- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 392,092
- Reaction score
- 43
The Philadelphia 76ers sit at 23-44 in the 2024-25 season as it appears they are headed for the lottery rather than the play-in tournament with a chance for the playoffs. With 15 games left, they will need to lose as many games as possible in order to be in the best position to keep their top 6 protected pick or else it conveys to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
If they do end up keeping their pick, there are a lot of good, young players in the NCAA Tournament who make sense around the 4-5-6 range for the Sixers. Of course, there is a chance they move into the top 3 based on lottery odds and such, but there is a better chance they stay around the aforementioned range at this point.
With that said, here are five players to keep an eye on now that the brackets have been released and the Big Dance right around the corner:
2024-25 stats: 14.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 47.2% FG, 39.2% 3-FG
While not the Duke prospect that most Sixers fans would hope for, Knueppel can put the ball in the basket and fill it from deep. His ability to relocate off the ball and find open spots from the perimeter is so impressive and he is always ready to catch-and-shoot which is a skill that not a lot of youngsters can really master. The Sixers are always in need of somebody who isn't afraid to shoot the ball and Knueppel fits that bill around guys like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
2024-25 stats: 15 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 44.8% FG, 32.9% 3-FG
Jakucionis is not the most explosive driver off the dribble, but there is hope that he can offset that with his size, strength, and basketball IQ. Also, due to the lack of explosion, it would be best for him to be paired next to a guy like Maxey who can take guys off the dribble with speed and quickness. Jakucionis has lead-guard creativity which would be a big help to the second unit and he has cold water plumbing late in games. He keeps a cool head and would be a big help to Philadelphia.
2024-25 stats: 19.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 42.7% FG, 39.2% 3-FG
A freshman for the Longhorns, Johnson knows how to put the ball in the basket, and would be a nice addition to Philadelphia at the wing spots. Obviously, the Sixers have Quentin Grimes, Lonnie Walker IV, and Justin Edwards at that spot at the moment, but a team can never have too many wings in today's NBA. Johnson scores well on the move and is an efficient 3-point shooter. He is a guy who can take over games in the blink of an eye and would be able to complement Philadelphia's stars.
2024-25 stats: 15 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.1 spg, 43.5% FG, 34.5% 3-FG
Edgecombe is ready for the NBA. His athleticism is what's going to stand out to scouts the most as he features a unique blend of speed and IQ which makes him ready for the league. He has shown point-of-attack creation and an ability to put the ball in the basket off the dribble that will allow him to adjust to NBA defenses. He's also an underrated playmaker as well as a perimeter defender which will feature well as a lead ball-handler for a second unit.
2024-25 stats: 8.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 69.3% FG
If the Sixers are thinking big, then Maluach will come to mind. Standing at 7-foot-2, Maluach is mobile in the pick-and-roll game, has soft hands which makes him an easy lob threat, and he is an elite rim protector. While Philadelphia, obviously, has Adem Bona waiting in the wings, he doesn't have the size that Maluach can offer the Sixers. He also played for South Sudan in the 2024 Olympics so he has some big game chops.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 5 players in NCAA Tournament who make sense for the Philadelphia 76ers
Continue reading...
If they do end up keeping their pick, there are a lot of good, young players in the NCAA Tournament who make sense around the 4-5-6 range for the Sixers. Of course, there is a chance they move into the top 3 based on lottery odds and such, but there is a better chance they stay around the aforementioned range at this point.
With that said, here are five players to keep an eye on now that the brackets have been released and the Big Dance right around the corner:
Kon Knueppel, Duke
You must be registered for see images
2024-25 stats: 14.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 47.2% FG, 39.2% 3-FG
While not the Duke prospect that most Sixers fans would hope for, Knueppel can put the ball in the basket and fill it from deep. His ability to relocate off the ball and find open spots from the perimeter is so impressive and he is always ready to catch-and-shoot which is a skill that not a lot of youngsters can really master. The Sixers are always in need of somebody who isn't afraid to shoot the ball and Knueppel fits that bill around guys like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
You must be registered for see images attach
2024-25 stats: 15 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 44.8% FG, 32.9% 3-FG
Jakucionis is not the most explosive driver off the dribble, but there is hope that he can offset that with his size, strength, and basketball IQ. Also, due to the lack of explosion, it would be best for him to be paired next to a guy like Maxey who can take guys off the dribble with speed and quickness. Jakucionis has lead-guard creativity which would be a big help to the second unit and he has cold water plumbing late in games. He keeps a cool head and would be a big help to Philadelphia.
Tre Johnson, Texas
You must be registered for see images attach
2024-25 stats: 19.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 42.7% FG, 39.2% 3-FG
A freshman for the Longhorns, Johnson knows how to put the ball in the basket, and would be a nice addition to Philadelphia at the wing spots. Obviously, the Sixers have Quentin Grimes, Lonnie Walker IV, and Justin Edwards at that spot at the moment, but a team can never have too many wings in today's NBA. Johnson scores well on the move and is an efficient 3-point shooter. He is a guy who can take over games in the blink of an eye and would be able to complement Philadelphia's stars.
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
You must be registered for see images attach
2024-25 stats: 15 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.1 spg, 43.5% FG, 34.5% 3-FG
Edgecombe is ready for the NBA. His athleticism is what's going to stand out to scouts the most as he features a unique blend of speed and IQ which makes him ready for the league. He has shown point-of-attack creation and an ability to put the ball in the basket off the dribble that will allow him to adjust to NBA defenses. He's also an underrated playmaker as well as a perimeter defender which will feature well as a lead ball-handler for a second unit.
Khaman Maluach, Duke
You must be registered for see images attach
2024-25 stats: 8.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 69.3% FG
If the Sixers are thinking big, then Maluach will come to mind. Standing at 7-foot-2, Maluach is mobile in the pick-and-roll game, has soft hands which makes him an easy lob threat, and he is an elite rim protector. While Philadelphia, obviously, has Adem Bona waiting in the wings, he doesn't have the size that Maluach can offer the Sixers. He also played for South Sudan in the 2024 Olympics so he has some big game chops.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 5 players in NCAA Tournament who make sense for the Philadelphia 76ers
Continue reading...
