Mike1989

Fair enough. I think I'd slot Wiggins and Parker at the top with Exum at three, and then Embiid. But overall I agree with your draft board. If we drafted Embiid, what would your plan be for him and Vuc? Next big man combo, trade one etc... Nelson/Rookie, Oladipo, Harkless/Harris, Vuc, Embiid - I do like the look of that line up. Should be tough defense.

Would you still have Exum at #2 if that's where the 76ers draft, even though they have MCW? I suppose he could play SG. But I honestly think the 76ers will take Parker or Wiggins to give them that scoring power and star forward they will need. Though, I won't complain if the board falls this way and when we draft at #3 and have a choice between Parker and Wiggins.

Agreed, the sheer potential and talent of that combination could see them become one of the league's most dominant guard duos. If we end up drafting outside the top four, and we assume the first four picks are Embiid, Exum, Parker and Wiggins. I wouldn't be too devastated to see us our first pick on Vonleh. The guy is huge, athletic, and has a ton of upside. Pairing him with Vuc, could form a hell of a combination for our front court. I think he is the guy we should target if we fall out of the top four, and then use our second first round pick to grab a guard.

I can't see us passing on one of Embiid, Exum, Parker or Wiggins. Those guys could arguably be the top four off the board. After those guys you might place Gordon in the same bracket as guys like Noah Vonleh, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart. But those guys are the ones that would be under consideration if we draft around #6 or #7. As for the idea, I like it. I think if we can find a way to grab another first round pick, then that would be a good idea. However, my draft picks would be something like: #3: Wiggins/Parker (SF) or Exum (PG) #12: Gordon /Saric (PF) #16: Elfrid Payton/Zach LaVine (PG) or Hood/Grant (SF)

Been reading through some mock drafts, and this one on bleacher stood out; 1. Wiggins, Bucks 2. Parker, 76ers 3. Exum, Magic 4. Embiid, Jazz 5. Randle, Celtics 6. Gordon, Lakers 7. Smart, Kings 8. Ennis, Pistons 9. McDermott, Cavs 10. Vonleh, 76ers 11. Young, Nuggets 12. Jerami Grant, Magic What would people think of that draft haul: Exum and Grant? Got to say I doubt Vonleh falls to #10, and if he did, then the 76ers are lucky to land him and Parker. What a team they could turn in to be with those two joining MCW and Noel.

Likely: Embiid, Wiggins, Parker Possibly: Randle, Smart, Exum, Vonleh, Another interesting question, how many of last year's draft would be taken top 3 in this tear's draft? And if none, then how many would be taken top 10 in this year's draft?

A deal which sees Arron Afflalo traded to Sacramento for Marcus Smart could be a good move for both teams. We would grab our future point guard, and they would have a proven starting shoot guard. The other option would be Arron Afflao traded to Sacramento for Noah Vonleah, again that move could be good for both teams. But personally I see them deciding to stay at #7, or make a bold move to trade up to grab one of the special players. If they do decide to stay at #7, they should be in a position to have a choice between Marcus Smart and Noah Vonleh. The Kings might decide to draft and keep Marcus Smart to give them flexibility when it comes to addressing Isaiah Thomas' contract this off season. By drafting Smart they could let Thomas walk, perform a sign-and-trade like they did last season with Tyreke Evans, or shift Thomas to sixth man to give them energy and scoring to their rotation. I think Marcus Smart would be a good addition to their team, and equally Vonleh could be an excellent addition, because him and Cousins could form a dominant double act in their front court. Whatever they decide to do, I am not convinced the Kings would move if Smart and Vonleah are available at #7, or if a player like Randle falls and is available at #7. That said, I wouldn't be against a trade like Afflalo for Smart, or Afflalo for Vonleh.

If we the draft stays with the current order, Vonleh shouldn't get past the Sacramento Kings. I think they would love to find a compliment to their star center, and a Vonleh-Cousins pairing in the front court could be a dominant duo. Granted they might need a point guard if Thomas walks, or is part of a sign-and-trade, but if Vonleh is on the board at #7, I think he will go to the Kings and not make it to #8. Their line up could end with a very athletic line up: Thomas, McLemore, Gay, Vonleh and Cousins. I would love to see us draft Vonleh, he would be an excellent addition to our front court. If we managed to come out of the draft with a Exum and Vonleh, or Wiggins and Vonleh type combination, we would potentially have two stars on our hands. But I think for that to happen we would need one of the following to happen: 1 - our first pick falls outside the top four; 2 - our second pick becomes a top six pick; or 3 - we trade up with a team that drafts before the Kings. I suppose a fourth could be a trade with the Kings if they do select Vonleh, and we could send someone like Afflalo and/or Nelson their way. But I think the most likely scenario for us drafting Vonleh would be our first draft pick falling outside the top four.

