NBA Draft 2020: Sixers guide, mock draft, everything you need to know
With the 49th and 58th picks, the Philadelphia 76ers select…
Who! Knows!?
Again… a lot of optionality, and lot of different possibilities. Some prospects mentioned on the previous slide could tumble to the 40s, or even the 50s. Likewise, some of these prospects may find themselves in the 30s mix. This talent in this draft is evenly distributed to a remarkable degree.
Here are some names to watch in Philadelphia.
KILLIAN TILLIE [F] gonzaga <<<PROFILE>>>
Tillie is possibly the steal of the draft. Most mocks have him in the 40s or 50s, but he’s firmly in my top-30. Injuries are a major concern, but if Tillie can stay on the floor, his mix of shooting, basketball I.Q., and mobility at 6-foot-10 is a great source of confidence. He can help a team win games.
TY-SHON ALEXANDER [G] creighton
Another 3-and-D guard to toss into the mix. Alexander is a strong value pick late in the second round, and he happens to check a lot of boxes for Philadelphia. He can shoot, he’s a plus defender at 6-foot-4, and his point guard skills — while need in need of some workshopping — would fit nicely in the Sixers’ barren wasteland of a backcourt.
YAM MADAR [G] hapoel tel aviv
Madar is a potential draft-and-stash candidate who has drawn comparisons to Sixers legend T.J. McConnell. He’s a tough, grind-it-out point guard who makes crisp decisions with the basketball and wears his heart on his sleeve. Late in the second round, what more can you ask for?
ABDOULAYE N’DOYE [G] cholet basket
Still rough around the edges at 22, it’s fair to wonder whether N’doye will ever put the pieces together. As a stash candidate who is both 6-foot-7 and a potentially competent ball-handler, the Sixers could do worse than to invest in his physical tools.
GRANT RILLER [G] college of charleston
One of the top scorers in college basketball, Riller is no stranger to the points column of the stat sheet. He’s a high-volume shooter who can drill 3s from well beyond NBA range, but his small stature and lack of experience against high-level competition are areas of concern.
SAM MERRILL [G] utah state
He has more years under his belt than the average rookie — 24 of them, in fact — but Merrill fits the mold of a savvy upperclassman who could scrap his way to a role. He’s above-average from deep and he’s a smart, measured playmaker. He’s worth a look for a contender like Philadelphia.
NATE HINTON [G] houston
Hinter averaged almost nine rebounds per game last season. He’s 6-foot-5. Not many prospects work harder than Hinton, and he’s a good enough 3-point shooter to justify the investment from Philadelphia. In a 3-and-D league, he has a chance.
KALEB WESSON [C] ohio state
If Philadelphia decides to target frontcourt help, Wesson stands out in a unique light. He’s problematic on defense — he has reportedly shed weight, but he’s still slow-footed by NBA standards — but Wesson’s ability to stretch the floor and score efficiently at the rim could earn him a role.
NICK RICHARDS [C] kentucky
It took Richards — a former five-star recruit — a few seasons to find his bearings at Kentucky. After a strong junior year, he’s firmly on the second-round radar due to his upside as a rim protector and lob-catcher.