The Philadelphia 76ers had themselves a very successful 2022 NBA Draft. They had just one pick but used it in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. In exchange for the 23rd overall selection and Danny Green, the Sixers received De'Anthony Melton.
After giving the rights to their pick to the Brooklyn Nets in the James Harden trade, the Sixers ended up receiving their pick back and sending their 2023 first-round pick to the Nets. With it, Philadelphia drafted Colorado's David Roddy and moved him to pick up a more experienced wing.
The Philadelphia 76ers have selected David Roddy with the 23rd pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Roddy, alongside Danny Green will be sent to the Grizzlies and the 76ers will receive De'Anthony Melton in return.
(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/KUsMbgx6kv
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 24, 2022
Melton, who turned 24 last month, is coming off one of his most productive seasons. In 22.7 minutes per game, he averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 40.4 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc. He will most likely fill Green's spot in the Sixers' starting lineup but could also come off the bench just like he did in Memphis.
Regardless of where Doc Rivers uses Melton, he brings tremendous defense, shooting and scoring abilities. This was a fantastic trade for the 76ers.
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76ers 2022 NBA Draft Grades
Philadelphia gets an A for their 2022 NBA Draft night.
The Sixers need players who can help them win right now. Although Tyrese Maxey, who was selected 21st overall two years ago, shows that players taken later in the first round can still be very good, history shows that it is very tough to find players of his caliber that far in the draft. Finding a more surefire player is the way to go for a team desperately looking to contend for a title.
Before the draft began, the Sixers were reportedly looking to trade Matisse Thybulle along with the 23rd pick. A trade for Eric Gordon seemed very much in play, but Philadelphia took a different route. Although Gordon's shooting would be very helpful, trading for Melton gives the 76ers someone who has a cleaner bill of health and is almost a decade younger.
Melton is relatively young and is under contract for roughly $9 million in each of the next two seasons. He has been a key player on a playoff team for two years now and should be the same for the 76ers. They needed guys who have experience in the postseason. Not only did they find one but they brought in someone who will be able to grow with the team for a long time.
Now, the Sixers get to keep Thybulle for future trades or continue to use him as a key bench player. Although Melton doesn't cover as much ground as Thybulle can, he is still a very respectable defender. Having him either with or in place of Thybulle gives Philadelphia some security.
The 76ers also made out very well because they used their most urgent trade chip. Green had to be traded this offseason because his contract is expiring and he will almost certainly not play a minute next season. Although moving off Thybulle may be a smart move, trading Green for someone who can help this season was necessary.
Overall, Melton will most likely give Philadelphia more value than anyone they could have chosen with their original draft pick. He is young and can help them in the postseason. For that clear reason, the 76ers had themselves a tremendous 2022 NBA Draft.
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