Hypothetically Exum turning up and lowering his draft stock wouldn't be a bad thing for us, especially if he fell to #12. Imagine walking out of the draft with Parker/Wiggins at #3 and Exum at #12. Not going to happen, but it would be nice for us to have that type of luck! B)

It's possible that a twin towers team can win. But which teams currently in the play offs are built around that style of play? The closest would probably be Memphis with Gasol and Rudolph. Houston can go big at times with Howard, Osik and co. And then I suppose you might argue that Charlotte and Dallas could be built around a big two if they pursue a free agent like Greg Monroe, Pau Gasol, or Chris Bosh (if he opts out). I can see the appeal of drafting Embiid, it would be somewhat reminiscent of our past in drafting talented centers like Shaq and Howard. But personally I would prefer Parker, Wiggins or Exum.

I think keeping hold of Jameer, at a sensible price, would be a good idea. He could be a valuable starter if the team don't draft a PG (eg Embiid/Parker/Wiggins at #3 and Gordon/Payne/Hood at #12), a decent backup if the team don't draft a PG and continue with Oladipo at PG (eg Parker/Wiggins and Gary Harris/James Young/Nik Stauskas), or a decent backup if the team does draft a PG at either spot in the first round. I'd like to see us keep Jameer and ultimately see him retire a Magic player.

For a rookie to average 16.7 ppg, 6.2 reb, and 6.3 ast, he's shown the potential to become a very good player. What the 76ers need to hope happes is that the kid pushes on and continues to improve, and not go backwards like a Tyreke Evans (though I suppose a lack of position hurt him rotating through pg, sg, sf). I think the 76ers are in an excellent position to surround him with help. They have Noel making his debut this year, [potentially] two top ten picks, five second round picks, and $30 million in cap space. And that's without trading Thaddeus Young. Potentially they could have an exciting young team, something like: - If they do a sign-and-trade with Utah involving Hayward and Thaddeus Young PG: MCW SG: Gordon Hayward SF: Parker/Wiggins PF: Vonleh/Gordon C: Norl - If they grab another first round pick in a trade involving Young PG: MCW SG: Wiggins SF: Hood PF: Vonleh/Gordon C: Noel - Or if they keep Young PG: MCW SG: Wiggins or Exum / Harris or Stauskas SF: Thaddeus Young PF: Vonleah or Gordon / Randle C: Noel The options they have going into the draft are quite enviable. It will be interesting to see what they do with Young, and whether or not they decide to package any of their second rounders to get into the first round. And with their cap space they could make a serious play for a big name free agent, so their rebuild could be quicker than some expect. I think if all goes well they could jump to the 30-odd win range like the Cavs, or even make the jump to the 8th seed if they really go for it in FA as well as the draft.

We could have as much as $21.9 million according to Basketball Insiders, but that is based off the unguaranteed nature of Nelson, O'Quinn, Maxiell and Price's contracts. Off what Orlando Magic Daily it will probably fall in the region of $10 million or so in cap space. So depending on any moves with the likes of Nelson and/or Afflalo, we might have enough to sign Stephenson. Though I'd probably rather keep the Afflalo and Oladipo combination at SG for next season, with a rookie and Nelson at PG.

Not surprised to see them extended. I think this confirms that the plan to rebuild through the draft has gone 'ok' to date, but with another two lottery picks and another year's worth of development, I would suspect the aim for next season will be to jump into the 30-win range. And after that we should be making a serious push for the 7th or 8th seed in 2015, because we will have another lottery selection and cap space to make a run in free agency. The big test will be whether the team can make the jump next season and add another ten wins to the kitty. If the team struggles and remains in the 20-win range, I wouldn't be surprised to see Vaughn shown the door, and a new head coach brought in. I think Hennigan will hold onto his role even if the team remains in the 20-win range, because the rebuilding process will still be going. But a new head coach wouldn't be surprising if the team doesn't make a jump next season.

If we did trade with the Kings, the deal could be something like: - #12 + AA or Nelson - #12 + 2015 first round pick There are two scenarios, and one could easily come up with other potential deals between the two teams, or trades involving multiple teams. What it depends on is what our FO is willing to give up to trade back into the top seven. Obviously we've seen the rumors of this team trying to find trade partners for AA and Nelson. I think the Kings could have interest in either guy. If the plan is to keep AA and Nelson, whether it is that their role will be to come off the bench or start (eg. Nelson, Oladipo, Parker/Wiggins, Vonleh, Vuc; or Oladipo, AA, Parker/Wiggins, Vonleh, Vuc, or Smart, Oladipo, AA, Vuc, Embiid etc), then the team could trade its 2015 first round pick along with this year's #12 pick. Now granted this scenario would come with the risk that the pick ends up being a top three selection, but if we managed to improve to 34-48 like the Pelicans, then our chances for the top three would be .011, .013, .016; and if we improved to 37-45 like the Knicks, then our chances for the top three would drop to .007, .008, .010. So if the plan is to begin to compete and win more games, and perhaps even try to make the jump to the 7th or 8th seed which isn't implausible based on how weak that spot is in the Eastern Conference, then taking a risk on this team grabbing 10+ more wins might be worth throwing our first round selection from next year along with our #12 pick from this year. Personally I am not convinced we will trade back up. Fingers crossed we draft no lower than #3 and #12, and that should land us two very good pieces for the team's future. If we can come out with a combination like Exum and Gordon, Parker/Wiggins and Ennis, or Embiid and Ennis etc, then I think we will have had a good draft. So I don't necessarily think there will be a need to trade up. But it would be tempting to add a combination like Exum + Vonleh, Parker/Wiggins + Smart, or Embiid + Smart, because those additions, plus any moves made in free agency, could help this team win at least another ten games or more.

