NBA

What Does Sixers Getting No. 10 Pick Mean for Team?

The Sixers will draft 10th in the 2018 NBA draft.

The results were announced Tuesday in Chicago, where the Sixers and Celtics learned the destination of the Lakers' first-round selection. The Suns, who had the worst record in the league, landed the first overall pick (see order)

If the Lakers' pick had ended up at Nos. 1 or past 5, it belonged to the Sixers. If it had been Nos. 2 through 5, it would have gone to the Celtics. The Sixers had a 1.1 percent chance for first and 86.98 percent chance for 10th. 

The Sixers acquired this pick in 2015 as part of the Michael Carter-Williams trade. Last summer, they sent it to the Celtics with the aforementioned conditions in the deal to get the No. 1 pick to draft Markelle Fultz. 

This pick essentially is a bonus for the Sixers this year. Their own first-round pick is 26th, the result of having the fifth-best record in the NBA (52-30). They also hold the 38, 39, 56, 60 selections in the second round. 

Who could the Sixers select with the pick? 
Versatility, athleticism and defense are traits of draft prospects that would fit with the Sixers. The team implemented fluid lineups throughout the season, and prospects who are not pigeonholed into one specific role could be incorporated.

Villanova forward Mikal Bridges and Michigan State forward Miles Bridges are two players projected to be available at 10th who could fill those roles. If Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr. were to fall on the draft board, he also could be a match for the Sixers' system. 

But will they keep it?
There is a chance the Sixers do not hold on to this pick. Unlike past years, the Sixers are not drafting a top-three player with the intentions of becoming a cornerstone building block, as was the case with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Fultz. 

The Sixers have their young core in place and any new additions likely would supplement it. Unless, of course, they find a diamond-in-the-rough franchise player. Paul Pierce, Paul George and Joe Johnson are among those previously drafted at No. 10. 

Roster space is at a premium for the Sixers this offseason. They have to determine which of the current players they will re-sign, if Jonah Bolden will enter the NBA, and what to do with their six draft picks. 

The team could select draft-and-stash prospects, like they did last year with Bolden, Anzejs Pasecniks and Mathias Lessort. Or, they could draft and trade players as was the case with Jawun Evans and Sterling Brown. 

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us