The 2018 NBA draft is now in the books and boy was it a hot little number.
Despite the first six picks going almost entirely to chalk, the night was filled with a lot of excitement and the ones pouring gasoline on the fire were Brett Brown and the 76ers.
The Sixers made some big moves in the draft and walked away better in the short term and long term. They may have pissed off some fans in the process, but most of those same fans wanted the Sixers to trade up for Kris Dunn two years ago, so let’s put their outrage in perspective.
With all that said, here’s my take on all of the Sixers draft night moves:
Sixers draft Mikal Bridges 10th overall, trade for 16th pick (Zhaire Smith) and 2012 Miami unprotected first round pick
COLD. BLOODED.
That’s the best way to describe this move.
Mikal Bridges was a dream fit for the Sixers. You couldn’t create a more perfect prospect unless you were Sam Hinkie working with some kind of super A.I. Bridges going tenth to the Sixers has been the expectation for practically months now. And that’s what made the trade so surprising.
Just as Mikal Bridges was celebrating his NBA future with his mom, who is a member of the Sixers HR, news broke that he had been traded to the Phoenix Suns for Zhaire Smith and an unprotected 2021 Miami first round pick. Sixers fans were pissed. Right when it seemed like the prodigal son was coming home, he was shipped off to Phoenix for a five year old and a first round pick that’s a million years away.
I was shocked when I heard news of the trade, but honestly, I was kinda happy.
I had no problems with the Bridges pick, but it wasn’t a pick that excited me. He would’ve been able to contribute for the Sixers from day one, but his ceiling is low and he doesn’t really offer anything the Sixers don’t already have. They need three point shooting, but they also need wings who can create offense.
I was content with Bridges, but I’m legitimately excited about Smith. I’ve previously written about Smith, and I’ll do so some more in a little, but anytime you can trade a low upside 21 year old for a high upside 19 year old and an unprotected first round pick, you make that deal. Especially when that 19 year old was the number two player on your board by the slimmest margin. Mikal Bridges was a great story, but this trade is even better.
The unprotected first is the most intriguing part of this entire trade. The year is important because 2021 might be the year the NBA completely removes one and done and allows players to go straight from high school to the draft.
The pick is absolutely going to be used to get a star, the only question is who?
Sixers acquire Zhaire Smith 16th overall
Trading back six picks to get the draft’s most athletic player, who turned 19 this month, is never a bad thing. While there are questions over how much he’ll be able to contribute from day one, Smith very well could end up being the steal of this draft.
The 6’4 wing is a high motor player, who’s lightening in transition and liable to slam back any missed shot. There aren’t many players Smith’s size who can work the offensive glass as well as the Texas Tech product. His 6’10 wingspan also makes him a quality target on lobs and oops.
Smith’s offense will need some time to develop due to his untested three point shot and his inability to create offense for himself, there’s shouldn’t be any worries about his defense. Smith’s quickness, athletic ability, and long arms make him capable of guarding multiple positions. He’s also a very instinctive defender and great at clogging up passing lanes.
Going into next season, I expected Smith to be a high energy defensive stopper off the bench while he tries to improve his offensive short comings and further develop his game. Brett Brown has already stated that his three point shot is farther along than most realize, which is very encouraging to say the least. He even went as far as comparing Smith to Kawhi Leonard.
I felt good about this pick at first, but since hearing Brown’s comments, I’m ecstatic.
Sixers draft Landry Shamet 26th overall
The Sixers need three point shooters. Landry Shamet was one of the best three point shooters in college basketball. That’s pretty much all there is to it.
Shamet plays on the wing just like Smith, but carries with him a much higher floor. He can hit from anywhere on the floor, is capable off ball, and can create a little for himself off the dribble. His passing is also an underrated aspect of his game which could help him become a secondary ball handler and facilitator.
His lack of upside stems mostly from his limited athleticism. He has good size standing in at 6’5, but he needs to pack on some weight. There are also questions about how much he can contribute on the defensive end. Coming from a school like Wichita, I’d like to believe that his defensive fundamentals are all in check, but he will have a difficult time staying in front of more athletic wings.
Still, the Sixers drafted Shamet for his three point shot. He’ll serve as a good compliment to Ben Simmons while he tries to figure out ways he can contribute outside of his three point shot.
Sixers draft Khyri Thomas 38th overall, Isaac Bonga 39th, trade both for future seconds
These trades were all about future acquisitions. They may not seem like much on the surface, but second round picks are what get trades done.
I was happy with the Khyri Thomas selection, but I’m not heart broken to see him go. As a Process believer, I know there’s no point in crying over traded seconds.
The Sixers managed to acquire three second round picks in these deals. Couple that with the unprotected Miami first and the Sixers have some trade ammunition to work with. Although nothing seems imminent, and Im sure the team will test the free agent waters first, these trades show that the team definitely has something bigger on their mind.
Sixers trade the 56th and 60th overall picks to the Mavericks for the rights to Shake Milton
The question stands whether he’ll actually make the team or not, but Shake Milton is a great value pick for the Sixers. Milton was a projected first round pick, with some even expecting him to go as high as the teens, but fell, I believe, due to doubts about his upside.
He reminds me a little of Shamet in that his three point shot is his selling point and he’s limited athletically, which also limits his overall upside. However, Milton’s three point shot isn’t nearly as clean as Shamet’s.
Milton is 6’5 205lb with a 6’11.5 wingspan and played predominantly point guard at SMU. He’s limited as a passer and a ball handler, but can create enough for himself from three. His frame also lacks muscle, which should make things difficult when trying to get to the net against bigger guards and wings.
He should be able to guard multiple positions due to his size, but has yet to do so to this point. Unless Brett Brown and the Sixers coaching staff can unlock something hidden in Milton, I don’t think he’ll be anything more than a three point shot off the bench. Of course, that’s only if he can actually make the team.
Snowballs & Batteries 