The Philadelphia 76ers, sitting with six total wins, are the odds on favorite to win the jackpot and nab LSU forward Ben Simmons in the upcoming NBA Draft. The young Australian has scouts and NBA analysts convinced that his name will be the first called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Simmons’s unique ability has him as a can’t miss prospect and one that the Sixers will select at the top of the draft if the ping pong balls fall in the right places. The NBA Lottery, which is really the next meaningful event on the Sixers calendar, could potentially derail this plan. If that is the case, the Sixers could be in a really tough spot at the either second or third pick.
Simmons could be the guy to make the Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie look like a genius; however if the last two lotteries are any indication, Hinkie had better start looking at alternative options..here are the two next best players the Sixers should go for if the lottery doesn’t end in their favor.. and interestingly enough it’s not the end of the world.
Brandon Ingram (SF)
At the beginning of the college basketball season, the race for the number one pick of the NBA draft was down to three players: the aforementioned Ben Simmons, Kentucky Center Skal Labissiere, and Duke small forward Brandon Ingram. As Labissiere has been a major disappointment, Ingram has steadily progressed throughout the season.
Ingram is terribly lanky at 6’9”, 195 lbs. yet he has some people comparing him to Kevin Durant. The freshman has the rare combination of length (7’3” wingspan) and shooting ability (40% from 3), that could easily convince the Sixers to take him at the number 2 spot. The Duke forward may have the jump shot that holds the most potential in the upcoming draft and in a league where shooting is now paramount, Ingram looks to have a ton of upside. Like Simmons, Ingram can also command a game with his above average vision and passing ability. Furthermore, Ingram has a knack of finishing at the rim, even with his slender stature.
The Sixers desperately need an outside scorer to compliment Jahlil Okafor and Ingram could very well be that guy. There is even a chance that Ingram fits in better with the Sixers than Simmons because Simmons has not quite developed an outside stroke quite yet which could actually hinder Okafor’s development.
Kris Dunn (PG)
Kris Dunn, a point guard out of Providence, has shot up draft boards as the season has progressed. Dunn chose right when he decided to continue onto his junior season and skip the draft last year. He has blossomed into one of the all-around best players in the country. At 6’4”, 220 lbs. Dunn can not only use his strength to get to the basket, he has immense athleticism that allows him to weave through the defenses of the Big East. He also possesses remarkable vision coupled with above average ball handling. Dunn is not without any weaknesses however. The point guard’s jump shot is less than impressive and he has had some major injury issues throughout his time at Providence.
Dunn, like Ingram, would fit in well with the Sixers. He would finally give coach Brett Brown stability at the point guard position. With Dario Saric possibly coming over next year, going for a guard may be the best decision for Hinkie and the Sixers.
photo credit- Mark Dolejs/ USA TODAY Sports
