The NBA Draft is under a month away, which means NBA Draftmas is back. Each day, The Game Haus will review a team’s past season, their team needs and targets. We will continue with the team that has the No. 10 overall pick, the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Philadelphia 76ers may have been the most surprising team in the NBA this season. After winning just 28 games last season, the 76ers won 52 games, including a franchise record 17 straight. Philly also enjoyed its first postseason appearance since the 2011-12 season. The Process appears to be ahead of schedule.
Ben Simmons impressed in his rookie campaign, averaging 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. he is a favorite by many to win Rookie of the Year. Joel Embiid was also much more healthy this season, playing in 63 games this season. He averaged 22.9 points, 11 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game this season and was also voted an All-Star for the first time in his career. JJ Redick was also a key offseason acquisition as he finished second on the team in points per game with 17.1.
Ben Simmons is a favorite for Rookie of the Year. (Photo by Getty Images)
First overall pick Markelle Fultz, like Simmons and Embiid, struggled with injuries in his first year in the pros. He managed to get action in 14 games this season, but also became the youngest player in NBA history to put up a triple-double. The shoulder injury Fultz suffered really affected his jump shot as well. Hopefully, for the 76ers, Fultz can get a full recovery and his confidence in his shot back.
The 76ers were very impressive as a team. Offensively, they ranked second in assists, seventh in points, eighth in field goal percentage and 10th in 3-point percentage. However, they also showed how young and inexperienced they still are by leading the league in turnovers and allowing the third most points off turnovers. Those numbers must go down if this team expects to have postseason success.
The 76ers were also impressive defensively, ranking first in rebounds, first in opponent field goal percentage, second in opponent 3-point percentage, 11th in opponent points, seventh in steals, ninth in blocks and 15th in forced turnovers.
The 76ers are young and talented. We should be seeing them in the postseason for many more years to come.
First round: No. 10, No. 26
Second round: No. 38, No. 39, No. 56, No. 60
The 76ers have a plethora of picks in this draft with a total of six. They have a lot of opportunity to add to their future in this draft.
What the 76ers need to add in this draft is players who can make good decisions, play good defense, shoot the ball well and stay healthy.
Pick No. 10: Miles Bridges, G/F, Michigan State
Bridges would be a great pickup at No. 10 for Philly. He is a match in almost every area the 76ers need to address.
Bridges brings a lot of versatility. (Photo by Getty Images)
The former Michigan State guard surprised many by sticking around with the Spartans for another season. But Bridges was able to raise his draft stock with another year in the NCAA and more areas of his game.
Bridges is a two-way wing player that shoots the ball well and is smart with the basketball. In his two years at Michigan State, he averaged 17 points on 47 percent shooting with 7.6 rebounds.
Bridges has a great NBA frame at 6-foot-7, 225 pounds. It allows him to play and defend multiple positions on the floor.
Bridges is young and athletic, similar to the rest of this 76ers team. He should fit right in with the 76ers and help continue The Process.
Pick No. 26: Donte DiVincenzo, G, Villanova
DiVincenzo took advantage of the NCAA Tournament to show what he can do. In Villanova’s win over Michigan in the title game, the sophomore put up a team-high and season-high 31 points off the bench.
On the season, DiVincenzo averaged 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He also shot 48.1 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from the 3-point line.
He also showed his athleticism at the combine with the highest standing vertical leap at 34.5 inches while tying for the highest max vertical leap of 42 inches.
DiVincenzo definitely brings a lot to the table and could be the best player available at No. 26 for Philly.
Pick No. 38: Grayson Allen, G, Duke
Allen played a great four years at Duke. Over that time, he averaged 14 points per game on 43 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from behind the arc. His best season came in his sophomore year when he averaged 21.6 points and shot 41.7 percent from three.
Allen impressed at the combine. (Photo by Jessica Hill/AP)
Allen’s role in Duke’s offense shrunk with freshman Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Trent Jr. and Trevon Duval joining the team, but his percentages stayed high and he also had a career high in assists and steals per game.
Allen’s infamous tripping incidents took attention away from his game. It will also cause teams to be curious about his maturity going forward.
Allen also impressed at the combine, with the fastest time in the agility lane drill, second-best shuttle time and sixth best vertical leap. Philly should pull the trigger here if Allen is still available.
Pick No. 39: Jacob Evans, G, Cincinnati
Evans had a solid junior campaign at Cincinnati with 13 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
But what scouts like about Evans is his defense. He was known as one of the top defenders in the AAC and averaged 1.3 steals per game in each of his last two seasons.
He is also smart and patient with the ball and has a nice 3-point shot to him. Evans could be a nice addition in the middle of the second round.
Pick No. 56: Kelan Martin, F, Butler
Martin improved every year at Butler. His senior year was his best yet at 21.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He does a lot of things well on offense and was arguably the Big East’s best scorer. His 6-foot-7, 220-pound frame helps him drive inside and finish. He also has a good mid-range shot to him.
Martin’s defense can still use improvement, but his scoring and rebounding abilities should land him a spot on a roster.
Pick No. 60: Theo Pinson, G/F, North Carolina
Pinson is an excellent defender and has been the Tar Heels’ “glue guy” during his time on the team. At 6-foot-6, Pinson is a bigger guard and is athletic enough to guard multiple positions. Pinson put up a solid all-around senior season with averages of 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
One big weakness is that he does not have a great shot, which hurts his stock in the draft. But he can definitely find a role on an NBA team with his defense and rebounding abilities.
There are a lot of things the 76ers can do with these draft picks, but they should also look to find guys that will help them with their weaknesses.
Miles Bridges should not be passed on at No. 10. He fits almost all the 76ers needs. Donte DiVincenzo also brings a lot to the table and could be a great 3-and-D guard.
Grayson Allen, Jacob Evans, Kelan Martin and Theo Pinson also could develop into key role players down the road. The Process is working as the 76ers are set to become a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference for many years to come.
Be sure to check back tomorrow to read the Charlotte Hornets 2018 NBA Draft profile!
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