NBA Experts Project Who The Sixers Take At 21
Believe it or not the NBA draft is next week and the Sixers hold the 21st overall pick. This was actually the best case scenario as the 21st overall pick belonged to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the pick was top-20 protected, meaning if the pick had finished 1-20 the Sixers wouldn’t be drafting until the he second round. The Sixers have grown accustomed to making picks in the 20’s having made at least one pick in the 20’s since 2016.
More recently their drafting/scouting has been strong. Taking Landry Shamet at pick 26 in 2018, and Matisse Thybulle with pick number 20 last year. Both players look like real contributors at the pro level, which can be tough to find late in the first round.
Lets take a look at who some experts have the Sixers picking at pick #21
- John Hollinger: The Athletic
Cole Anthony – PG – University of North Carolina
“Anthony’s stock is definitely sinking, but at this point in the draft it might be an overreaction. He can create shots and is a pretty decent shooter from distance, two things that are in extremely short supply in Philly. The Sixers are in win-now mode, and Anthony might be able to give them bench scoring immediately. Also, analytics models that weigh AAU production would likely show Anthony as undervalued at this point.”
- Jonathan Givony: ESPN
Malachi Flynn – G – San Diego State University
“Flynn has moved up draft boards rapidly as NBA teams have gotten more exposure to him in the workout hotspot of Las Vegas, where he has spent the pre-draft process. That has helped validate the outstanding season he had as one of the best players in college basketball, as well as his fit in today’s NBA as a prolific pick-and-roll player with deep shooting range, strong decision-making and competitiveness defensively.”
- Scott Gleeson: USA Today
Tyrell Terry – G – Stanford
“While the exposure of the NBA combine wasn’t as intact this offseason due to the pandemic, Terry was one player who used the crucial assessment period – conducted mostly in a virtual capacity – to his advantage by bulking up. He also grew an inch. His three-point marksmanship is what will entice most teams looking to bolster their outside shooting.”
- Kyle Boone: CBS Sports
Desmond Bane – G – TCU
“First-rounders aren’t often spent on 22-year-old wings, but Bane should be a rare exception to that rule. He shot 43.3% from 3-point range on 575 attempts in college and rated in the 91st percentile, according to Synergy, as a spot-up scorer last season. With Philly in need of a reliable off-ball shooter who can drill deep bombs with regularity, he fits the bill of someone who, despite his age, should be worth buying into.”
- Gary Parrish: CBS Sports
Theo Maledon – G – France
“The Sixers are no longer committed to playing Ben Simmons at point guard. That makes Theo Maledon a sensible option because he’s a skilled primary ball-handler with plenty of room to grow.”
- Jonathan Wasserman: Bleacher Report
Tyrell Terry – G – Stanford
“Receiving looks in the teens, Terry also has teams in the 20s hoping he falls. We’ve heard the Sixers are interested in Terry, who’d give them another ball-handler, as well as a shooter capable of firing from deep in transition and off screens.”
- Ricky O’Donnell: SB Nation
Tyrell Terry – G – Stanford
Terry entered Stanford as the No. 88 overall recruit in the incoming freshman class before emerging as a surprising one-and-done following a standout season. Terry is a 6’3 guard whose shooting ability will serve as the foundation of his game. He made nearly 41 percent of his three-pointers on almost five attempts per game, and showed some ability to shoot off movement. He also performed well as a pick-and-roll handler (77th percentile), but his lack of burst and inability to get to the foul line means he’s likely more of an off-ball player in the league. Philly needs all the shooting it can get, and Terry provides that with the hope of more untapped upside yet to come.
- Kevin O’Connor: The Ringer
Josh Green – G – Arizona
“Green can play with anyone as a high-IQ wing who cuts, passes, and shoots like a savvy veteran. The Sixers need as many players like Green as they can find; thankfully, the 2020 draft class has plenty of options.”
- Krysten Peek: Yahoo
Kira Lewis Jr. – G – Alabama
No Write Up.
- Aran Smith: NBADraft.Net
Josh Green – G – Arizona
One of the more underrated prospects heading into draft season, Green has prototypical size and athleticism at the wing position and also shows a promising shooting stroke. A potential 3-and-D player for the next level, Green knocked down one three pointer per game on 36% shooting. While his 12 ppg doesn’t jump off the page, he showed a willingness to play within the framework of the team and appears to have a good deal of potential left to develop. Green still needs to improve as an isolation threat as his ball skills don’t stand out but he has shown a willingness to be coached since arriving from Australia and by all accounts is a mature and focused individual. Put in the right situation, Green figures to develop into a weapon from the perimeter with high level ability to run the floor and finish.
- Danny Cunningham: The Complex
Kira Lewis Jr. – G – Alabama
“As for Kira Lewis Jr., the Sixers do need to become more dynamic on the perimeter and he would help to solve that a little bit. He thrives in transition, which does fit into what the Sixers offensive philosophy tends to be when Simmons is on the floor. Lewis can create for both himself and others on the fly and when the game takes more of a halfcourt setting. With his size a little bit smaller, he could be targeted on the defensive end of the floor, but with so many plus defenders in Philadelphia, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”
- Tyler Byrum and Chase Hughes: NBC Sports
Tyrell Terry – G – Stanford
“At 6-foot-1, Terry is a bit undersized for today’s game but punches above his weight as a defender and rebounder. He is also a very good three-point shooter, this season knocking down 40.8%on 4.9 attempts per game. That’s very impressive for a freshman and could lead to some early success, likely in a second or third point guard role. It also suggests he could play off-the-ball.”
- Mike Schmitz: ESPN
Leonardo Bolmaro – G – Barcelona Spain
“Bolmaro brings the exact type of defensive toughness and energy coveted by Sixers fans and new head coach Doc Rivers. Sure, they could use more immediate shooting alongside Ben Simmons, but even if Philadelphia opts to leave him in Barcelona this season, Bolmaro is the best long-term option here. He gives the Sixers a potential point guard of the future with a two-way mentality, passing creativity and continual improvement as a shooter.”
After 13 basketball experts have the Sixers taking a guard. The most popular choice was Tyrell Terry from Stanford whom four of the thirteen experts had going to the Sixers at pick 21. The NBA Draft kicks off November 18th.
