So says ESPN:
SIXERS (via Lakers) | Likely spot: No. 10 No. 1 pick odds: 1.1 percent Trade considerations: The 76ers get the Lakers’ pick if it lands at No. 1 or Nos. 6-14 (97.1 percent chance). If the pick falls Nos. 2-5, it goes to Boston and the 76ers get the Kings’ 2019 first-rounder unprotected.
If they land in the top three, they should pick …
- No. 1: Deandre Ayton
- No. 2: N/A, pick goes to Celtics
- No. 3: N/A, pick goes to Celtics
Most likely pick: Mikal Bridges | SF | Villanova
After watching Jayson Tatum carve up Marco Belinelli and a host of other Sixers in the playoffs, it’s clear Philly could use more defensive-minded wings and few prospects are more ready to play a role at small forward than Mikal Bridges. Although he’s a bit one-dimensional as a spot-up shooter, Bridges fits well with ball-dominant players such as Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, not needing to pound the ball to have an impact. The wider-bodied Miles Bridges could also get looks here as an energetic two-way combo forward.
Additionally, the Sixers could use another shot-creator should they lose confidence in Markelle Fultz’s development, which remains unlikely at this stage. If it indeed does come to that, though, they could turn to a prospect like Kentucky’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
