The Philadelphia 76ers have another talented draft coming in 2018 in which they have multiple picks, meaning they could go in many different directions this year. The Sixers have the Lakers pick and their own pick. The Lakers, I expect to finish as one of the bottom half top 10 lottery teams. So who should the Sixers be looking out for?
5 star Small forward Kevin Knox is the no.3 player coming out of Florida, the only players ahead of are 5 star center Mitchell Robinson and 5 star point guard Trevon Duval. Duval and Robinson are also expected to leave early for the 2018 NBA draft. Knox is also the 2nd rated small forward and no.11 player to come out the 2017 class. Knox committed to John Calipari and the Kentucky wildcats; at 6-9 206 lbs, Knox averaged 28.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.2 steals and 2 blocks a game for Tampa Catholic high school. Knox shot 50 percent from the field, 35 percent from long range, and 74 percent from the line.
Draft.net has Knox rated no.10 while nbadraftroom.com has him rated no.7. Knox is an explosive scorer who can score in every way on the court. He can damage you even more in transition as he is also a high riser above the rim. The versatile forward has one of the smoothest long range jumpers I’ve seen for a 6-9 player and also has power needed for the position. He can play on the inside and is difficult to guard one-on-one.
The Sixers have Ben Simmons who can move multiple positions but mostly will be between point guard and power forward. With Joel Embiid at center, Markelle Fultz at point guard, and Dario Saric at power forward, if the Sixers drafted Kevin Knox, it adds to the young arsenal already in place. Knox would give the sixers not only a shooter to go with the elite ball handling skills of Ben Simmons, but another potential all-star at the one position they don’t have one. The Sixers could draft Knox with the lottery pick that comes from the Lakers.
Kevin Knox is a “Baby Kevin Durant” who’s stock could even rise further this season. I feel he is still underrated given his top 10 grade. Knox has top 3 talent and there aren’t too many players in the last 3 drafts that have the scoring arsenal Knox has. The Kentucky commit would add a scary player to the already promising future of the sixers. If the sixers take Knox you could possibly be looking at a future line up of Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz in the backcourt with Kevin Knox, Dario Saric, and Joel Embiid. The last 2 drafts I hit a homerun on who I thought the sixers where going to get, this draft my no.1 target is Kevin Knox.
Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
