Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: 5 Teams That Desperately Need The No. 1 Pick

By Colby Giacubeno

Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) smiles as he looks on against the Florida Gators during the first half at Stephen C. O
Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) smiles as he looks on against the Florida Gators during the first half at Stephen C. O /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
December 30, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (left) instructs guard Ish Smith (1) against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The 76ers defeated the Kings 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 30, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (left) instructs guard Ish Smith (1) against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The 76ers defeated the Kings 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 Philadelphia 76ers

So imagine “The Process” that the Philadelphia 76ers’ front office has been committed to the past three seasons finally paying off by winning the No. 1 pick once they show signs of being done with it. Ironic, right?

It would fit the Sixers though, because nothing really has made sense since they have taken the stance of tanking each season in hopes to win the No. 1 pick in the draft.

More from Hoops Habit

In December, Jerry Colangelo was brought in to overtake the chairman of basketball operations role and pretty much help the team become somewhat competitive rather than just putting a D-League team on the floor as GM Sam Hinkie has done in the past. A few days following that announcement, Mike D’Antoni was brought on board as the associate head coach to work under head coach Brett Brown.

It is expected that the two will help as much as they can this season with developing a culture by supplying the young players with a veteran presence in the locker room. They will also guide Brown and Hinkie in teaching them how to create and develop a successful franchise in the NBA.

If the Sixers happen to win the No. 1 pick, the future would all of a sudden not look so bad in Philadelphia. Instead of drafting another true big man with their first-round pick as they did the past three drafts, Simmons would add the playmaking ability the Sixers need more than any other team in the NBA.

More hoops habit: Every NBA Team's Best Bargain Contract

The decision would then come down to who to trade between Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid–assuming Embiid comes back healthy from the two foot surgeries he has had to undergo. With Simmons and two of those big men, the paint would be crowded, but using smaller lineups would be in the Sixers’ favor with Simmons at the point-forward position.