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Philadelphia 76ers 2015 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

By Jake Hyman

Mar 21, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D'Angelo Russell (0) sits on the bench before the game against the Arizona Wildcats in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D'Angelo Russell (0) sits on the bench before the game against the Arizona Wildcats in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of the Wells Fargo center prior to a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of the Wells Fargo center prior to a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

It might not have been the one-six-11 fans and management prayed for, but the Philadelphia 76ers are in an ideal situation sitting with the No. 3 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. It was a pipe dream anyway.

The goal was to land in the top four picks to secure a player from “Tier One.” It happened, Sam Hinkie was happy with the result, and Nerlens Noel was the most charismatic representative at the lottery. The 2015 NBA Lottery was a desirable result for the organization despite losing out on two potential picks in the top 14.

Hinkie wasn’t the only team personnel or media member that was content with what transpired:

For a team that lives on the draft lottery, getting one of the top picks is paramount in developing the core talent for the Sixers. The 2015 draft offers a deep group of talent and is dominated by two big men and two point guards at the top of the class.

ESPN’s Chad Ford, in a radio interview with Anthony Gargano of 97.5 The Phanatic in Philadelphia, believes that five players are in consideration to hear their name called first come draft night. Both Kentucky PF/C Karl-Anthony Towns and Duke C Jahlil Okafor reside at the top of most team’s big boards offering mismatch potential down low with deep offensive arsenals.

The Timberwolves, who received the first overall pick Tuesday, need a versatile big that can run the floor and be a force in the paint. Towns offers two-way upside at either frontcourt position. However, according to Ford, Minnesota is contemplating both big men:

Whoever doesn’t hear their name called first will likely join a franchise that has seen a bevy of Hall of Fame centers wear the Lakers uniform. Jordan Clarkson‘s rookie season outburst allows L.A. to have confidence at the point heading into next season. Adding either Towns or Okafor illustrates who will carry the franchise when Kobe Bryant ends his illustrious career after next season.

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Luckily for the Sixers, their primary need lies in the backcourt with both Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid encompassing the paint for the foreseeable future. At three, options are aplenty to add another dynamic talent.

With possibly the whole board of backcourt weapons available, Hinkie has the dubious task of selecting the ideal compliment to his twin towers. Nobody outside of the signal caller has a gauge on what Hinkie might do, but the consensus has formulated a possible option. One who brings a swagger and moxie few in the class possess.

Next: From The Ohio State to The City of Brotherly Love