Breaking Down Philadelphia 76ers Options With First Pick

Nothing is concrete when referring to the Philadelphia 76ers and how their organization runs. General Manager Sam Hinkie likes it that way and has prognosticators flailing to gauge what the team will do Thursday in the 2015 NBA Draft.

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A year after constant misdirection with rumors regarding trading up for Andrew Wiggins and drafting Dante Exum after Joel Embiid‘s foot injury, the theme has remained a constant heading into the highly anticipated spectacle. A wide array of people here in Philadelphia believed Wiggins would be the savior and apple in Hinkie’s eye. Offers, reported coming from the team, turned out to be false as the Sixers stayed at No. 3 and took the volatile big man.

The risk could warrant the massive reward tied to Embiid, but the wait was strenuous. Head Coach Brett Brown anticipated more to work with in his second year:

Dario Saric, on Wednesday, was reported to play another season overseas for Anadolu Efes and will not suit up for the Sixers this season per his agent Jeff Schwartz via Chad Ford.

Far from left field, many expected the Croation sensation to wait out his rookie contract and previous reports had him entitled to wait two years before joining the Sixers. On the heels of conflicting reports on Embiid’s possible setback, this week was a nightmare for the impatient masses.

Saric wasn’t expected to jump on board the rebuild after one year, Embiid was. His inevitable arrival and glimpses of brilliance through captivating workouts had fans giddy for a pairing with Noel this season. While the extent of his injury will be determined in a couple of weeks, his flair up might factor into the Sixers long term plans and what they do with their first pick.

Two players are tied to Embiid’s health as possible options with the third overall pick. One of them might seem like an erroneous fit with the foundation of players already assembled, but he possesses a skill set foolish to pass up at pick No. 3.

Jahlil Okafor had been written off as an option the Sixers could and should target, but the Embiid reports have to have management concerned. The Duke product has been an elite talent from his billing as a potential candidate to be picked first since last July.

While the Chicago native has slipped from his perch and presents a questionable fit, that shouldn’t deter Hinkie from taking Okafor if he believes ‘Jah’ is the best player on the board. Embiid could be out for months or possibly the whole season, but Okafor’s style of play isn’t detrimental. In fact it’s beneficial.

Pairing with Noel, who has at times started at the four, he’d give the Sixers a post option to go to consistently. His blend of moves featuring immaculate footwork, adept handwork and control, and feathery touch can immediately transcend a limited offense in the frontcourt.

Okafor going No. 3 isn’t as far-fetched as once anticipated. If Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell are off the board, he’s a realistic play for Philly who might value his considerable floor and safety over Kristaps Porzingis’ or Emmanuel Mudiay’s ceiling.

Porzingis has catapulted into the top-three consideration over the past couple of weeks and Philadelphia’s uncertainty in the frontcourt could have the team drafting the Latvian prototype. While the Sixers find team fit irrelevant, Porzingis could flawlessly pair with Noel and stretch the floor at either the four or the five.

The redundancy of bigs could enrage fans who want an immediate fit, but Philadelphia values eventual gains. The Sixers interest in Porzingis also might just be a smokescreen for another team to trade up for the 7’1″ behemoth. Prozingis seems to be on the Magic’s radar heading into the draft.

If the Sixers were to trade down, they’d have to convince the Magic to take another international stud. Emmanuel Mudiay, who already has received significant interest from the Sixers, is a possible target in a trade back scenario to collect an additional asset.

Now we’re getting to an immaculate fit in referring to the elite guards of the draft. While Ish Smith might have propelled the Sixers production late in the season, Mudiay offers a more refined  skill set in a 6’5, 200 pound frame.

You just don’t find prospects built like Mudiay often in the draft who can combine their ideal build with elaborate tools. He is a force on the break and can create offense in half court sets. His universal main flaw is shooting, but that’s a trait Philadelphia looks over when evaluating talent.

They molded Jerami Grant into an emerging marksman. Mudiay, in Philadelphia, would have an extensive chance to find his stroke and wouldn’t be rushed to develop his traits in a rebuilding season. He was billed to be selected by Philadelphia up until the team remained in the No. 3 position.

His stock fell off due to concerns of his shooting ability and immediate fit with organizations. In Philadelphia, he’d be a perfect complement to the bigs in the frontcourt whether the team selects him or trades back for the hyper-athletic floor general.

Speaking of perfect complements, it doesn’t get more complementary to fit immediate needs than D’Angelo Russell. The combo guard offers multi-positional value and transitioned to the point midway through his freshman season at Ohio State.

Averaging nearly 20-5-5 as a freshman, the numbers could carry over to the professional level with Russell being one of the premier passers and rebounders at the point. His scoring ability, tying in his questionable athleticism, could be a factor that sways the organization to Mudiay.

Russell might be a mismatch around the perimeter, but if he can’t consistently beat his man off the dribble, his game becomes more predictable. His potential to transform his body to compliment his enticing skill set seems likely due to his moxie and belief to be the best player in this year’s class.

He is who the fans want, a SportsCenter anchor wants, and would be an instant fan favorite over his predecessors. Previously, getting a high IQ point guard who could feature both bigs would be vital in progression. Now, the theme remains the same just without Embiid possibly for a portion of the upcoming season. His implementation of the twin towers – and the other Sixers in the rotation – is exemplified in a recent article from Sam Vecenie of cbssports.com:

"Russell would pretty much be everything the Sixers need. He’s a terrific pick-and-roll point guard that can make shots from distance and really make plays for others. He’d not only help them with his own talent on the perimeter, but he’d also foster the development of the rest of their roster. If he’s there at No. 3, the team should think long and hard about selecting him."

The possible pairing seems ideal for both parties. Russell would get the chance to play heavy minutes as the focal point of Philadelphia’s attack and he’d be a front runner for Rookie of the Year due to the massive production. The possibility in seeing Russell being selected third is higher than having Okafor drop or Porzingis being reached for. He fills both a need at the point and is the best player available on the board if Towns and Okafor go one and two.

Hinkie might throw a serious eephus and take Mudiay or Mario Hezonja while valuing their considerable ceiling, but Russell or Okafor seem to be their primary options if they fall to No. 3. It’s just a guess, but we’ll see who’s their selection Thursday night.

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