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Sixers bringing Kevin Knox, Zhaire Smith back for another predraft workout

Allonzo Trier, on the cusp of going undrafted on Thursday, had an emotional workout with the Sixers.

Kevin Knox, who visited the Sixers for a predraft workout last week, will be back in town Tuesday for a private session.
Kevin Knox, who visited the Sixers for a predraft workout last week, will be back in town Tuesday for a private session.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer

The 76ers will get second looks at Kevin Knox and Zhaire Smith.

The two wing players will be the headliners of Tuesday's predraft workouts at the Sixers' facility.

Knox, a freshman small forward from Kentucky, will have a private session at 1 p.m., following his workout on Friday.

Smith, a freshman shooting guard out of Texas Tech, will participate in a six-player workout in the morning. He'll be joined by La Salle swingman B.J. Johnson, USC guard Tyler Nelson, Kansas guard Malik Newman, and Wichita State guard Landry Shamet.

The Sixers have the 10th and 26th overall picks in the first round of Thursday's draft. They also have four second-round picks: 38, 39, 56, and 60.  Smith, who worked out on June 12, would be a great option if the Sixers traded their 10th pick to move back a few slots in the draft.

>>READ MORE: What will the Sixers do on draft night?

Knox believes he's the best draft option for the No. 10 pick. And he believes the team has mutual interest, based off the feedback he got following Friday's workout at the facility.

That's when the 6-foot-9, 215-pounder put his shooting, tenacity, fire, and energy on full display.

>>READ MORE: Mock draft | Sixers could take Kentucky's Knox at No. 10

Knox, who will not turn 19 until Aug. 11, dominated players who were up to four years older. He converted a three-point play while posting up, buried a three-pointer, and assisted on a layup during the short stretch of a scrimmage that was open to the media.

Knox averaged 15.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in his only season for the Wildcats. He shot 34.1 percent from three-point range. A 2017 McDonalds All American from Tampa, Fla. with a 7-0¼ wingspan, he led the Wildcats in scoring in 12 games last season.

Smith's quickness was on full display in his first workout, as defenders had a tough time staying in front of him. He also blocked Creighton guard Marcus Foster's shot in a one-on-one drill. Smith later drove the lane, stopped, and delivered a one-handed dunk on a defender.

>>READ MORE: After weathering the storm, Brett Brown is finally calling the shots

Smith, 6-foot-4, averaged 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals last season. He was named to the all-Big 12 newcomer team and the conference all-defensive team.

Trier works out for Sixers

An emotional display is perhaps the best way to describe Allonzo Trier's workout with the Sixers on Monday.

The Arizona shooting guard slammed the ball to the court after committing a turnover in one drill. He could also be heard talking strategy to teammates and coming down hard on himself after another miscue.

In jeopardy of not being drafted, it was easy to see why this workout meant so much to him. Trier, the first-team all-Pac-12 selection and AP all-American honorable mention, is predicted to be a late-second-round pick or an undrafted free agent.

"I'm not sure why that is," he said. "All I know is that I can play on the floor with anybody at any time. I know what my game is capable of. I know how it translates to this level.

"If you look at my numbers, they're better than a lot of guys. So, I don't what that is, but I'm not worried about it."

Trier averaged 18.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists last season. He runs the floor well and has great court vision. But defense is the Seattle native's Achilles heel.

He wanted to prove that he's a capable defender.

"I'm not going to be a liability out there," Trier said. "I can compete out there with all of these guys."

Seton Hall center Angel Delgado, Bucknell center Nana Foulland, Butler forward Kelan Martin, Purdue guard Dakota Mathias, and George Washington guard Yuta Watanabe joined Trier in the workout.

Johnson named Blue Coats coach

Connor Johnson is the new head coach of the Delaware Blue Coats, the Sixers NBA G League affiliate. The 28-year-old had served as a Sixers staff member since 2014.

He was promoted to Sixers director of player development and coaching administration before the start of last season. Part of his duties involved conducting the team's practices. The San Diego native spent the previous two seasons as Sixers video coordinator. Johnson started his career as Brett Brown's personal assistant.

>> READ MORE: How did Sam Hinkie and Bryan Colangelo do in the draft