’Tis the season for NBA mock drafts! ESPN’s Draft Analysts, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, posted their latest mock which includes updated intel from around the league — including your Philadelphia 76ers. Givony linked the Sixers to two prospects: Duke’s Jared McCain and Colorado’s Tristan Da Silva.
Starting off with McCain, who Givony mocks to the Sixers at No. 16 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, now just one week away:
“McCain appears to be firmly inside the top 20 at this point, earning a green room invitation and having enjoyed a positive pre-draft process. There’s interest in him from teams in the late lottery, and the Heat, 76ers and Lakers are all possibilities, creating what looks like a narrow range.
As an excellent shooter with impressive intangibles that have bolstered his case in the short and long term, McCain is well-prepared for an NBA adjustment and could be on a faster track to making an impact than your typical freshman. His ability to play both backcourt spots intelligently and provide immediate spacing has plenty of appeal to any team in need of shooting or guard depth.
If the 76ers keep this pick — which they may instead use as a trade chip — that type of skill set would make a lot of sense next to Tyrese Maxey. — Woo”
To get familiar with McCain, check out our draft profile found here.
McCain would be a solid pick for the Sixers, especially if the bigger names don’t fall. McCain is one of the best shooters in this draft and has a well-rounded offensive skillset. He’s more of a shooting guard than a traditional point guard, but he’d be an excellent fit offensively alongside Tyrese Maxey. Defensively, there are some concerns on how that theoretical backcourt would fare in big minutes due to a lack of size but it’s not something that the Sixers would be concerned with in the short-term.
Givony and Woo linked the Sixers to one other prospect in the first round, Colorado’s Tristan Da Silva, who they had going to the Los Angeles Lakers just one pick later:
“Da Silva was a surprising omission from the NBA’s early green-room list, but he may still earn an invitation, with firm interest in inside the top 20. He has interest as high as Memphis at No. 9, but will likely fall into the next range, where an array of playoff-caliber teams, including the Kings, Heat, Sixers, and Lakers, are all interested in his services.
Da Silva’s versatility at either forward spot on both ends and reliable 3-point shooting give him a good pathway to minutes next season, although his ceiling isn’t perceived quite as high as some of the younger players in this range.”
For info on Da Silva, check out our draft profile found here.
Da Silva is arguably one of the safer candidates in the top-20, presenting a higher floor and lower ceiling than other prospects in said range. For his size, he’s a gifted shooter and has drawn comparisons to Cam Johnson. However, he lacks athleticism and defensive tenacity to label him a true 3-and-D forward.
I wouldn’t put Da Silva at the top of my Sixers-centric draft board, but he presents a safe option if the big names go and the Sixers can’t find a deal for a veteran. He’d slot in nicely as a forward next to Embiid, offering floor spacing and a small splash of playmaking.
We’re mere days away from the NBA draft, so expect to get an even better understanding of what the Sixers could do in the near future.