and it’s not hard to envision Winston’s fit in the Sixers’ offense.
Given his height and his limited athleticism, there is a natural cap on Winston’s ceiling at the next level. Even so, his base skill set and his ability to avoid mistakes should yield a role in the NBA, and Philadelphia as an especially strong need at the point guard spot. Winston defends hard, he’s usually the first player on the floor when diving for loose balls, and he’s the type of personality Philadelphia can rally behind.
The 22nd pick is admittedly high for Winston, and Philadelphia may target him as more of an early second-round pick. When you consider the uncertainty around this class, the Sixers’ desire for immediate contention, and Winston’s sheer productivity in college, however, it’s not unreasonable to earmark him for first-round consideration.
2. Aleksej Pokusevski, Olympiacos B
PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 15-35
POSITION ON BIG BOARD: N/A
Aleksej Pokusevski might hold the title of most interesting prospect in the 2020 NBA Draft. He’s wholly unique. A 7-footer who can handle and shoot like a wing, but who also weighs in at a troublesome 201 pounds. He is ghoulishly thin, and yet the intrigue around his skill set is unavoidable.
There are moments when Pokusevski’s movements on the court don’t make logical sense. He can fly around screens and hit deep threes on the move. His shooting mechanics are quick and compact — easier on the eyes than most guards in this class. He regularly takes smaller defenders off the dribble and wins. He is a treat to watch.
Where the issues start for Pokusevski is his frame. He can get pounded on defense, and while he’s light on his feet, most wings can attack his high center of gravity, get him off balance, and easily exploit him as a weak point in the defense. For every acrobatic block, there are many failed possessions.
He can also have trouble inside on offense. While he has plenty of touch inside the paint, he’s effortlessly removed from his spots by bulkier defenders. On drives to the rim, he struggles to get all the way inside, and he’s not one to absorb contact and finish. He will need to improve his frame to maximize his natural gifts in the NBA.
For the Sixers, Pokusevski would be a bold risk. He might not come over year one, and there’s a good chance he’s not ready to. Worst case scenario, he flops out of the league entirely — maybe never sees a true NBA game. Best case scenario, he’s a sleek and mobile 7-footer who can space the floor and aptly defend the power forward spot in a jumbo-sized frontcourt.
1. Immanuel Quickley, Kentucky
PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 30-50
POSITION ON BIG BOARD: N/A
Of the three names on this list, Immanuel Quickley is the least likely to end up in the early 20s. He simply doesn’t have that kind of buzz as a prospect. Even so, his skill set meshes too perfectly with Philadelphia’s current needs to ignore. In a wild and unpredictable year, it’s not impossible for the Sixers to fall in love and shock the world.
Quickley is one of the best shooters on the board. He has a lightning quick release and he buried a sizzling 42.8 percent of his triples as a sophomore. Due to his range and versatility as a shooter, Quickley can slyly manipulate defenders with his footwork and speed.
He is listed as a point guard, but Quickley’s damage is done mostly as a scorer. The Sixers have the playmaking talent to overcome his limitations as a passer, so Philadelphia profiles as one of the better potential landing spots for Quickley. He’s quick enough to dart inside and pressure the rim, and he’s tailor-made for a Joel Embiid two-man game. Quickley could spark to a sleepy Sixers offense.
In addition to his value on offense, Quickley was a stellar defender at Kentucky. He’s only 6-foot-3, and he could stand to add some weight to his 188-pound frame, but a massive 6-foot-10 wingspan allows Quickley to intercept passing lanes and bottle up ball-handlers at the point of attack.
A positive defender and point guard by trade, Quickley is the type of athletic floor-spacer who checks too many boxes for Philadelphia to ignore. If he’s not the pick at 22, at least monitor him as a potential second-round steal.