Well it was another crazy night at the Draft for the Sixers and it was disappointing to many of us. D’Angelo Russell was the guy all along for the Sixers to take with the 3rd Overall pick. In fact, it would be a let down if that didn’t happen. The Timberwolves took Karl-Anthony Towns with the first overall pick and the Lakers were up next with the second pick. Last week it almost certain that the Lakers would take Duke big man Jahlil Okafor and that would leave the Sixers with the chance to take Russell. At approximately 8 o’clock on Thursday, June 25th, the Lakers shocked the world and took D’Angelo Russell with the second pick. Well, it didn’t quite shock the world but it was big enough to shock the whole city of Philadelphia. Many questions were circulating in Philly, who are we going to pick? Will we trade the pick?
3rd Overall Pick
The Sixers ended up taking Duke center Jahlil Okafor with the third selection. Many people think he will be the best player in the draft, but how will he fit in with Noel and Embiid (whenever he comes back)? So now we have taken three centers in the last 3 Drafts…Just trust the process, right?
35th Overall Pick
There were plenty of rumors flying around that the Sixers would trade to move back into the first round but that never happened. 76ers started with their plethora of picks by drafting Guillermo Hernangomez out of Spain. He is another center, but the team traded him to the Knicks for two future second round picks, so no need to freak out just yet.
37th Overall Pick
Philly took another big man (sigh) as the drafted Richaun Holmes out of Bowling Green. Homes is 6-foot-9 and averaged 14.7 points per game last season. He is a strong, athletic big man who plays in the post (which we need so desperately..). Holmes will play in the D-League to try and earn a spot on the roster.
47th Overall Pick
Hinkie pulled the trigger on another overseas prospect as the selected Arturas Gudaitis, who is another center (!!!). I assume he will be another draft and stash guy as the Sixers seem to like those kid of picks.
58th Overall Pick
Sixers FINALLY draft someone who doesn’t play center as the took former Tarheel J.P. Tokoto. Tokoto plays mostly guard but is listed as a small forward. I did a Mock Draft for the Sixers a few weeks ago and actually had them taking Tokoto in the draft. No one knows if he will make the roster but at least he’s not a big man…
60th Overall Pick
With the last pick in the draft, the Sixers took Small Forward Luka Mitrovic out of Serbia. Another overseas experiment that might take three years to pan out.
Overall, I can’t really complain with how the 76ers did in the Draft. Of course I’m upset at not being able to get Russell but Okafor could really be an NBA superstar and I fully expect him to be Rookie of the Year. You can definitely question some of the moves made by GM Sam Hinkie, but all we can do is Trust the Process.
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