Russell is Sixers' expected pick; will Hinkie take him?

NEW YORK - What will Sam Hinkie do?

That's perhaps the biggest question in Philadelphia, if not the NBA. The 76ers general manager has many options heading into the NBA draft Thursday night at the Barclays Center.

Although he has remained quiet throughout the process, the common belief is that Hinkie will take Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell with the third overall pick. Citing several league sources, CBSSports.com reported that the Sixers are interested in trading up with the Minnesota Timberwolves (first pick) and Los Angeles Lakers (second) to ensure that they'll get the 6-foot-5, 193-pounder.

There are also reports that the Sixers are in trade talks with the Portland Trail Blazers to add another first-round pick. They would take the 23d pick from the Blazers in exchange for two second-round picks (35th and 37th) and possibly future considerations.

No one outside of Hinkie and the teams he's talking to know what he'll do on draft night. What we do know is that the general manager would love to have a second first-rounder. And he has enough assets to make a deal work.

For now, the Sixers have the third overall pick and five second-rounders - 35, 37, 47, 58 and 60.

The Timberwolves reportedly have told Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns that they'll take him first. The Lakers are expected to scoop up Duke's Jahlil Okafor if they don't trade out of the second pick. That would leave Russell there for the Sixers to nab at three.

The 19-year-old guard shot down a report about his not wanting to play for the Sixers during a predraft media availability Wednesday. "It's a great place. Why wouldn't I want to be there?" Russell said.

He certainly is familiar with some of the Sixers' players.

Russell is friends with power forward Nerlens Noel and point guard Isaiah Canaan. He and Joel Embiid were teammates at Montverde Academy in Florida during the 2011-12 season. Russell was a high school sophomore and Embiid was a junior. The center transferred to the Rock School, also in Florida, after the school year.

After canceling his first Sixers workout because of an illness, Russell worked out for the team June 17.

"Philly is a great organization," he said. "And I feel like they can use a wing guard-like player that can play-make. That's exactly what I bring to the table."

Russell realizes that going to the Timberwolves, Lakers or New York Knicks, who pick fourth, might be better short-term situations.

The Sixers tanked their way to 127 losses in the last two seasons. They're expected to struggle again next season. And it could take about five seasons - if not longer - for the franchise to become a serious contender.

"I'll play for any team and make the best out of it," Russell said. "If it's the best team or so-called the worst team, I'm definitely looking forward to whatever position I'm put into."

If the Sixers don't draft Russell, power forward Kristaps Porzingis and point guard Emmanuel Mudiay are options.

Porzingis did not work out for the Sixers. However, the 7-foot-1 post player with guardlike skills believes the Sixers would be a good team for him.

"I can't say anything bad about them," said the Latvia native, who played professionally in Spain. "I would love to play for whoever drafts me."

Porzingis thinks his game would complement the frontcourt play of Noel and Embiid. The 19-year-old is extremely athletic and has three-point range.

"We would be a great mixture," he said. "We can block shots, run the floor. All the guys are really athletic. I think we would be a good combination."

Mudiay played in only 12 games in the Chinese Basketball Association this season because of an ankle injury. The Congo-born player said he can be a "competitor and a winner" with the Sixers.

"I love to win," he said. "And I'm going to bring it every day. With the pieces that they have, I think it will fit pretty well, too."

So again, what will Hinkie do?

@PompeyOnSixers

www.philly.com/deepsixer