The Philadelphia 76ers own the 28th and 50th overall picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. While there’s a good chance the Sixers trade one (if not both) of the picks to acquire veteran talent, there are plenty of prospects who should catch Daryl Morey’s eye.
We have already analyzed potential Sixers targets at point guard and shooting guard — some of whom are first-round prospects, others of whom are better suited to the second round. This article will perform the same task at the small forward position.
Wing depth was an issue for the Sixers last season, so there’s reason to believe Morey may look to address it on July 29. Here are five prospects to watch out for.
5 small forwards to watch in Sixers’ NBA Draft: Brandon Boston Jr.
Brandon Boston may fit more naturally as a two-guard, but at 6-foot-7, he has the size and skill set to masquerade as a wing. Depending on how the Sixers’ roster shakes out, Boston’s role could vary. In all likelihood, however, he’s not a year-one rotation piece.
Before the season, Boston was almost universally pegged as a top-five prospect. His draft stock took a nosedive at Kentucky, where he shot 35.5 percent from the field and could never really establish a rhythm offensively. For a player who relies so heavily on shot-making, the lack of made shots from Boston is a big concern.
That said, there is a reason Boston was considered a top-five talent before the season. Kentucky has a long history of churning out gifted NBA scorers, and it’s not unfeasible for Boston to join the list. He still showed flashes in Lexington, and given the general oddity of the last year in sports, it’s not hard to look past it and see the end of the rainbow. Boston is still an NBA athlete, with the size and length to create matchup advantages in his favor, should the shot-making juice ever return.
There’s a chance Boston flames out. There’s a chance he’s nothing more than an inefficient gunner who won’t last two years as a pro. Even so, the Sixers may not expect an immediate contributor at 28, and there’s a certain appeal to gambling on a player with Boston’s ceiling. Perimeter shot-making has been the bane of Philadelphia’s existence for a while, and if Boston hits, he will probably hit big.
Also, the potential irony of a player named Boston helping Philadelphia keep ahead of the Boston Celtics is too good to pass up.
PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 25-45
BIG BOARD RANKING: 35
5 small forwards to watch in Sixers’ NBA Draft: Isaiah Todd
Like Boston, Isaiah Todd is a five-star recruit who performed below expectations in 2021. Firmly in the shadow of Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga on the G-League Ignite team, it was hard for Todd to establish consistent production. Even so, he’s a potential first-round pick, and someone the Sixers should strongly consider if he drops to 28.
Again, size and versatility in the second unit was a problem last season. Todd would provide a potential solution, standing 6-foot-10 with springboard athleticism and real shot-making chops. He can bury 3s, hit one-legged fadeaways out of the post, or finish plays above the rim. He has five-star athleticism, and the kind of upside — much like Boston — that is rare to find in the 20-30 range.
Todd is a safer bet than Boston, in this writer’s opinion. He’s bigger, with a more projectable frame strength-wise. He was not a very good defender in the G-League, but he has all the tools, he needs only to apply them. Todd’s decision-making is suspect, and for that reason Doc Rivers would probably never play him as a rookie, but there are worse ideas than swinging big at the end of the first round.
If his shots fall consistently, and Todd can become at least passable as a defender, then he will contribute at the next level. He’s too naturally gifted not to. A team like Philadelphia, where the roster is loaded with veterans, may be the best landing spot. There’s a certain sense of responsibility that comes with playing for a contender, and Todd would benefit from a defined role and a short leash early in his career.
PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 20-45
BIG BOARD RANKING: 24
5 small forwards to watch in Sixers’ NBA Draft: Herb Jones
Herb Jones is the reigning SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his college career on the highest possible note, and will enter the NBA Draft with several potential suitors as a result. He is someone the Sixers should look at. He’s probably not the best choice at 28, but should he tumble all the way to 50, he could be a potential steal.
As his résumé would suggest, Jones is a true weapon on defense. At 6-foot-6, he’s a disruptive force, with great court awareness and a useful competitive streak. He can swallow guards with his 7-foot wingspan, or play the passing lanes and make an impact off-ball. The Sixers have perimeter defense in the form of Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle, but should one or both of them get traded, then Jones’ talent on that end could suddenly become an asset of great importance.
