Sixers at NBA Draft Combine

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

(The group above looks like a knock-off version of the Space Jam stars who had their powers stolen. The Sixers interviewed two of these guys this week.)

The NBA draft combine is trending towards the overweight monstrosity that its NFL counterpart has become. With its anthropomorphic measurements, televised 5-on-5 workouts, and growing media circus, it’s easy to forget that NBA decision-makers already have at least one season worth of film on these players with which to make their evaluations. Yet, as we’ve seen in football, the more money that flows into the game, the higher stakes that exist when it comes to these draft picks for each franchise, so expect players to be examined with even more of a fine-tooth comb going forward.

Still, one can begin to form a clearer picture about where a team might be leaning with its decision, particularly in which players they take a look at while at the combine. Here is (to my knowledge) the full list of players the Sixers have been connected to with either interviews conducted or workouts scheduled.

Point Guards

Kris Dunn, Melo Trimble, Gary Payton II, Anthony Barber, Wade Baldwin IV, Tyler Ulis, Demetrius Jackson

Wings

Brandon Ingram, Buddy Hield, Josh Hart, Michael Gbinije, Jaron Blossomgame, Malachi Richardson, Malik Beasley, DeAndre Bembry, Dedric Lawson, Dorian Finney-Smith

Forwards

Kyle Wiltjer, Skal Labissiere, Joel Bolomboy

First off, Player of the Year Buddy Hield is not interested in talking to the media.

Buddy Hield was stopped & asked how did his #Sixers interview go. His response: "Why do you have ask me questions?" And briskly walked away.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) May 12, 2016

Not the greatest look, Buddy.

More importantly though, the biggest takeaway here is that Sixers management is well aware of the glut of big men on the roster, and focusing almost solely on filling out the rest of the roster through the draft. The team is particularly leaving no stone unturned among point guards, which makes a ton of sense considering the Sixers do not have a single point guard currently on a guaranteed contract for the upcoming season.

Also of note, one of the few wings the Sixers did not request to interview was Jaylen Brown, so don’t expect his name to be called next month when the Sixers are on the clock with their one (or two) top-5 pick(s).

With the shift from Sam Hinkie to Bryan Colangelo, a lot has been made about shifting from a best player available approach, to filling out a balanced roster. Fortunately for the Sixers, the strengths of this draft are among guards and wings anyway, so the two things coincide more than they might in a typical year. We’ll be able to talk more about which players the team should target at the top of the draft following Tuesday night’s draft lottery.