The Sixers also had the possibility of owning the Lakers' and Heat 1st round 2015 picks, but both picks fell within their protected ranges (top 5 and top 10 respectively). These will now carry over into the 2016 draft.
D'Angelo Russell is a 6'4'' PG/combo guard Russell led Ohio State to a 24-11 record as a freshman. He led all freshmen in scoring with 19.3 ppg on 44.9% shooting. He hit .411% from downtown and was effective shooting off the dribble and in catch and shoot situations. In his one year at OSU, Russell also averaged 5.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds. D'Angelo has all the physical tools to be a solid defender but will have to become more consistent. He's not incredibly explosive like a Westbrook or Rose, but has a certain confidence and is a threat to score or create like a Chris Paul on offense. Russell may be the best passer in the draft.
Emmanuel Mudiay on the other hand has the explosiveness Russell lacks, but like former starting PG and first round pick, Michael Carter-Williams, isn't a shooting threat and struggles with turnovers. Mudiay made the decision to forgo college and instead played overseas in the Chinese Basketball Association. The 19 year-old, 6'5'' guard only played 9 games in China before suffering an ankle injury and only returned for a short playoff stint. Mudiay averaged 18.0 ppg, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 12 games in the CBA.
The Sixers had a 46.9% chance of falling within the top 3 picks. Philly also picked 3rd in the 2014 draft, selecting Joel Embiid who sat out the season recovering from injury.
Minnesota owns the 1st overall pick and the Lakers moved up to number two in this years draft.
by: Matt Ryan