PHL Anon
There is a lot going on right now in the world of the Sixers, and it may be hard to keep up with everything. It turns out some big things might be in the works, and we want to make sure you are up to date on everything as the NBA Draft and free agency looms.
Is Dario Saric Coming to Philly?
We mentioned over the weekend about the Dario Saric situation. Has anything changed since then? Well, of course it has. Dime Magazine has featured information from a Croatian newspaper saying this:
Croatian newspaper: Dario Saric 99% going to go to the Sixers.
(h/t @Jfontanazza24) pic.twitter.com/QPW7AACWCR— Hoop76 (@Hoop_76) June 15, 2016
This would be great news if it’s true and not just speculation. Saric has length and outside shooting ability, and could be the most intriguing of all the current young players the Sixers have. It’d behoove the Sixers to bring him over as quickly as possible and find playing time for him.
The Sixers could add another Top 10 draft pick
Per Kieth Pompey:
A workout Tuesday afternoon could be another indication that the 76ers are trying to acquire a second top-10 pick in the NBA draft.
The Sixers put former California swingman Jaylen Brown through a solo workout even though they are expected to take Ben Simmons with the first overall pick. Brown is expected to be chosen from No. 3 to No. 8 in the draft on June 23.
So why bring Brown in for a workout unless the team is determined to acquire a second top pick? Right now, the Sixers have the first, 24th, and 26 picks.”
This makes a lot of sense, as the Sixers have brought in a lot of Top 10 talent prospects for workouts. A lot of you will say it’s due diligence, but is it? There is no way these players would be available in the 20s, and we know that not one named Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram would be going first overall. So, it would seem the Sixers are looking to maneuver to get another Top 10 pick.
Which leads me to my next topic…
The Sixers want to draft point guard Kris Dunn?
Per Liberty Ballers:
Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and it seems as though a small inferno is growing around Providence point guard Kris Dunn and the Sixers. Keith Pompey reported back in March that Philadelphia was interested in selecting Dunn “assuming the draft pick they get calls for that”, and Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher also said the Sixers could make a move for the third overall pick in order to draft Dunn.”
Hearing Philadelphia absolutely loves Providence's Kris Dunn. Could be Sixers' target if team acquires another top-five pick. #pcbb
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 15, 2016
As you know, my dream vision, dating back all the way to the start of the college basketball season, was drafting both Simmons and Dunn. Well, now there’s a chance of that happening. I’ll literally shit my pants if this happens. Literally.
Will the Sixers offer DeMar DeRozan a max deal?
There has been lots of speculation on where DeMar DeRozan will go and why. Is he a max deal player? Probably not, but he’s also not far off. However, just like the Nationals did with Jayson Werth, and to show the league they’re serious about starting to compete and attracting veterans, the Sixers will have to overpay a bit in the front end to get serious talent.
Raptors G DeMar DeRozan has officially opted out and is a free agent, league sources informed @clevelanddotcom. His deadline was June 15.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 13, 2016
Per The Sixer Sense:
DeRozan was scheduled to make $9.5 million next season on his current contract, but with the way he has produced, is well on his way to making near the max. That means he could jump up to close to or above $20 million this upcoming season.
Many fans have speculated about the possibility of the Sixers offering DeRozan the max deal this summer. This is a possibility, and I’m sure they will look into it, as they will with most big free agents. The team really needs some more pieces to be a cohesive competitive unit, and DeRozan could be a solid part of that.”
There will be complaints from fans if he is given a max deal, because people will discuss his playoff performances. Well, SHUT UP! Look at this squad. If we can discuss someone coming up small in the playoffs, that means we are actually good enough to make the playoffs! We need more talent on this team. And that’s step one.
While it is very unlikely that everything works out the way I have just laid it out, just imagine if it does. We could be looking at quite the lineup.
PG: Kris Dunn
SG: DeMar DeRozan
SF: Dario Saric
PF: Ben Simmons
C: Nerlens Noel
Then add in the possibility of a healthy Joel Embiid. Wet dreams for days!
That would be one heck of a line up. Imagine if a tv sports news segment ended with that wet dream notion. Ratings would probably sky rocket.
Go ahead trade okafor it will be a Brad Daugherty size mistake 3 decades later to the day
So the lineup has one guy who can shoot from outside and he’s an untested rookie.
Great plan.
Sorry to say, but that lineup stinks. DeMar Derozan is a SG that can’t hit a 3. For Simmons to be effective, he needs space. For him to get space, he needs guys that have a threat of knocking down shots. No one is scared of Derozan shooting a 3, and although Saric has proven he can shoot in the Euroleagues, the NBA(their athletes and their ability to close out on shooters) is far more elite in its defensive abilities. So Saric’s shooting ability is unproven at best.
If you intend to have Simmons handle the ball consistently, getting shooters around him is more important than getting a PG. I would go Hield, or to a lesser extent, Murray, if they get another top 5 pick.