Nick Piccone
The Sixers are set to draft Ben Simmons first overall in tonight’s NBA Draft. But that’s not the only splash they’re looking to make. Sixers president of basketball operations and general manager Bryan Colangelo has been adamant about making more moves, and even possibly moving back into the top eight of the draft and using one of his 24th or 26th overall picks to do so.
That’s great and all, but what good is it if nobody wants to play for the Sixers? Because, you know, that’s been the MO of many people the last year saying that nobody – from college players coming in to veterans looking for a new team – wanted to play for the Sixers.
Maybe Sam Hinkie’s departure from the team helped communication throughout the rest of the league, including players and agents, but it now looks like the Sixers have become… wait for it… a destination! According to The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, Kris Dunn, who the Sixers seemingly want to move into the top eight to draft alongside Simmons, would love to be a Sixer.
Word around the league is that the 76ers would love to come away with Ben Simmons and Kris Dunn in the NBA draft Thursday night.
Dunn would love for that to happen as well.
“My dad [John Selden] is from is Philly,” the Providence point guard said Wednesday. “He would definitely love that. They’re a young team, and I’m willing to go there and work.”
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It was obvious Wednesday that Dunn hoped that the teams could work out a deal. He raved about Philadelphia during his media availability. He added that team president Bryan Colangelo has changed the mind-set of the Sixers.
“I couldn’t wait to be part of something like that,” he said. “I would be a part of helping change the orchestration of an organization that’s trying to rebuild.”
Dunn believes in a few seasons the Sixers will be “really, really” good. He said folks will remember when they turned things around.
“In a few years, we are all going to look back at the Sixers and think, ‘What happened?’ ” he said. “They are all going to be so good.”
Hmmm… the Sixers are going to be “so good” in a few years. Sounds good to me. Brandon Ingram, who projects to go second overall to the Los Angeles Lakers, is also holding out some hope that the Sixers will draft him. While reports say the Sixers informed Simmons they’d be drafting him first overall, Ingram says the Sixers told him to not listen to any reports.
Then again, what else would they tell him?
Kentucky guard Jamal Murray also wants to be the first overall pick because he thinks he’s the best player in the draft.
Of course I believe I’m the best player,” Murray said. “I’ve put so much work into this game. I know my abilities. I’m so confident in myself that I don’t see anyone else being better than me. Many other players will say that, but coming from me, I just know what I’ve sacrificed and how hard it is.”
Maybe that’s not a quote akin to him wanting to be drafted by the Sixers, but there are draft picks posturing to go higher and higher, and that only makes the Sixers look good right now. They’re a destination. Finally.