The Sixers have four second-round draft picks.
If they keep all of them, chances are those players will end up spread throughout their NBA roster, Gatorade League team (formerly known as the Development League) and overseas in draft-and-stash situations.
For now, though, the Sixers are looking to identify the most skilled prospects before determining where they will be next season.
"We're still in a place where we're looking at talent," Sixers vice president of basketball administration and 87ers general manager Brandon Williams said Wednesday.
The Sixers have held two pre-draft workouts at their training complex. So far, they have hosted 12 prospects projected to go in the second round or be undrafted as they eye possible fits for the 36th, 39th, 46th and 50th spots.
Wednesday's workout included Oregon forward Jordan Bell (see story), Indiana center Thomas Bryant (see story), Oregon guard Tyler Dorsey (see story), EB Pau-Orthez (France) guard Elie Okobo, Georgetown guard L.J. Peak and Notre Dame guard Steve Vasturia (see story).
"They're scrappy," Williams said. "There's a lot to prove. [They] played with a lot of energy. A defensive-focused group. Some of the things that we're looking at are just particularly how they might fit as role players, guys that we bring in summer league or camp. I thought [they were] just really competitive overall."
Williams watches these workouts with a unique perspective as GM of the Sixers' Gatorade League team down the road in Delaware. The Sixers tapped into their system toward the end of last season to call up Shawn Long. Before Williams is ready to categorize prospects as G-League players, he wants to evaluate their NBA potential at this point first.
"I like to be really diligent as we think about our second-round picks that some of these guys might have the ability to move the needle first on the NBA level," he said. "But of course, we think we do a good job of developing talent. So some of these folks might wind up in Delaware."
Whomever the Sixers select in the second round will be a work in progress. They found themselves in the same situation when they drafted Richaun Holmes with the 37th pick in 2015. Holmes has improved year after year and made a strong case to be the backup center for next season. This, after spending time at the end of the bench and on D-League assignments.
"We're still looking at that high-end degree to give us the best chance of winning games, but they're going to be some players that we're going to have to develop," Williams said. "They're all young. Whether that happens at all in the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th spot on our roster or in the Development League, the G-League, we're going to have to be really focused that we have the right guys that can develop over time and be fill-ins on our roster."
