Sixers Use Pick Swap with Kings to Land No. 3 Pick

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.