2015 Sixers Big Board 3.0

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Updated: Wednesday, March 4, 2015 08:00 AM
NBA Draft

This is v3.0 of my 76ers-focused 2015 NBA draft big board. Note, this is how I would rank them if I were running the Sixers. That is not necessarily the same as how I would rank them as prospects overall, or a prediction on how I think the Sixers rank them within their front office.

Last updated: March 4th, 2015 

Pick Player Position College Class
1 Karl Towns (last: 2) C Kentucky Freshman
Back during my first edition of the big board, I called the race between Okafor and Towns “too close to call”. I have always been a very big fan of Towns, but why the change now? Towns has been getting more playing time, and opportunity, with Kentucky of late, but that hasn’t really changed my evaluation of him. It’s more that the defensive concerns with Okafor, which I have always acknowledged were there, become more concerning the longer they go unresolved. The closer the talent level between the two becomes, the harder it is to overlook the fit, and defensive, concerns with Okafor.
2 Jahlil Okafor (last: 1) C Duke Freshman
That being said, there’s no way I drop Okafor more than this. It’s become trendy to hate on Okafor lately, and I see many Sixers fans now struggling to put him in the top-5. Slow your roll a little bit. Putting Towns ahead of him makes sense because he presents similar (albeit different) upside, with less risk in terms of fit. But once you start talking about Russell, Mudiay, and Porzingis, each of them have risks that make them anything but a sure thing. Okafor may never be able to fit with Embiid, but his ability to be the center of a defenses attention, and his ability to make defenses pay for that attention with his potentially elite passing from the post, presents too much upside to pass on. If Brett Brown can get him to be an even average defender, the upside is enormous. As much as any top prospect in recent memory, the time between the end of the tournament and the draft could be huge for Okafor, as he’ll have a couple of months to intensely focus on conditioning and his jump shot, two things that could change his long term potential drastically.
— End tier 1 —
3 D’Angelo Russell (last: 3) PG/SG Ohio State Freshman
Has struggled a bit of late, shooting only 37.7% from the field and 31% from three over his last 5, while turning the ball over 3.2 times per night over that span. He also continues to struggle against some of the top defenses he’s gone up against. Too much talent, and too great of a fit, to drop, but he’ll be interesting to watch over the next month+.
4 Kristaps Porzingis (last: 4) PF Sevilla
Has struggled a bit in his last few games, but continues to play well on a bad team in a tough league, and would be a perfect fit next to Embiid if he fills out over time.
— End tier 2 —
5 Stanley Johnson (last: 5) SF Arizona Freshman
Has probably shown his first real bout of consistency problems of late, as he failed to reach double figures in scoring in 2 of his past 5 games and in 3 of his last 8, although one of those games he only played 17 minutes because it was a rout. He had reached double figures in 14 of his first 15 games in his collegiate career. His perimeter shot, in particular, has come down to earth a bit of late, shooting only 13.3% over his last 5 games. Still, his potential as a defensive player, slasher, and perimeter shooter is a great “worst case scenario” in this draft for the Sixers.
6 Emmanuel Mudiay (last: 6) PG Guangdong
Made a surprise comeback in the CBA for Guangdong, causing execs around the league to scramble to grab flights to China. Had 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in his first game back, shooting 8-19 from the field, including 2-4 from 3. He struggled a bit more in his final game in China, as he scored 15 points, with 8 assists and 7 rebounds in 44 minutes, but committed 6 turnovers and shot 5-14 from the field. On the season, he shot 34% from 3 and a dismal 57% from the free throw line. He will be a very polarizing prospect, and it all really comes down to how much confidence you have in his jump shot. My confidence level is low, so I’m lower on him than most, and I’m especially low on his fit with Embiid and the Sixers. That being said, he’s a creative (and underrated) passer off the pick and roll, so that fit could change drastically if he does ever improve that shot.
7 Mario Hezonja (last: 7) SG Barcelona
The only reason Mario Hezonja is 7th is because there are 6 other people in this draft I really like. Getting back into this portion of the draft would be incredible.
— End tier 3 —
8 Myles Turner (last: 9) C Texas Freshman
Theoretically could be a great fit next to Embiid, as he provides perimeter shooting, rebounding, and shot blocking. Only problem is I don’t see him moving well enough laterally to really defend the copious amounts of pick and rolls he’d face at the next level if paired next to Embiid.
9 Justise Winslow (last: 11) SF Duke Freshman
Has really turned it on of late, hitting from the perimeter and creating off the dribble. Winslow’s ultimate offensive upside has been hard to peg of late, but ever since Rasheed Sulaimon was kicked off of Duke, Winslow’s played very, very well.
10 Kevon Looney (last: 10) PF UCLA Freshman
Looney’s a bit of a polarizing prospect, but he’s been impacting games more consistently of late. Doesn’t do anything exceptional at this stage but he has a diversity and fluidity to his game that could be interesting in a couple of years.
11 Kelly Oubre (last: 8) SF Kansas Freshman
I have never been able to fully buy into Oubre’s defense, or fully rely on Oubre translating his incredible physical gifts into consistent production. Immensely talented, and could rise up the board if he puts it together.
— End tier 4 —
12 Devin Booker (last: 12) SG Kentucky Freshman
Big wing, plays hard, hits from the perimeter. Good value here, and a great fit.
— End tier 5 —
13 Willie Cauley-Stein (last: 13) C Kentucky Junior
Great defensive prospect, bad fit with Embiid, similar style to Noel. Have to think most other teams would value him higher than the Sixers.
14 Trey Lyles (last: 14) PF Kentucky Freshman
Has had some big games of late, including scoring 18 in back-to-back games against Mississippi State and Arkansas. Would be interesting what his numbers, and draft stock, were if he were on a team not as loaded in front court depth as Kentucky is.
15 Bobby Portis (last: 15) PF Arkansas Sophomore
Continues to produce for Arkansas, and did so against an NBA caliber, and defensive juggernaut, front court in Kentucky, where he put up 15 points and 8 rebounds on 6-11 from the field.

Just missed: Jerian Grant, Tyus Jones, Caris LeVert, Christian Wood, Frank Kaminsky

You can view previous versions of my big board here.

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Derek Bodner

Derek Bodner is a credentialed reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers independently for DerekBodner.com. He is also a college basketball scout for DraftExpress.com, and an NBA contributor for The Ringer. Contact Information: derek.bodner@draftexpress.com / @DerekBodnerNBA

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