Philadelphia 76ers: 5 options for pick No. 24 in 2019 NBA Draft
By Derek Hryn
2. Brandon Clarke
Brandon Clarke would be the best prospect on the board if he somehow lasts through the first 23 picks of the draft. Coming in with a sterling college hoops resume, Clarke is capable of providing quality minutes for any of the teams set to make a selection in the first round.
The junior forward was arguably Gonzaga’s most complete performer during their Elite Eight run this past season, averaging 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He was also a menace on the defensive end with 3.2 blocks per contest.
Clarke lacks shooting competence from beyond the paint, a blemish that has hindered his draft stock due to its growing prominence among NBA forwards and bigs. Still, his versatility at 6’8″ and 215 pounds gives reason to believe he can overcome that hurdle early on.
The Sixers need another tenacious rebounder and defender in the frontcourt next to Joel Embiid. If Brett Brown ever wanted to go with a small-ball lineup as he did frequently in 2018, then he wouldn’t have the same malfunctions with Clarke at his disposal — though it might be a bit of a long shot for him to last past the top 10 selections.