Under the Radar 2020 Draft Targets for the Sixers
The 2020 NBA Draft is sure to be full of surprises from the very start of the night.
When the Sixers pick at 21, there may not be an obvious choice.
Guys like Tyrell Terry, Desmond Bane, and Cole Anthony have been the hottest selections for the 76ers in recent mock drafts, but if none of those players are there at 21, the selection may be one we do not expect.
For good reason, most expect the 76ers to expend their first-round pick on a guard. Lack of floor spacing and secondary ball handlers proved to be a major downfall for the team last season. Looking at ways to combat this problem, free agency and trades may actually lead the team to find upgrades more so than the draft. D.J. Augustine is a solid veteran the Sixers have rumored interest in. Patty Mills has been brought up in trade possibilities.
If Daryl Morey thinks that there are alternative routes to acquiring solid guard play, the first-round pick could be used to solve different problems.
SF/PF Jaden McDaniels // Washington
McDaniels is a 6’10” forward with positional versatility and a lot of potential. Drafting McDaniels would likely mean being patient with his development; right now there’s a vision of what he could be and some pretty good signs that he can eventually get there.
With his length and athleticism, McDaniels has the potential to guard multiple positions in the NBA. He was an average three-point shooter during his lone year at Washington (33.9% on 4.1 attempts per game), but he shot 76.3% from the free-throw line, so improvements to the jump shot are definitely in the realm of possibilities.
Jaden McDaniels is a prospect with lots of upside in a draft with not much of it. If the Sixers want to take a bigger swing with their 21st pick, McDaniels might be the guy.
PG/SG Payton Pritchard // Oregon
Photo: Madi Mather/Emerald
Pritchard has been getting some first-round buzz lately. The senior out of Oregon had an outstanding final college basketball season, averaging 20.5 points and 5.5 assists per game. He clearly has a limited ceiling due to his lack of athleticism, but he’s a highly skilled lead guard that can contribute right away.
If the Sixers want a player who has a defined role in the rotation immediately, Pritchard would be a perfect fit.
PF/C Jalen Smith // Maryland
Smith is a big with finishing, shot-blocking, and some shooting abilities. During his sophomore season at Maryland, he shot 38.6% from three and blocked 2.4 shots per game. Smith has a fit as a backup big on almost any team in the league right now, and he has the potential to get better. The shooting ability in the NBA is what will set him apart.
Smith raised his three-point percentage by 10 percentage points on increased attempts from behind the arc between his freshman and sophomore seasons. If he continues this trajectory of improving his touch, Jalen Smith could have some solid upside.
PG/SG Malachi Flynn // San Diego State
Malachi Flynn has been getting nothing but positive reviews over the last few weeks leading up to the draft from teams around the league. It’s looking more and more like he will go in the first round. Flynn is a tough shot maker and might be the best pick and roll guard in the draft.
During the 2019-2020 season, Flynn shot 37% from three and 85% from the free-throw line. He has a good looking shot and that’s a skill that should translate well in the NBA. Malachi Flynn is an exciting prospect to keep an eye on if he’s available at 21. It’s tough to gauge how interested teams really are in him as a first-round prospect, but he’s definitely a player the Sixers could fall in love with.
We are so close to draft day and yet so little is known about this draft class. Every pick has the chance to surprise everyone, and I expect many of them will.
Lots of names have been connected to the Sixers so far, but if there’s one thing 2020 has taught us it’s this: expect the unexpected.
Featured Image: Ted S. Warren/AP Photo
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