Sixers need to look toward lottery
The Sixers are a lock for this year's NBA Draft Lottery, and the franchise needs to prepare for the future.
Sixers need to look toward lottery
Michael Kaskey-Blomain, Assistant Sports Producer
The Sixers are facing an uncertain offseason: coaching questions, a probable plethora of personnel moves, and, of course, they still have to determine the best course of action for Andrew Bynum.
Despite the uncertainty, it is safe to say that the Sixers are a lock for the lottery. For much of the season it seemed as though they may be able to make a playoff push, but at this point it has become obvious that the team is eliminated from the postseason.
Thus, the organization should be looking toward the lottery.
The Bynum move was a bust, and without a deep list of franchise-changing free agents available this summer, it may be time for the Sixers to build the old-fashioned way: through the draft.
Some teams (Boston, Miami and New York, among others) have been able to remake themselves recently without developing through the draft over the course of several seasons. These teams were able to attract top quality talent through free agency, which clearly won’t be the case for the struggling Sixers.
So with that being said, it’s time to take a look into this year’s lottery and point out some players who may be available to help the franchise going forward.
1. Alex Len, Maryland: If the Sixers don’t re-sign Andrew Bynum this summer, the team will surely be on the market for a big man. Kwame Brown and Spencer Hawes are the only other true centers currently on the roster, and neither has a real future with the franchise.
Len is an extremely athletic seven-footer with developing offensive ability. He has a nice touch and is able to shoot over others because of his size. He is quick and nimble on his feet and can finish well around the basket, as well as being adept at offensive rebounding. He is extremely long and can serve as a deterrent on the defensive end. He may very well develop into a solid starting center in the league.
2. C.J. McCollum, Lehigh: An explosive scorer who has been somewhat overlooked by playing at Lehigh, McCollum averaged around 20 points per game in each of his four college seasons, and has the ability to get to the basket and create his own shot.
It is no secret that the Sixers struggled to score this season, and adding one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball couldn’t hurt. However, at 6’3’’, McCollum’s size is somewhat of a concern. With Holiday penned in as the starting point, McCollum would be playing mainly shooting guard minutes. Starting him and Holiday together, while potentially explosive, could also be an issue as the two could easily be oversized and overmatched. Still, scoring is an area the team desperately needs to address this offseason, and it happens to be McCollum’s specialty.
3. James Michael McAdoo, North Carolina: An interesting option here. While McAdoo doesn’t directly address any of the Sixers glaring issues, the potential might be too much to pass up. At 6’9’’, 220 pounds, McAdoo is a little more fit for forward than fan favorite Thaddeus Young.
While he will certainly needs to add some strength, McAdoo can do a lot on the court, and would be able to fill a lot of holes for the 76ers, especially if Young is used as trade bait this summer.
4. Victor Oladipo, Indiana: Not too popular among Philly fans right now after the dagger he hit to take Temple out of the NCAA tourney, but Victor Oladipo may be an option for the 76ers.
Oladipo is a hard-nosed player who can get it done defensively. He is extremely active and athletic, and his hard-working habits would make him a good fit with any franchise. His lack of offensive ability is a drawback, as the Sixers desperately need scorers. But again, if Evan Turner is traded this summer, Oladipo may be a replacement option.
5. Cody Zeller, Indiana: This option follows the same logic as an Alex Len selection. If Bynum does not come back the Sixers will need a replacement in the post, and Zeller may be among the best available. Though he may not be the most exciting option, Zeller has had a solid career at Indiana, and could contribute at the NBA-level.
Like Len, Zeller is athletic for his size, and is an efficient and effective scorer. He would need to add bulk to bang with other bigs in the NBA, but he could provide the Sixers with a nice post presence.
Keep in mind these possible picks are based on the premise that, while the Sixers stunk this season, they didn’t stink enough to give themselves a good chance at a top-tier pick. They are currently projected as having a 0.8% chance of winning the lottery. So assuming popular early picks like Kentucky's Nerlens Noel, Kansas' Ben McLemore, and Georgetown's Otto Porter are taken, these are the options the Sixers may be working with. A lot can change between now and June, but there is no doubt that the franchise needs to begin preparing for the future.
