Clearly the Philadelphia 76ers are creating a new atmosphere, this draft clearly reflected that. The move that many people were stunned with was the 76ers decision on draft night to trade away the team’s starting point guard Jrue Holiday. The new management wants to take the team in a new direction, and that started with trading away Jrue and a second round pick for former Kentucky center Nerlens Noel and a coveted 2014 first round draft pick. Noel has huge potential and can be a centerpiece for the 76ers to build upon.
The 76ers filled the void left by Holiday and drafted Michael Carter-Williams out of Syracuse. Carter- Williams is a big guard with a ton of potential who can really help out the team. Carter-Williams and Noel actually played on the same AAU team, so they will have a ton of chemistry together on the court. The 76ers then selected Arsalan Kazemi the rebounding machine from Iran. Kazemi played at Oregon, and is highly touted as a rebound extraordinaire. Kazamei also has a high basketball IQ and played for the Iranian national team, so he can instantly add some depth to the 76ers frontcourt.
The 76ers made some significant moves Thursday night. They found a big man for the future and add some significant pieces to get this franchise back on the winning track. Noel was a steal dropping that far, and I think the 76ers will be able to build from this draft. The 76ers are sure to go through some growing pains this upcoming year, but the future is much brighter for this team. The 76ers have a plan, and this draft was a great way to help develop this young team.
The 76ers are banking on having two very high picks in next year’s talent heavy draft, to add to a very young and talented squad. The 76ers do have to decide upon the futures of Thad Young and Evan Turner. Turner will be up for an extension soon and Thad Young turns 25 too. The 76ers have to decide whether they are going to keep these guys for the long haul.
You also have to wonder where the 76ers are going to get some scoring from. The loss of Holiday leaves a big gap, so you have to wonder if the 76ers would target some young players in free agency. Overall this draft was Sam Hinkie’s coming out party as the 76ers GM. Hinkie made some extremely bold moves and clearly has a strong plan to get the 76ers back into their winning ways.
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