2017 NBA Draft: How Markelle Fultz would impact every lottery team
By Max Holm
Philadelphia 76ers – 11.9% Chance of Winning Lottery
Before Joel Embiid went down to injury, the Sixers were making a push for the eighth seed and “The Process” was the runaway Rookie of the Year. But Philly fell off a bit after that and never saw Ben Simmons make his debut. Maybe they sat them both for one more tank, maybe they didn’t.
At No. 4 they stand a decent chance of winning the lottery and adding Fultz to one of the best young cores in the league. Also, thanks to Sam Hinkie, the No. 1 pick would belong to Philly via a pick swap should the Sacramento Kings win the lottery.
Getting Fultz would be the perfect draft night for the Sixers, as he’s the perfect complement to Simmons running the point. Fultz could run the second unit and play off the ball when Simmons is on the floor.
The big worry for Philly’s future is health, but if they could get a healthy Embiid and Simmons with Fultz, we might be looking at Oklahoma City 2.0 in the City of Brotherly Love. Even without Fultz, the Sixers might be good enough to push for the playoffs next season. With him, it wouldn’t be crazy to imagine them becoming the next dynasty in the Eastern Conference, barring any injury setbacks of course.