Philadelphia 76ers are tasked with the big question of designating the no.1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. It's a choice between two outstanding players-or three?
Since the strict coverage of the 2016 NBA Draft started, only Ben Simmons of LSU and Brandon Ingram of Duke have been in contention for the no.1 spot. It's a close fight between the two, reminiscent of the 2007 Draft that which had Greg Oden and Kevin Durant significantly separated from the rest of the pack but with a very thin line between them.
The diverse career paths Oden and Durant have taken adds so much pressure on the Sixers brass to get it right. The LA Lakers, who hold pick no.2, would get a pass on taking whoever's left.
However, according to Marc Eversley, the Sixers' vice president of player personnel, they are not exactly locked in as Kentucky's Jamal Murray is an actual candidate as he shared to Keith Pompey of Philly.com.
"Jamal Murray, we certainly got a chance to see him a couple of weeks ago, Eversley said. "He's certainly going to be one of those kids who's going to be in contention for the No. 1 pick."
He concludes: "We like him a lot. He's going to bring a lot to wherever he goes in the NBA, certainly a talent."
While this is a complete surprise, Pompey places the remarks in perspective. It is true that Murray is a player that the Sixers need-a point guard who can shoot and score, the idea of drafting for need over the best player available with the first overall pick is one of the biggest mistakes a team could make. This is a Draft 101 doctrine.
So Pompey explained: "Maybe the team is talking him up as potential first overall pick to justify moving one of its cornerstones via a trade to acquire Murray. The Sixers then could tell fans that, hey, we just drafted Simmons first and Murray third - two guys we considered for the first overall pick," Pompey speculated.
Thus, it could be a safe assumption that Murray is the target of the Sixers as reported in ESPN (the one that may have started the domino of trade rumors).
The Sixers were fervently hoping that the Lakers would drop to 4th so they could have two top five picks. It didn't happen, now the Sixers have to trade for Murray.
There are numerous scenarios that could be derived in the Sixers' interest for Murray and that can dictate the direction of no.3 to no.6 picks.