Philadelphia 76ers: June 2020 mock NBA Draft round-up

A look at the 2020 NBA Draft class and the names tied to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ need for young, affordable, and most importantly cheap talent is as pressing as ever. With a cash-strapped roster and minimal financial flexibility in the immediate future, the Sixers will need to pry rotation pieces from the NBA Draft.

As of now, the Sixers hold the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. That could change — it’s a top-20 protected pick, courtesy of OKC — but given the likelihood of an abbreviated season, Philadelphia will probably retain its first-round pick.

In April, we sifted through a number of mock drafts from around the web to see who the Sixers were expected to target. While the basketball world is still on hold, plenty has changed in the NBA Draft sphere. So, naturally, we’re here to update the Sixers’ 2020 NBA Draft projections.

Rob Dauster, NBC Sports: Jahmi’us Ramsey, Texas Tech

An increasingly common name in late-first round conversations, Jahmi’us Ramsey makes a great deal of sense for Philadelphia. At 6-foot-4, he can flat-out get buckets. He’s a talented shooter, a fearless shot-maker, and a good enough athlete to encourage optimism on the defensive end. The Sixers need offensive firepower, and Ramsey — if not much else — can certainly put ball in hole.

Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report: Jalen Smith, Maryland

If the Sixers do aim for a big in the first round, preferably it’s someone other than Jalen Smith. While Smith brings a lot to the table as a shot-blocker and a floor-spacer, he’s a rigid athlete with very real concerns about his ability to translate college success into NBA success. He’s a good prospect, but not the kind Philadelphia really needs at the moment. Not in the first round, at least.

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report: Nico Mannion, Arizona

While not super high on Nico Mannion as a prospect, he’s solid value in the 20s. Philadelphia needs depth at the point guard spot, and Mannion brings plenty of traits Brett Brown ought to love — high basketball I.Q., willing ball-mover, good shooter. He’s too limited an athlete to project stardom, but the Sixers can mask his shortcomings better than most teams.

Tankathon: Nico Mannion, Arizona

Mannion has been on NBA Draft radars forever, and he entered the season as a top-10 prospect on most boards. While he disappointed at Arizona — his lack of efficiency is a notable red flag tied to his limitations as an athlete — Mannion has skill to spare, and he’s the type of hyper-smart playmaker who could provide real value in the second unit. The Sixers need someone else to use as a pressure-release valve in the backcourt.

Chris Stone, Sporting News: Kira Lewis Jr., Alabama

A personal favorite of mine, Kira Lewis Jr. should earn priority status in the Sixers front office. He’s maybe the fastest player in this year’s class — a slippery athlete who can bring much-needed speed and dynamism to Philadelphia’s halfcourt offense. Beyond his athletic gifts, Lewis is also a solid shooter, a smart playmaker, and a generally well-rounded talent. He’s one to watch.

Christopher Kline, The Sixer Sense: Tre Jones, Duke

Hey, that’s me! Tre Jones is a very Sixers-y prospect. He’s a hard-nosed defender, has a couple years of competitive experience under his belt at Duke, and is the kind of player often associated with winning basketball. He was one of college basketball’s top point guards, and while he’s not the most exciting prospect on this page, he’s easily the most accomplished.

You can read our most recent 2020 NBA Draft big board here.