Mock roundup: Is Turner a lock for Sixers?
Will the Sixers draft Ohio State's Evan Turner with the No. 2 pick? Here's a roundup of national opinion and mock draft projections.
We are just one day away from the NBA draft. Will the Sixers take Ohio State's Evan Turner? Here's our final look at who the national "experts" are projecting the Sixers to take, plus other links and updates.
ESPN's Chad Ford has heard from two sources that Evan Turner will be the pick for the Sixers. In his latest mock draft, Ford dismisses any possiblity the Sixers will draft a big.
All of the talk about the Sixers considering going big is now fading. After they worked out Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins on June 18, head coach Doug Collins, who was very high on Favors before the workout, fell out of love. Collins was not only concerned about Favors' raw skills, he also wasn't impressed during the interviews. So at this point I think you can use a Sharpie on Turner at No. 2.
Mike McGraw of Yahoo! Sports understands why the Sixers are bringing in other top prospects for workouts, but he believes Turner will still be the pick:
No one can accuse the Sixers of avoiding their due dilligence. In a span of four days, they brough in Turner, then Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins together, followed by Wesley Johnson. In the meantime, the Sixers traded center Samuel Dalembert to Sacramento for center Spencer Hawes and forward Andres Nocioni. The Sixers actually took on more salary in the deal beacause they were so anxious to unload Dalembert. Is this a sign they're prepared to take Favors or Cousins at No. 2? Maybe, but they did get another center in return. For now, it appears the Sixers are still focused on Turner.
NBC Sports believes that despite the rumors, the Sixers will still take Evan Turner:
Rumors are still swirling that the Sixers might take Derrick Favors with this pick, but I get the sense Doug Collins wants to use Elton Brand at center and Thaddeus Young at power forward. Their biggest hole is at shooting guard, and Turner will step right in and likely start for the Sixers next season - as long as they follow the script and pass on Favors.
Ian Thomsen of SI.com thinks that Turner provides the Sixers with what they've been missing, but also leaves the door open for a possible trade:
New coach Doug Collins will hope Turner -- the most mature player at the top of the draft -- becomes the Eastern version of Brandon Roy, settling down the Sixers and providing the leadership and playmaking that were lacking last season. The 76ers may also consider a trade to move back in the draft while picking up a veteran in the package.
Draft Express and NBADraft.net have stayed true since the lottery results were revealed, and still believe that the Sixers will take Turner.
Sean Deveney of The Sporting News says the Sixers might consider taking DeMarcus Cousins, but will likely go with Turner.
Dime Magazine discusses a possible trade scenario for the Sixers, where they would trade the No. 2 pick to Minnesota for the No. 4 and No. 10 pick this year.
Daniel Abelson is a sophomore at Drexel University and a Philly.com Sports intern.