A Smart, Oladipo, Harris, Buc, Embiid line up, like you say, would bring a high level of defense that would have a similar feel to the Grizzlies' style of play. I think in Oladipo and Harris there is potential scoring there, and the other three starters should be efficient scorers. With AA, Nelson and Harkless off the bench, they should bring some fire power. Granted I'd love to see the scoring power of OKC, Miami etc, but if we played tough defense like Memphis, and could get efficient offense, then that style of play can be decent to watch. Plus we could always try to sign a scorer for SF in free agency, or some sharp shooters for the bench.

Exum, Oladipo, Harris, Vonleh, Vuc I like the look of that line up. Tons of talent and athleticism. But realistically I don't see Vonleh dropping past the Kings if they stay at #7. I think we should be able to tempt them with a trade. I also wouldn't mind a line up like: Oladipo, AA, Parker/Wiggins, Vonleh, Vuc Another talented, athletic line up. I'm liking the potential options we could have for next season, and that's without any consideration for a star free agent.

Personally I'd rather not have to give up a lot to land a player like Westbrook. Yes, he's an all star. Yes, he's an excellent player. But if this team gives up its young pieces and/or draft picks for him, then this team will be built around Westbrook and whatever players we can put together to make it work. For me, I'd rather build around our young core - Oladipo, Harris, Harkless, Vuc etc - and add to them with some more highly rated young talent, and then supplement it with a star player when one hits the market. That way we keep our young talent, draft picks, and can pursue a star player due to the cap space we have. Not sure we'll grab one this off season, but I'm sure if our talented young core progresses to 30-odd wins next season, then that might be enough to tempt one of the big names in next year's free agency. That said, I wouldn't complain if we got Westbrook. But I can't see why OKC would want to get rid. Him and Durant are important to them.

So the deal would be our 12th pick for their 14th and 19th pick? That could potentially be in our favor, and would allow us to add two further young pieces. But personally I think it is more likely to see one of those picks swapped out for their 27th pick: leaving them with 12+14/19 and us with 14/19+27. It would be nice to snag an extra pick. Chicago own two first round picks as well. So if the team could do a deal for our 12th pick, then it could be a good move to make.

Agreed. It would be nice to have two top ten picks, but I think the Nuggets and Knicks sit 11th and 12th. So we'd need luck on our side to see both of them get in and two to go out. Fingers crossed we can win the lottery and get the first pick. It would be nice to be in the position to get whichever player we want. But if we end up with 3rd and 12th, we should be able to grab two good players to contribute to the team'a hopefully bright future.

Thank you, have you heard anything?

Here's a thought. I wonder if the Kings would be interested in the Nelson and Big Baby package? Nelson would give them a traditional PG, and Baby would slot in at PF. Not sure if they have the cap space for it, but if we could get a draft pick, and perhaps a player like Derrick Williams or Ben McLemore, it could be a good deal. They seem to want to make moves. Or could they be a suitor for Afflalo? He could slot in at SG and help them improve defensively.

Where would he play at the Suns? Not sure he'd start at their guard positions, and with Dragic at SG, they would be going small ball with Afflalo at SF. Charlotte is interesting, but again not sure where he will play unless they trade Henderson. I suppose he could go in at SF, but again it would be them going small. Good thing about Charlotte is they have a couple of firsts, be nice to get one.

I'm still not convinced that the team needs to trade Afflalo, unless the deal is too good to turn down. Personally I think he could still have a role to play in the rebuilding of this team. Granted he's not an elite shooting guard, but he has the skills to be a good contributor to a play off calibre team. So unless the team landed a lottery pick for him, or some stud player that a tanking team wants to get rid of, I'd consider keeping him on board. As for this deal: Thabeet probably is no better than our rotation players, Adams has the potential to be a decent role player, and Lamb has the talent to become a potential starter. But overall, I am not sure it is a good deal for us. I'd rather keep Afflalo and Nicholson.

Good on Oladipo. He's been excellent recently, especially against the Pacers he was immense.