Philadelphia 76ers: 5 options for pick No. 3 in 2017 NBA Draft

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Mar 16, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) reacts during the second half against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State

Jonathan Isaac is the dream prospect for the modern NBA. At 6-foot-10, he can handle the ball, shoot, guard multiple positions and provide weakside rim protection. Like Josh Jackson, if added to the Sixers he could take their defensive potential from good to great.

The key question here is fit. Simmons and Dario Saric will primarily get the majority of minutes at the 4, and one of them may even get some time at the 3 so they can share the court. Robert Covington is another player who likely needs to be at small or power forward.

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Though Isaac may eventually be able to play some small-ball center, that won’t be for some time. And even then, Philadelphia just got out of one logjam up front, why beckon a second?

One possible line of thinking could be that Isaac is seven years younger than Covington. Isaac could be a super bench player to start and then eventually take over a starting spot. Saric could be moved to the bench and Isaac and Simmons could be an interchangeable frontline. That’s a pretty terrifying combo if Embiid stays healthy and Isaac’s jump shot improves.

Isaac made a respectable 41 percent of his two-point jumpers and his 78 percent from the charity stripe is a good sign for long-term shooting ability. If he can add any type of dribble game or passing, he’s going to be one of the most valuable players in the NBA. He’s not a perfect fit for the Sixers, more of a long-term vision, but a fascinating one all the same.

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