The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: 3 Possible Draft Scenarios For Sixers
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- What will Sam Hinkie do? Nobody knows and that's the fun of it.
With so many possibilities in Thursday night's NBA Draft, comes immense intrigue for Philadelphia 76ers fans, who can guess all they want. But let's be honest---there's only one guy who knows what is going to happen and that is Hinkie himself, or who I am deeming the NBA's Frank Underwood.
Let's take a look at the possible Sixers draft scenarios.
The good: Draft D'Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay
This is the simplest move Sam Hinkie can make, choosing between point-guards D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay (assuming Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor goes one-two). The fans want Russell, but they'll come around on Mudiay once they learn about him, if he's the guy.
But we all know Sam doesn't like simple.
The bad: Draft for upside and take Kristaps Porzingis
Can you imagine how the "Hinkie haters" (cough, cough: Angelo Cataldi and Howard Eskin) will react to a 19-year-old, 7-foot skinny European white guy from Latvia who is deemed "raw" and a "project."
"WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!"
The ugly: Jahlil Okafor slips to No. 3 and the Sixers take him
Sam Hinkie, like most personnel executives, constantly preaches, "best player available."
Well, if Okafor falls to No. 3 he will be the best player available. Problem is, while Okafor might indeed be a dominant NBA big man, the Sixers already have two young bigs in Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid (sigh).
Plus, Okafor suited for today's new-aged, "small ball" game? Can he guard his position in space if needed? Can he make foul shots? Or any shots outside of the paint?
*HINKIE BONUS - The unforeseen: Assets, assets, and more assets
Look, we know Hinkie loves to wheel and deal. We know the Sixers have six picks (No. 3 and five second-rounders). We know Hinkie wants to acquire assets. We know the Knicks need assets (and Phil Jackson can be fleeced). And we know there are multiple possibilities at No. 3: Russell, Mudiay, Porzingis, even Okafor if available, or even the athletic wing-player in Mario Hezonja of Barcelona.
Maybe Hinkie wants to slide down three slots to acquire more assets? Maybe he wants to move up and acquire an extra first-round pick in this year's draft? Maybe he is trying to get fired and decides to trade everyone?
Who the heck knows. I certainly don't and that's what makes tonight so exciting for Sixers fans.
Knock. Knock.
