By Annie Ross
If you listen to the lame-ass local media, the Sixers have blown the future by not getting the No. 1 pick in the June 22 NBA draft.
Instead, they are “stick” at No. 3.
Puh-leeze!
It’s true that Markelle Fultz would have been great at No. 1.
Lonzo Ball (above) too.
But at No. 3?
Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum are high-upside small forwards who might be able to play the 4 if they put on some weight. Jackson fits how Philly likes to play because of his passing, athleticism and defense, but there are serious questions about his jump shot. In other words, he can’t shoot!
Tatum would give the Sixers a skilled scorer next to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but it’s unclear if he’ll be a consistent defender, passer or floor spacer. Reasonable people disagree about who is the better prospect, and there are a couple of guards from Kentucky who could complicate Philly’s decision.
De’Aaron Fox will all but certainly be available for the Sixers, and it’s hard not to love his game. Point guards with his combination of speed and size don’t come around too often. He is an inconsistent shooter, though, and that would make him an awkward fit alongside Simmons, who is expected to be Philly’s primary play-maker.
Malik Monk, Fox’s college teammate, could hardly be a better fit — he is an accurate jump shooter, an explosive athlete and has the potential to transition from a shooting guard in college to a pick-and-roll point guard in the NBA. Monk might be seen as a reach at No. 3, however.
Beyond all that, president Bryan Colangelo and his front office have four second-round picks (Nos. 36, 39, 46 and 50) to play with on June 22. The Sixers obviously don’t need to add that many rookies, so there will be trades and/or draft-and-stash selections.
