Philadelphia 76ers clinch first-round pick in 2020 NBA Draft

The Philadelphia 76ers have officially clinched a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ recent draft history is a mixed bag. The good (Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton, Landry Shamet) interspersed evenly with the bad (Markelle Fultz, Anzejs Pasecniks, Zhaire Smith). On Wednesday night, the Sixers were officially guaranteed another chance at first-round talent in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft.

Oklahoma City’s pick — which was top-20 protected — conveyed Wednesday after a few chips fell in Philadelphia’s favor. First, the Sixers lost to Toronto despite a spirited battle between both teams’ reserves. Good, considering the Sixers are already locked into the No. 6 seed. Second, OKC downed the Miami Heat in crunch time, clinching the No. 5 seed in the West and, in the process, losing their pick.

While the pick conveying is positive news for Philadelphia, the best part is how it conveyed. Former Sixers big man Mike Muscala — not exactly of man of sterling repute in these parts — drained two 3s in the final minute to push OKC past the Heat. So, in a way, Muscala has finally paid dividends for the Sixers.

As for who the Sixers will take, it’s far too early to have a clear picture. Plenty of talented guards and wings populate the late first-round conversation. Tyrell Terry, Desmond Bane, Nico Mannion, and Aleksej Pokusevski (in no order) are some personal favorites who might hang around the early 20s.

In fact, in our most recent mock draft, Mannion went to the Sixers at 21. He’s one of multiple former top-10 recruits who could drop into Philadelphia’s lap. If the Sixers are inclined to bet on pedigree and upside, this is a solid draft for that.

In addition to a first-round pick, the Sixers will also have five second-round picks. For a normal team, that’s enough ammo to consider a trade up. For the Sixers, it might mean eight second-round picks, all of which are sold to furnish ownership’s “business endeavors,” or some malarkey. Sixers gonna Sixers.

The 2020 NBA Draft is currently scheduled for October 16.