February 02, 2017
In the past, we typically haven’t investigated NBA mock drafts until the season ends. But when there is an unusually deep draft class (particularly at guard), I figured it wouldn’t hurt to check in with the draftniks and see who they are mocking to the Sixers.
As a reminder, all of these mock drafts were released on different days so the order is a bit fluid. What isn’t changing is that the Los Angeles Lakers, who owe the Sixers a top-three protected pick, are keeping their draft selection in these mock drafts. You know, because they stink.
To the mocks…
Kentucky's Malik Monk will keep the Philadelphia 76ers intrigued, but they'll have trouble passing on Jonathan Isaac's upside.
The versatile 6'10" forward—who's averaging 16.2 points over Florida State's last five games—would bring ball-handling, scoring and shooting to Philadelphia's wing, as well as another towering ceiling to the roster.
Analysis: A couple of heavy hitters in the mock draft here. This is one of the guys I need to watch more of (Dennis Smith games are up in the queue now), but I like what I have seen. Holy hell, a Sixers frontline of Isaac-Simmons-Embiid would be freaking monstrous. At 6’10”, Isaac is a versatile defender with the rare combination of elite rebounding, block, and steal numbers. And the freshman wing he has been a super-efficient scorer with range out to the three-point line. The one major knock on him is his floor game, which might not matter as much playing next to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Monk is a version of Smith that's been updated for the modern NBA: less dunks and playmaking, but more pull-up threes. That may make him more valuable, and his shooting alone gives him a high floor in the NBA. For a team like Philly, he'd be perfect playing off Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. He can create his own shot, or if Ben Simmons is initiating offense, he'll be able to catch-and-shoot just the same.
Analysis: Not much of a two-way player (he’s a bad defender), I have mixed feelings on Monk. That said, this kid is a ridiculous shooter and not just in an empty gym. The idea of running Monk off screens a la Ray Allen when Simmons and Embiid handle the rest of the offense makes a lot of sense.
Analysis: Don’t see this one as much. Exciting player, total blur in the open floor, but he really struggles to shoot. That has to give every team in the NBA pause, especially a team that needs floor spacers like the Sixers. Fox doesn’t feel like a fit in this draft, especially at 6th.
Analysis: Tall, rangy 18-year-old French kid that unsurprisingly doesn’t get much time playing for a competitive professional team in his country’s top division. Playing against kids his age, he dominated the European U-18 tournament en route to a France victory. Even though he has more trouble getting to the line than you would hope for a 6’5” guy, his shot looked really good:
Add in the fact that Ntilikina has incredible defensive potential (especially in terms of being able to switch 1-4), and he’s a guy that will be very much on the Sixers’ radar.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