As long as Collins is gone we can rebuild with youth. If Collins is here than we are in trouble— male- If the the Sixers don't win the lottery and get a pick between 10-15 range, I hope they draft a SG like Michigan State's Gary Harris. Then in free agency, if they can sign pg- Jarrett Jack, pf-JJ Hickson, and c-Tiago Splitter, that would help the low post issues, and prevent Holiday from wearing down. Projected lineup for 2014: pg-Holiday/Jack, sg-Wright(should re-sign)/Harris, sf-T.Young/Turner, pf-Hickson/Allen, and c-Hawes/Splitter. Good luck! Go Phillies!— uscwee
- This franchise needs no comment.— prudential2
- 11th pick in the draft or worse. Sixers trying to win every game now that they are out of contention.— Drew777
- Why do these idiots keep winning? They are too stupid to build a good team, and too stupid to tank and rebuild.— phillyisahole
- Draft anyone you want, but if it isn't 1 or 2 and a bonafide superstar talent, they will never dig there way out of middle of the road purgatory. That's why they took a shot on Bynum. There is no such thing as rebuilding the old fashioned way in the NBA anymore. Just ask the Nicks and Boston. They tried to for years and just found themselves in the same place the Sixers now do, so both teams went out and got themselves bonafide superstars. This is also what the Lakers are now finding out. Name one current NBA team that managed to turn itself into a title contender by drafting low in the lottery? In other words, a team that didn't get the luck of the bouncing balls in a year when someone like Kevin Durant was coming out?— Hemingway
- They are not now in "middle of the road purgatory", they now are dregs with a squad with subpar talents on the roster...In the NBA one must build assets, giving one the chance eventually to be good. The Sixers bundled assets to try to acquire a game changing big (as well as a halfcourt offensive anchor and rim protector)..Didn't work... Athletes like Olidapo (defensive gem with on the ball abilities, can shoot it a bit, and can finsh like Iggy) or diverse scorers like McCollum (crafty penetrator off crossover,awesome quick release off catch and shoot, and a true ability to read screens and score off the dribble...closest thing coming out to Lou) could both help this team....Athletic bigs like Zeller and Len have Myers Leonard type promise, further intriguing thoughts of "Twin Towers" with Hawes that brought AB here in the first place last Summer...McAdoo's stock has fallen, but UNC has misused him guarding opposing 5's, and the guy's a fluid 4 with a great body...The above list is solid,albeit small, and the Sixers' needs are vast...(catch and shoot 2 guard Mclemore and physical combo guard Marcus Smart will lead a contingent of freshmen)...More than ever, the Combine and individual team workouts will determine Draft orders as the mocks are unsure still..>What is sure iss that the Sixers have vast needs, need more athletes, and need to build an identity...Would love Olidapo, with some Tony Mitchell on the side (Round 2, no giveaways this year, brass)..>Would also love chuck's wish for last cigarettes and blindfolds for last season's decision makers...Seems like the Nuggets helped themselves drafting fan favorites like Lawson and Faried after the middle of the first round...Getting good is lots of things...good coaching,drafting,trades, and FA acquisitions,. — bearsfriend
- Hard to imagine the current regime being able to draft, trade or acquire FA in a worthwhile fashion. It seems to lack accountability from top to bottom. Like most fans I was on board with the big trade last summer, but after talking to someone in the Orlando organization heard that they wanted no part of Bynum due to multiple concerns with his health and attitude.... Why didn't anyone in our organization see the same issues? Seems that they have to develop some young players (Moultrie) and get lucky in the lottery to get anywhere. Looks like another long stretch of being out of, or getting the 8th seed in the playoffs. At least we have LaSalle! — Dave47
- Manok:loved your comp of Avery Bradley to Oladipo the other day...Regarding Khalif Wyatt, he's come a long way (bodywise) since leaving Norristown, but he doesn't do it for NBA scouts athletically...He'll make plenty of money in Europe, or toil in the D League for a few years as he's very crafty.— bearsfriend
- Dave47: Knowing you're down Orlando way, it's amazing how the Magic (despite the losing),and Jaquues Vaughnn are at least able to create some hope as guys seem to thrive when given an opportunity...tonight's production (albeit playing the Bobcats will always help) with a frontline of Tobias Harris (new life since trade), Mo Harkless (comments from Kevin Durant on his future still a punch in the gut to me)and 2cnd round over achiever Kyle O'Quinn shows me that young GM knows what he's looking for...Maybe DC starts recruiting for his son at NorthWestern and saves us all some more heartache.— bearsfriend
- doug dogged turner, benched vucevic and won't even let moultrie out on the court. no use worrying about winning meaningless games and falling in the draft if we ain't going to develop our rookies anyway.— rzzzzz
- these wins are making me sick. the sixers had a good shot to get as high as 3 in the lottery at one point and now they will probably end up in the 11 spot. also, it will make me sick if the sixers draft a big other than noel (who will be gone unless the sixers get lucky in the lottery. len, zeller, plumlee, and mcadoo are all softer than spencer hawes (alright maybe not quite that soft, but i dont want them on the team).— HDemetriou
- Demetriou:both Zeller and Plumlee both have the ability to finish real strong...That's not Hawes' game, and frankly...Hawes is NOT the problem on this current team...The team needs MORE...deeper roster, better catch and shoot, more ferocious rebounding, players that understand how to rotate and time screens, want to show up and play hard every game...That being said, yes...these wins are useless for this roster.— bearsfriend
- im just saying, they would be better off going with a 2 or 3 i think there is more talent available there. i was hoping we would get in the mix for shabazz, noel, porter,etc. but now thats very unlikely to happen. i think olidipo would be nice if available. also, if anyone is interested in giving up a mid first for turner, id pull the trigger and get glen robinson III. those are two talented guys who, i believe could be eventual starters. — HDemetriou
- Sounds like many of us are scanning early...Happy hunting. I'm figuring ET to get dealt on Draft Night, but I'm still hoping for Gordon Hayward straight up...longer, more athletic, does not need the ball to excel with a very impressive PER for a half a game player. — bearsfriend
