The NBA Draft is quietly a week away on Nov. 18th, and the offseason will be in full swing not long after. The Sixers have five picks overall: 21, 34, 36, 49 & 58. While smart money has Daryl Morey trading most, if not all of them, he will have a few appealing options on the table in the first round if he decides to stay put.
Needs: Backup PG/Pick-&-Roll playmaker, 3-and-D wings, basically anyone who can shoot or get a bucket.
Josh Green, Wing, Arizona (Fr.)
Ht: 6’6” Wing: 6’10” Wt: 210lbs Age: 19
The skinny:
3-and-D/slasher—more league-ready than his age suggests. Will need to grow into his body more; limited to above-average potential. Lack of volume gives me pause, but he finished the season strong (46% on 3.4 threes per36).
Strengths:
League-ready spot-up shooter, good touch, consistent release (1.2 points per possession); his pull-up and off-screen shooting is raw, but the foundation is obviously there. Instinctive slasher, good floater. Good not great athlete who pairs size, energy, and quick, sound footwork to play strong on-ball defense. His physical profile gives him the versatility to switch on the perimeter between guards and big wings, and he’s a smart help defender who won’t have trouble stepping into NBA team defensive concepts on day one.
Weaknesses:
Won’t finish around the rim at a high-rate; doesn’t have the handle/elite athleticism to win off the dribble consistently or create for himself. Despite an excellent overall feel for the game, he doesn’t have any playmaking potential whatsoever because of the above reasons.
Fit with the Sixers:
Any time you hear 3-and-D you can assume that player is on Morey’s radar, and Green certainly qualifies as that. He wouldn’t have the instant impact on defense like Thybulle, nor does he necessarily have that defensive ceiling, but he’ll be a strong wing defender with projectable spot-up shooting—sign me up. (Plus, he’s an Aussie!)
Jaden McDaniels, Wing, Washington (Fr.)
Ht: 6’9” Wing: 6’11” Wt: 200lbs Age: 19
The skinny:
Long athletic wing with elite shooting potential and an appealing scoring package—the classic heralded prospect out of HS who mostly disappointed in college. His size, elite shooting potential, and skill will be hard to pass up, but obvious flaws are hard to ignore.
Strengths:
You can’t teach length, athleticism, or a natural shooting feel, and McDaniels has all three in spades. Very fluid all-around shooter who can contribute off-screen, spot-up, or as a movement shooter, but his pull-up (off-dribble) game is what has scouts drooling. His shot is tough to block (high, quick release) and he’s skilled enough with the ball in his hands to shake space, find an angle, and rise up from almost anywhere. He can go left or right with an array of side-step and step-back moves to get his shot whenever he wants.
Weaknesses:
Skinny as hell, will consistently be pushed off his spot early in his career, and will be exposed early on defense. His potential as a small-ball four is completely kneecapped by his being a twig, at least for now. He’s also an erratic decision-maker, which limits a profile that otherwise lends itself to easy playmaking opportunities. If he adds muscle, tightens his handle, and develops as a passer he could truly be the only complete offensive players in the class—but for now that’s more wishful thinking than a reasonable projection.
Fit with the Sixers:
McDaniels would help satisfy the need for shooting and iso-scoring, but his overall game and body both have a long way to go before he realizes anything close to his potential. While the offensive package fits well in a perfect world, there‘s too many other concerns (size, defense) that’ll keep him from consistent minutes right away. If Morey looks for a lottery-ticket then McDaniels is definitely the guy, but if he doesn’t trade the pick he’ll probably opt for someone more league-ready.
Desmond Bane, Guard, TCU (Sr.)
Ht: 6’6” Wing: 6’5” Wt: 215lbs Age: 22
The skinny:
Bane has been mocked to every single “contender” throughout the entire pre-Draft process because of his projectable shot, NBA-readiness, and obvious profile as a role player. A high IQ, decent size, and quick feet/hands make up for his average athleticism.
