What They’re Saying: Sixers Mock Draft Review
With a couple days left until the draft, these are some of the most volatile days of the NBA calendar year. There are trade rumors, potential smoke screens, risers and fallers that could all completely alter the state of the draft. During times like these, we have no choice but to turn to the national experts to get a sense of what’s going on in the draft.
After months of painstaking planing and preparations, NBA draft experts are beginning to put the finishing touches on their final mock drafts and taking everything into consideration. As of right now, here’s who the experts believe the 76ers will select with the 24th overall pick and how they fit with the team:
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony
Selection: Matisse Thybulle F, Washington
Here’s what they had to say about the pick:
The Sixers are flush with creators and scoring at every position, but they could stand to add some defensive versatility on the wing. A player such as Thybulle, arguably the best perimeter defender in college basketball, could fit well, especially since he is a willing ball mover who will have no issue deferring to the team’s plethora of stars. Add the fact that he is a senior — and thus more in line with the Sixers’ timetable — and he makes a lot of sense.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman
Selection: Grant Williams F, Tennessee
Here’s what he had to say about the pick:
Williams may have lost some supporters at the combine when he struggled to make shots against second-round prospects during scrimmages. However, one team is bound to be sold on his intangibles, skill level from the post as a scorer or passer and excellent defensive instincts.
CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish
Selection: Luguentz Dort G, Arizona State
Here’s what they had to say about the pick:
Dort became just the third consensus top-50 high school prospect to enroll at Arizona State — joining a list that includes James Harden and Jahii Carson — and he was a big reason why the Sun Devils made the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year under Bobby Hurley. The 6-4 freshman from Montreal averaged 16.1 points and got to the free-throw line 6.1 times per game. He has a 6-9 wingspan and real desire to guard both quicker and bigger players. His 222-pound frame is rock-solid. And although Dort is not a natural point guard, he did spend part of this season proving he can play on or off the ball, which helped him with scouts.
Rotoworld’s Raphielle Johnson
Selection: Keldon Johnson G, Kentucky
Here’s what they had to say about the pick:
It’s possible that Johnson goes a little higher than this come draft night, with there likely to be a run on shooting guards/wings in the middle of the first round. He’s a competitor on both ends of the floor, as he did well in individual matchups defensively while also showing off the ability to hit perimeter shots. Johnson isn’t the best at creating for himself off the dribble, but in Philadelphia that shouldn’t be a major issue with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid being the priorities on offense. With regards to the 76ers free agency will have a major impact on the makeup of this team next season, as Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and JJ Redick will all hit the market on June 30.
SB Nation’s Ridiculous Upside
Selection: Trade back with the Phoenix Suns, Sixers receive 32nd overall pick and the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2020 first round pick.
Here’s what they had to say:
After Matisse Thybulle was taken by the Cavaliers at 21st overall, the Sixers saw their targeted player pool shrink down to “guys we like” without any “guys we love.” Furthermore, of these players we like, we feel very confident that quite a few of them will be available when our handful of 2nd round picks hit the clock. Trading back while landing an (albeit likely late) 1st round pick was a no-brainer given the lack of certainty we previously had that we would even have an opportunity to draft in 2020’s 1st round.
CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone
Selection: Ty Jerome G, Virginia
Here what they had to say about the pick:
Philadelphia needs to add shooters to its roster who can allow them to space the floor and give Ben Simmons driving lanes. Jerome rated in the 99th percentile last season as a spot-up shooter, and he’s a high IQ ball-handler who could wear a number of hats for them.
Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo
Selection: Matisse Thybulle F, Washington
Here’s what they had to say:
With strong instincts for forcing turnovers and athletic gifts that could make him immediately impactful on that side of the ball, Thybulle is a worthy option in this range. If a team can develop his catch-and-shoot game and help him become a passable offensive player, he feels like a no-brainer rotation guy at worst, and seems like a natural choice here. The franchise’s hope is that they can retain Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris, although it’s possible both players walk. Thybulle makes some sense regardless.
Walter Football’s David Kay
Selection: Grant Williams F, Tennessee
Here what they had to say about the pick:
The Sixers face the possibility of losing Jimmy Butler and/or Tobias Harris to free agency, so they would be wise to find a versatile forward. Williams is really an undersized four, but he has shown the ability to step out and knock down shots while using his physicality inside.
NJ.com’s Zack Rosenblatt
Selection: Grant Williams F, Tennessee
Here’s what they had to say about the pick:
The Sixers learned the hard way what happens in the postseason without a playable backup for Joel Embiid. Williams isn’t a perfect Embiid backup since he’s only 6-7, but he’s an ideal fit as a small-ball five and can do a little bit of everything. He’d be able to play both alongside Embiid and in place of him.
