The Philadelphia 76ers are the team to watch this summer. They have about $65 million in cap space to sign or trade for players and can free up about $11 million if they so desire. It's what makes the 76ers so interesting before the 2024 NBA Draft. They could make a big trade next Wednesday or add a young player who can contribute right away. If Philadelphia opts to keep the 16th pick, players like Ron Holland II, Devin Carter, or Ja'Kobe Walter project as great fits for the Sixers.
Is Ron Holland too talented to pass up?
The biggest wild card of the 2024 NBA Draft might be G League Ignite's Ron Holland II. Holland was the second-ranked prospect in the 2023 high school class and a candidate to go first overall before the season. But a poor season from Ignite and a lackluster season shooting from distance by Holland has his stock all over the place.
It seems as if Holland's draft range starts at the bottom of the top ten and could extend outside of the lottery. If he drops outside of the top 14, he would fit what general manager Daryl Morey looks for: stars. Holland's talent level is not one that should fall outside of the lottery. He averaged 22 points per-36 minutes with a true shooting percentage above league average and can defend well too.
The 76ers can go in any direction with this 16th pick. Joel Embiid is the only player on the roster that has a guaranteed contract for next season. Tyrese Maxey will get re-signed in the summer too. But it is a blank canvas outside of those two. Morey can attack any position and any archetype he wants. If Holland falls to them, his ceiling could be the highest of anyone available to them.
Devin Carter the rising star
There may not be a player who has helped themselves more during the pre-draft process than Providence's Devin Carter. Carter broke out for the Friars this year in his third season of college ball. He averaged career-highs in literally every statistic save for steals and blocks. Carter was no slouch in those departments either. The 2.8 stocks (steals + blocks) are outstanding for a 6-foot-3 guard.
It isn't always ideal to pair two small guards together, but Carter can make it work with Maxey in this instance. Carter is an absolute pest defensively who can cover for Maxey on that end. He also shot 37.7% from three in his final year of college ball, so he can spread the floor for Philly's two stars.
In addition to that, Carter is a tenacious competitor. The 76ers need a little more of that feistiness on the court. Carter likely won't be available for the Sixers at the 16th pick, but if he is, they shouldn't hesitate to draft him.
A two-way two-guard
Another guard who would fit well with the 76ers is Baylor's Ja'Kobe Walter. Walter fits the bill of a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope type of guard. He wasn't asked to create much offense for himself at Baylor and that isn't his strong suit. But, he can defend well, move without the ball, and hit catch-and-shoot jumpers.
Walter' skillset and size at 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds make him a great fit next to Maxey as well. The Sixers don't have any wings or big guards currently on their roster, so they could us a player like Walter. He'd make for a great selection with the 16th pick in the NBA Draft for Philadelphia.
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