The Philadelphia 76ers used their pick swap rights to switch positions with the Sacramento Kings at Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery and will now pick third in the June 22 draft.

“I am excited that we got the No. 3 pick as we continue to add to our young core of rising stars,” Philadelphia 76ers Managing General Partner Josh Harris said in a press release. “We want to build a team that can contend for a championship, and tonight gives us a tremendous opportunity to add another talented player to our roster.”


The Sixers, who finished with the fourth-worst record in the NBA this past season, entered the draft with a 11.9 percent chance of landing the first choice and a 53.1 percent chance of two top-seven picks. The Boston Celtics, who own the Brooklyn Nets’ first pick, will draft first, while the Los Angeles Lakers will pick before the Sixers are able to make their selection. “Tonight was a great night as we continue to build our team into a contender,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo said. “There really was no way to walk out of here disappointed given the possible outcomes we faced. We'll now zero in and focus on drafting a quality player at No. 3 who adds to our dynamic young core. We also now have clarity that we'll have a 2018 unprotected pick from the Lakers.” Many consider this year’s draft to be very deep, and while the Sixers most likely will not get the chance to draft top prospects Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball, who are expected by many to be the top two players off-the-board.  They could have their sights set on players like Josh Jackson of Kansas, Jayson Tatum from Duke, Dennis Smith Jr. out of North Carolina State or Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox - both from Kentucky. This is the fifth time the Sixers will pick third (2015, Jahlil Okafor; 2014, Joel Embiid; 1995, Jerry Stackhouse; 1988, Charles Smith). Philadelphia will have five total picks in June, in addition to the No. 3 overall pick, their own four second-round selections -  No. 37, 39, 46, and 50 overall. Joel Embiid, who represented the Sixers at the lottery said afterwards he would like to see the Sixers add a point guard.

NBA Draft lottery order

1. Boston Celtics
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Phoenix Suns
5. Sacramento Kings
6. Orlando Magic
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
8. New York Knicks
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Sacramento Kings
11. Charlotte Hornets
12. Detroit Pistons
13. Denver Nuggets
14. Miami Heat

 

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