Strengths:
Provides immediate spacing (213/496, 43.2% from three over the last three seasons) his range extends well beyond the three-point line; thrives running off-screens and is a confident spot-up shooter. While his pull-up game won’t dazzle (lacks the spring/bounce) he’s perfectly comfortable in this regard. Really efficient pick-and-roll player, but needs to improve his handle to make this a key part of his game as a pro. Despite lacking athleticism he finishes well around the rim with both hands.
Weaknesses:
Just an average athlete without a strong handle. While his defense is considered a strength, he’ll be exposed at times on-ball by more athletic wings. His shot goes in (43% from three) but his unorthodox mechanics, albeit smooth, cast some doubt on his ability to connect at a high-rate as a pro.
Fit with the Sixers:
Considering he isn’t necessarily a secondary ball-handler, he won’t consistently threaten as a slasher, or he won’t be a primary defender, it’s a little hard to justify this pick at 21—which is why I think his market will eventually correct back to the late first, early second round where he was initially graded—but he’s such an obvious fit as a high-floor, low-ceiling role player that teams in this range won’t be able to pass him up, including the shooting-starved Sixers.
Cole Anthony, Guard, North Carolina (Fr.)
Ht: 6’3” Wing: 6’4” Wt: 190lbs Age: 20
The skinny:
Score-first, bouncy PG with a solid shooting stroke. Not a true “point” in the sense that he doesn’t get others involved, but is too undersized to play the two. A spark plug early with the ability to score at the rim, shoot off the bounce, and threaten off-ball.
Strengths:
Great athlete who plays with a ton of energy. Quick feet and advanced handling allows him to easily break down defenses; and strength, body control, and touch allows him to finish around the rim with both hands. His ability to shoot off the dribble with an array of step-backs, paired with his ability to move off-ball, shoot off-screens, and spot-up make him the perfect off-ball PG. Dogged POA defender who can keep his man in-front with quickness and strength.
Weaknesses:
Not unlike a lot of players with his scoring package, Anthony needs to improve his shot selection. His inability to be a true playmaker, and thus real PG, limits his value a ton. While his on-ball defense will be strong against players his size, he will undoubtedly be targeted on switches by bigger wings (at least early in his career). All of this makes for limited upside despite obvious scoring traits.
Fit with the Sixers:
His fit as an off-ball PG next to Ben Simmons should be so obvious I shouldn’t even need to spell it out. He’s an instinctive off-ball mover who can knock down threes at a high-clip, while also capable of leading an offense for short bursts and getting a shot in a moment’s notice. Given a lack of size and playmaking for others (tough combination for a PG in today’s game) many teams will pass on Cole in the late lottery. If he falls to 21 the Sixers would likely end that slide.
Malachi Flynn, Guard, San Diego St. (Jr.)
Ht: 6’1” Wing: 6’3” Wt: 185lbs Age: 22
The skinny:
League-ready pick-and-roll ball-handler with a jumper to complement. He makes up for a lack of size and athleticism with an advanced feel for the game, tough mindset, and a constant motor. Lacks defensive versatility or elite potential, but fills a very projectable role.
Strengths:
High IQ, good instincts, and loves the game. Polished ball-handler and decision-maker. Ability to pull-up off the dribble or shoot off the catch. Strong on-ball defense, alert help defender. All around very buttoned-up basketball player.
Weaknesses:
Small, not particularly strong, average athleticism limits him in almost every way. Might struggle to finish in the lane at the pro level, limiting his P&R prowess, and will need space to get his shot off. Not much of a ceiling, though his floor feels high.
Fit with the Sixers:
This isn’t a player Morey is typically attracted to—lacking athlete, no single elite skill, no potential—but his ability to operate the pick-and-roll is for real. The Sixers need to pair Embiid with a polished P&R playmaker, and while he isn’t the sexiest option on the board, he would definitely satisfy that need. His ability to play off Ben as an off-ball shooter is attractive as well, but positives aside his limitations are unavoidable.