On offense, the fit is a bit murkier. Jones has a high basketball I.Q. and should find ways to contribute. He’s a smart passer with some real ball-handling chops, but he’s also a career 28.8 percent 3-point shooter at the college level. The Sixers need to prioritize spacing around Joel Embiid, and Jones will not stretch a defense.
That does, of course, become more manageable if a certain 6-foot-10 non-shooter gets shipped elsewhere. Also, even if Simmons stays and Jones is the pick, it’s unlikely the Sixers expect immediate wide-ranging contributions from a late first-round pick, much less a second-round pick. Even the most optimistic, depth-deprived contender is more likely to seek help in the form of veterans, not rookies. If Jones isn’t the best fit, but the Sixers believe he’s the best player, then he’s accomplished enough to justify the pick.
PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 25-50
BIG BOARD RANKING: 41
5 small forwards to watch in Sixers’ NBA Draft: Ziaire Williams
This article has developed a certain theme. Before the season, Ziaire Williams — another five-star recruit — was a projected top-10 pick. He struggled in his one season at Stanford, though, and is now facing the possibility of a selection much later in the first round. If he falls to Philadelphia at 28, it’s hard to imagine too many better options.
Again, the Sixers cannot get caught up in the idea of immediate contributors. The NBA Draft is always a crapshoot. Half the “sure-fire contributors” never pan out, while more often than not, at least one “long-term project” has a big rookie season. Take, for example, Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels. He was a projected top-10 pick who tumbled down draft boards after a lousy freshman year. He ended up as the 28th pick, with most pre-draft evaluations expressing uncertainty over his ability to hold up in the NBA. He was a key piece of the Wolves’ rotation as a rookie.
Williams falls into a similar vein. He’s extremely thin (6-foot-9, 188 pounds), and was far more inefficient than scouts would have liked in his one year at Stanford. The offensive tools still pop, and if he can boost his efficiency, there is undeniable appeal in a 6-foot-9 wing who can create his own offense. On defense, Williams will probably get pushed around early on, but he’s long, mobile, and active. There’s a lot to like if he can add a few pounds of muscle in the weight room.
Again, the Sixers would benefit from size on the wing, and would also benefit from a genuine shot-maker on the perimeter. Williams has the basketball I.Q. to find his way, and the mechanics of his shot look good. He has real high-level starter upside. If he falls to Philadelphia — not likely, but certainly not impossible — then he is probably the best prospect available.
PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 15-30
BIG BOARD RANKING: 21
5 small forwards to watch in Sixers’ NBA Draft: Trey Murphy III
This is the ideal outcome. The pipe dream. The “how did other teams let this happen?” moment. Not dissimilar to when Tyrese Maxey, who should’ve gone around the lottery, dropped into Philadelphia’s lap at 21 last season. The odds of Murphy getting to 28 are much steeper, but there’s at least one inexplicable faller each year. The Sixers should pray it’s Murphy.
Again, size in the second unit was a problem for Philadelphia. The Sixers would benefit from Murphy’s 3-and-D skill set, not to mention the positional versatility that comes with his 6-foot-9 frame. Murphy is one of the best shooters on the board, and one of the best defenders. He can switch onto the perimeter, battle in the post, or play free safety. He’s active, aware, and long, boasting a 7-foot-1 wingspan.
For much of this season, Murphy was an afterthought. It’s a surprise teams didn’t crack the code sooner. He is such a clean fit in the modern NBA, with multi-positional upside and day-one value as a spacer, that’s it’s remarkable to think just how recently the Murphy frenzy began.
Philadelphia does not have the assets or the motivation to trade up, so frankly, of the names on this list, Murphy is probably the one you should pay the least attention to. It’s hard to fathom the other 29 GMs letting him get to 28. Murphy is a hand-in-glove fit on just about every roster, and he comes from a great program at Virginia. This would require luck on Philadelphia’s part, but hey, crazier things have happened.
PROJECTED DRAFT RANGE: 10-30
BIG BOARD RANKING: 13