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Philadelphia 76ers: A look back at NBA draft history before 2018

By Jerran Anderson

Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images /
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The Philadelphia 76ers have the 10th in the 2018 NBA Draft and five picks overall. To get a sense of what to expect, here’s a look at their draft history.

The Philadelphia 76ers have six selections in the 2018 NBA Draft. It’s been a testament to a process that took them as far as the Eastern Conference semifinals in postseason play. The team finished with a 52-30 record, its best finish since 1985-86. Now, the Sixers will look to add to it in the 2018 NBA Draft.

It remains to be seen if the Sixers keep all six draft picks. The 10th pick is one that could add more of a punch to their young core of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz. With unrestricted free agents waiting in the wings, it’s pertinent they use this pick to their advantage.

Philadelphia also has the 26th pick, the 38th pick, 39th pick and 60th pick in the draft. Some picks could be traded by the end of the night, but with the amount of talent in this year’s class, the Sixers’ first two selections could become solid contributors before it’s all said and done.

Past selections at the 10th spot have been rare for the Philadelphia 76ers. They’ve selected 10th just twice in franchise history. Point guard Elfrid Payton is their most recent pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, but Payton never became an official member of the Sixers as he was traded on draft night to the Orlando Magic in the deal that brought Dario Saric to Philly.

The other was combo guard Leon Wood back in the 1984 NBA Draft. Wood averaged 4.1 points and 1.8 assists per game in 67 games for the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Washington Bullets.

In terms of overall history, it helps that Philadelphia has but a few holes to fill on their roster. They aren’t exactly where they want to be defensively, but that’s where this year’s draft comes into play.

The 10th pick isn’t exactly a bad spot to be in from a historical standpoint. Here are some former 10th picks in the draft:

While the list generates a mixed bag, Silas, Westphal, Grant, Pierce, Terry, Bynum and Butler all have one thing in common: championship rings. They were key players for their respective clubs, with Pierce most notably being a part of the Big 3 back when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were members of the Boston Celtics.

Still, recent 10th selections haven’t panned out quite yet in previous drafts, so attention must be paid to development. Zach Collins (2017), Thon Maker (2016) and Justise WInslow (2015) are still attempting to find their stride in the league.

It may not yield them a franchise cornerpiece, but the 10th pick puts the Sixers in a spot to select a solid role player. Considering those odds, the Philadelphia 76ers have an opportunity to strike it big in this year’s NBA Draft with the 10th pick.

As far as the 26th pick is concerned, the Sixers have picked at this position twice in franchise history as well. They have had a bit of success with frontcourt players at this spot, selecting Samuel Dalembert (2001) and Furkan Korkmaz (2016).

Dalembert averaged 8.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in eight seasons with Philadelphia. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings in June 2010 for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni, so he did have some slight value in the frontcourt. Korkmaz is still a member of the Sixers. He appeared in 14 games last season, though very sparingly.

In the past, a few 26th overall picks have turned in solid NBA careers:

The list is absent of any franchise players, so it will be interesting to see how Philadelphia approaches this pick. They’ve got a few picks stashed, but the draft-and-stash route could be another way to go.

The last four selections should be taken with a similar approach. Prospects and projects will probably be the approach with the 38th, 39th and 60th pick, or Philadelphia could end up trading the picks for something better.

At No. 38, the Sixers have selected twice: Kyrylo Fesenko (2007) and Lou Skurcenski (1964). Notable picks at this spot include Jordan Bell (2017), Patrick McCaw (2016), Spencer Dinwiddie (2014), Chandler Parsons (2011) and Steve Blake (2003).

Philly has selected at No. 39 four times in franchise history: Jawun Evans (2017), Jerami Grant (2014), Vincent Askew (1987) and Jimmie Baker (1975). Notable players drafted from this spot include Khris Middleton in 2012, Jonas Jerebko in 2009 and Earl Watson in 2001.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Doncic still No. 1 in post-lottery edition

Finally, the Sixers have only used the final pick in the draft once, on Luka Mitrovic in 2015. The only player drafted here to find success in the NBA recently is Isaiah Thomas (2011).

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