"Be patient" was Sam Hinkie's message in the 2014 draft. With the third pick in the 2014 draft, the 76ers selected Joel Embiid from Kansas. The 7-footer from Cameroon emerged as the top prospect within the last few months until a stress fracture was discovered in his foot last week that required surgery. Falling to #3, the Sixers will made a steal if he can stay healthy. Embiid's freshman season at Kansas ended early with a back injury (why do the Sixers love injured big men?). Only beginning to play basketball in 2011, NBA scouts have been blown away with the progress he has made just within the last year. Embiid is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the year and has a nice offensive game, with a back to the basket game as well as a good jumpshot for a player of his size. Joel will be a legitimate center with his size and strength. Embiid averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 23 minutes in 28 games with Kansas. The #3 pick will miss part if not all of the upcoming season recovering from surgery.
The Sixers made a little bit of a surprise pick with PG Elfrid Payton from UL Lafayette. The pick was a bit surprising when the Sixers already have a point guard without a jump shot, but it became clearer when word emerged that Philly had traded Payton to Orlando for Dario Saric at #12. A future first round (originally Philly's from Bynum trade) and second round pick were also involved. The Croatian power forward just signed a deal earlier this week with Anadolu Efes, a Turkish team, which guarantees he will remain in Europe until at least 2016. The 6'10'' 20-year-old isn't a flashy athlete, but has a high basketball IQ, great vision and passing skills, and is a threat in the post. Saric was the Croatian League MVP in 2013 and the Adriatic League MVP in 2014.
The Sixers made a little bit of a surprise pick with PG Elfrid Payton from UL Lafayette. The pick was a bit surprising when the Sixers already have a point guard without a jump shot, but it became clearer when word emerged that Philly had traded Payton to Orlando for Dario Saric at #12. A future first round (originally Philly's from Bynum trade) and second round pick were also involved. The Croatian power forward just signed a deal earlier this week with Anadolu Efes, a Turkish team, which guarantees he will remain in Europe until at least 2016. The 6'10'' 20-year-old isn't a flashy athlete, but has a high basketball IQ, great vision and passing skills, and is a threat in the post. Saric was the Croatian League MVP in 2013 and the Adriatic League MVP in 2014.
The Cavaliers selected Andrew Wiggins with the first overall pick, stealing the #RigginforWiggins, #WinlessforWigginsfor whatever hashtag dream Sixers fans had of bringing the athletic Canadian to Philadelphia. Instead, he'll be stuck in Cleveland. Unsurprisingly, the Bucks took Jabari Parker with the second pick, leaving the 76ers with multiple options at #3. Hinkie elected to take Embiid over Dante Exum who was rumored to be high on the Sixers' board.
With the 32nd pick, the Sixers used their first of five second round picks on KJ Mcdaniels out of Clemson. The small forward is a defensive specialist whose athleticism makes him dangerous in transition, just the way the Sixers like to play. McDaniel's averaged 17.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks while being named to the All-ACC team and conference Player of the Year.
Jerami Grant, a small forward out of Syracuse, was selected 39th overall by the 76ers. He reminds me of Kawhi Leonard a bit, with the way that he uses his length on defense and can play either the 3 or the 4, if the 76ers choose to go small. He isn't the best shooter, but he's athletic and can do his damage around the hoop. His father and his uncle, Harvey and Horace Grant respectively, both played in the league for years, and Horace was on a few of Michael Jordan's Bulls teams. Grant comes from a successful NBA family and should be able to stick with the 76ers.
The next pick for the Sixers, at 52nd overall, was Vasilje Micic from Serbia. Micic runs the point and compares well to Jose Calderon. He isn't known for his athleticism, but Micic can shoot and pass pretty well. Micic can come over when he is ready and be a good second option behind MCW. He was also born in 1994, just to make everyone feel a little older and less accomplished.
The 76ers went with another Serbian at 54th overall, selecting Nemanja Dangubic, a 6 foot 8 shooting guard. Even if Dangubic doesn't come over for a year or two, it adds some shooting depth to a team that desperately needs it. Dangubic is pretty athletic compared to his European counterparts and should be able to keep up with the pros over here.
Finally, with their last pick of the draft, the 76ers selected Jordan McRae 58th overall from the University of Tennessee. McRae is a 6 foot 5 shooting guard, and averaged nearly 19 points a game last season for the sweet 16 team out of Knoxville. He can shoot it well and should be able to contribute this season for the 76ers.
While Hinkie didn't get the main guy that everyone wanted, the 76ers still came away with a pretty decent haul and should easily improve on their win-loss record.
By: Matt Ryan & Dan Goggin
With the 32nd pick, the Sixers used their first of five second round picks on KJ Mcdaniels out of Clemson. The small forward is a defensive specialist whose athleticism makes him dangerous in transition, just the way the Sixers like to play. McDaniel's averaged 17.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks while being named to the All-ACC team and conference Player of the Year.
Jerami Grant, a small forward out of Syracuse, was selected 39th overall by the 76ers. He reminds me of Kawhi Leonard a bit, with the way that he uses his length on defense and can play either the 3 or the 4, if the 76ers choose to go small. He isn't the best shooter, but he's athletic and can do his damage around the hoop. His father and his uncle, Harvey and Horace Grant respectively, both played in the league for years, and Horace was on a few of Michael Jordan's Bulls teams. Grant comes from a successful NBA family and should be able to stick with the 76ers.
The next pick for the Sixers, at 52nd overall, was Vasilje Micic from Serbia. Micic runs the point and compares well to Jose Calderon. He isn't known for his athleticism, but Micic can shoot and pass pretty well. Micic can come over when he is ready and be a good second option behind MCW. He was also born in 1994, just to make everyone feel a little older and less accomplished.
The 76ers went with another Serbian at 54th overall, selecting Nemanja Dangubic, a 6 foot 8 shooting guard. Even if Dangubic doesn't come over for a year or two, it adds some shooting depth to a team that desperately needs it. Dangubic is pretty athletic compared to his European counterparts and should be able to keep up with the pros over here.
Finally, with their last pick of the draft, the 76ers selected Jordan McRae 58th overall from the University of Tennessee. McRae is a 6 foot 5 shooting guard, and averaged nearly 19 points a game last season for the sweet 16 team out of Knoxville. He can shoot it well and should be able to contribute this season for the 76ers.
While Hinkie didn't get the main guy that everyone wanted, the 76ers still came away with a pretty decent haul and should easily improve on their win-loss record.
By: Matt Ryan & Dan Goggin
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