After a longgg wait, the NBA Draft is finally right around the corner.
For several years, the draft was the most important day of the year for the Sixers. This marks the second straight draft where the Sixers won’t be in the lottery, but they did have another massive draft achievement: The Oklahoma City Thunder pick did convey.
By being able to stay in the first round with the 21st overall pick, the Sixers should be able to take a player who can make an immediate impact. Here are three players who, if they’re still on the board, would fit great on the Sixers.
Cole Anthony: Guard, North Carolina
6’3”, 185 pounds, 20 years old
Anthony was once considered possibly a top-five player in this draft, but experts have him falling. If he’s available at 21, it would be hard for the Sixers to pass up on him.
The former Tar Heel had an unfortunate break when he missed nearly eight weeks of his freshman season due to knee surgery. The good news is he seemed to bounce back fine. Anthony was UNC’s best player last year, averaging 18.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 4.0 APG.
He seems to be sliding due to his current lack of elite shooting, the depth of guards in the draft and his injury. The guard has a high upside, though. With plenty of talent and an ability to create on offense, the Sixers could get the steal of the draft if he falls to them.
Saddiq Bey: Forward, Villanova
6’8”, 215 pounds, 21 years old
The local star is going a bit higher in most mock drafts, but Bey would be an excellent fit for Philadelphia if he stays on the board.
Bey is a 3-and-D wing, which the Sixers have needed for years. Also, being coached by Jay Wright for two years means Bey should be ready to contribute to an NBA team right away. This would be beneficial for the Sixers who are in a win-now mode.
Bey’s shooting stats last season were eye opening, scoring 16.1 PPG and a 45.1% 3P%. Imagine the time Simmons would have feeding dimes to Bey, or how much that could help give Embiid space in the paint.
Philadelphia and Villanova fans would go crazy to get this terrific, all-around player on the Sixers.
Tyrell Terry: Guard, Stanford
6’2”, 160 pounds, 20 years old
Terry was a pleasant surprise by blossoming his freshman season, which allowed him to become a one-and-done and enter the draft.
I see some Trey Burke in Terry’s game. Remember Trey Burke? The key backup point guard the Sixers finally got last year? Only to totally underutilize him, cut him, let him sign with the Mavericks and go off in the bubble??
All ranting aside, Terry is excellent with the ball in his hands. He thrived last year at creating his own shot. He could be used a lot in a pick-and-roll offense. If he gets left open, Terry has the skill to hit pull-up jumpers off of on-ball screens, something that the Sixers haven’t been able to do well in recent years.
With a FG% at 44.1% and a 3P% and 40.8% last year at Stanford, Terry could turn into a nice backup point guard in Philly.
