New 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo has been managing expectations when it comes to the arrival of Dario Saric in Philadelphia, suggesting that there are plenty of hurdles to clear before the possibility of Saric becoming a Sixer in 2016/17 turns into a reality.
Still, even though it might make more financial sense for Saric to wait one more year, Derek Bodner of PhillyMag.com has talked to several people with knowledge of the forward’s situation who believe it’s very likely he joins the Sixers this year. According to Bodner (Twitter links), even though Philadelphia has been noncommittal about it, people close to the situation with Efes (Saric’s team in Turkey) believe the former No. 12 overall pick will make the leap to the NBA this summer.
Here’s more on the Sixers:
- With Jaylen Brown having come in for a solo workout with the 76ers on Tuesday, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer wonders if it’s a signal that the club is serious about acquiring a second top-10 pick in this year’s draft. Brown, of course, isn’t viewed as a real candidate for the No. 1 overall pick, but perhaps Philadelphia is just doing its due diligence.
- The other players the Sixers worked out on Tuesday are potential second-round or undrafted players, as Pompey writes. Philadelphia doesn’t have a second-round pick this year, but the club will keep an eye on prospects that could be added to its D-League squad.
- If the Sixers do acquire another top pick, one target could be Providence’s Kris Dunn. According to Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), Philadelphia “absoutely loves” Dunn.
- The 76ers announced in a press release that they’re hosting another pre-draft workout today, with six prospects in attendance: Stephen Zimmerman (UNLV), Bryn Forbes (Michigan State), Grandy Glaze (Grand Canyon), Stefan Jankovic (Hawaii), Retin Obasohan (Alabama), and David Walker (Northeastern). With the exception of Zimmerman, who ranks 35th on DraftExpress.com’s big board, today’s workout group consists of players likely to go undrafted.
- Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders spoke to Jahlil Okafor about his rookie season and about the trade rumors that have swirled around him all year.
Maybe I’m wrong but if Okafor and Noel don’t play well together isn’t it a no brainier to trade one of them to acquire a lottery pick to get Dunn or Murray?
I’d rather see them work out something with the lakers. Ja and one of their other 1st rounders….
Lol. The lakers have zero interest in Okafor.
ZERO.
If they wanted him that bad they would have taken him last year!! He would be a horrible fit next to Randle and they need shooting more than a center who doesn’t play defense.
Exactly. As a lakers fan I’m still so relieved that we passed on him. Whew!!!
Relieved? He has more value than Russell clearly. Would I trade the second pick for him though, no.
Disagree. Okafor has a game straight out of 1986 with very little upside. Russell had to deal with the Kobe retirement tour, Byron Scott… And still managed to make more threes than any other 20 year old in the HISTORY OF THIS LEAGUE.
Russell also had to go up against the PG of the west all year long as a 20 year old. He’s going to get stronger and His game is going to look really good in Luke Walton’s offense. Not to mention how much having a wing like Ingram spacing the floor will help his facilitating. Russell is going to be a special player. Okafor at best is an Al Jefferson.
That’s still a good comp for Okafor though…so if Okafor turns out to be another Al Jefferson I don’t think many people will be upset.
I think Russell’s holds way more value in the league today because of what he can do on the perimeter.
Celtics would take Okafor for their #3 pick and maybe a 2nd round pick as well
#3 overall and Avery Bradley. Then when the Sixers get that pick and Bradley, flip it all to the Bulls for Jimmy Butler. Of course they will need to include more for Butler though. Butler, Embiid, Noel, new PG, Simmons…not too shabby of a starting lineup.
#3 and Bradley is not enough. Those other first round picks the 76ers have is also not enough. Noel or that #1 pick would have to be included just to get Butler. On some video game miracle the 76ers acquire Butler without giving up Noel/#1 pick…and roll out that frontcourt…there would be absolutely no spacing. Simmons, Noel, and Embiid can’t shoot from deep so they would all be packed into the paint.