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Philadelphia 76ers: Sixers Should Trade Down In Draft

By Chris Reichert

Jul 23, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie during a press conference at PCOM. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 23, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie during a press conference at PCOM. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) during warmups prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) during warmups prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Philadelphia 76ers are bad, but again it’s by design so at least give them credit for accomplishing their goal heading into this season. Their record of 17-62 has them currently slotted to get the second overall pick in the draft, however they have a 19.9 percent chance of landing the top spot and choosing their next star as well.

As it stands the Sixers wound have the second pick and the 10th pick (from New Orleans; Jrue Holiday trade) in the upcoming NBA draft. There’s a good chance that second lottery pick could be ninth overall as well, because the Pelicans will be without stud Anthony Davis for the remainder of this season and they could finish worse than the current team “ahead” of them — the Cleveland Cavaliers.

I mention all of this, because if you’ve watched any Philadelphia games this season, you are aware that they need as much young talent as they can possibly get. Also, they have a ton of expendable guys on the roster right now — they’ve played a league-high 23 players thus far this season.

So, I presume they might look to package that second lottery pick for more picks to sweeten their draft take.

The Phoenix Suns (as of today) would have picks 14, 17 and 26 in the 2014 NBA Draft. They have been a pleasant surprise all season and they could be looking to move up in the draft to add another nice young piece to their puzzle. Phoenix has a great young nucleus with Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, Gerald Green and Markieff Morris but they are still far from contending for an NBA title.

Here is the deal I would propose here: Phoenix Suns would trade picks No. 14 and No. 17 for Philadelphia’s 10th (or ninth) pick.

I realize that the Sixers would move down four spots, however they pick up an additional first round draft pick in one of the deeper drafts we’ve seen in quite some time. Right now www.draftexpress.com has Tyler Ennis of Syracuse at No. 14 and James Young of Kentucky at No. 17. The Sixers don’t need Ennis but they could possibly nab Gary Harris at No. 14 to fill their shooting guard need and then get James Young or a Rodney Hood if available.

So, instead of getting two lottery picks and being done in the first round, the Sixers could get two lottery picks (the second being a little lower) and then add an additional first round pick. This is a win-win for the Sixers and Suns as the Suns also get to move up and select a player that should be able to step in and help for their immediate future. Keep in mind that the Sixers also have FIVE second round draft picks, so adding another pick would give them eight total picks in this draft.

If general manager Sam Hinkie decides to hold firm with what they have going in, then that wouldn’t be a disaster by any means but I think they have a legitimate chance at adding another first round pick with this deal.

Remember that they are essentially getting a top-five pick already with Nerlens Noel coming back, so in essence they will have three lottery picks next season, plus any others that they can acquire and their gaggle of second rounders.

It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out, but this move is one that adds talent immediately and it’s one that should be considered by the Sixers’ front office.