After another second round playoff exit, the Philadelphia 76ers have a lot of work to do this offseason. Daryl Morey is a notoriously ambitious GM, and the Sixers are in win-now mode for as long as Joel Embiid anchors the frontcourt.
With plenty of moves to be made, it comes as no surprise that Philadelphia may move the 28th overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. According to Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice, there is a “very good chance” the Sixers’ first-round pick gets traded for veteran talent or more future assets.
The logic is simple. Philadelphia either gets another immediate contributor, or puts more bullets in the chamber for a potential blockbuster trade further down the line. It’s unlikely that the 28th pick contributes much next season, with Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe, and Paul Reed all in line for more opportunities.
The Sixers are considered likely to trade the 28th overall pick. Is that the correct move?
Of course, there are prospects worthy of consideration in range of the 28th pick. We have discussed various options at multiple positions. Perimeter depth remains a point of weakness, and the end of the first round is saturated with intriguing, multi-dimensional guard prospects. It would behoove the Sixers to act patiently, even if trading the pick is ultimately the right mindset for a contender like Philadelphia.
As Neubeck mentions, this is a similar situation to last season, when there were rumblings of potential trades involving the 21st pick. Ultimately, Maxey fell and the Sixers considered him too good to pass up, therefore keeping the pick. It’s not impossible for another high-level prospect to slip further than he should. Or, a trade could simply not materialize. Do not rule out the 28th pick yet.
For now, the Sixers will certainly do their homework. Morey is nothing if not prepared. If a trade does occur, it will occur with the intent of bolstering a future trade, or getting the Sixers another rotation piece. There is never a shortage of useful veterans on non-contending teams.
Any talks related to the 28th pick are unrelated to the ongoing Ben Simmons saga, per Neubeck. The Sixers are listening to offers for the three-time All-Star, but have not yet received anything of substance. It would appear “Buddy Hield and picks” does not get it done, folks.