The NBA Draft Lottery is over. While it was fun fantasizing for a few days about the possibility of the Sixers getting the top pick, reality has set in, and the Lottery has spoken. The Sixers will be picking 11th in this year's NBA Draft, which will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 27th at 7 o'clock. Despite the fact that this draft class lacks the star power of some of the drafts in the past, I can still see the Sixers picking a player at the 11 spot who can immediately contribute to the team. The Sixers have an obvious hole to fill in their frontcourt – the re-signing of Andrew Bynum seems more unlikely by the day, and the other options on their current roster for the center position are Spencer Hawes, Lavoy Allen, and Kwame Brown. None of the latter names that I mentioned will suffice if the Sixers are serious about building a contender. This draft class, however, has a few big men that could not only fall to the Sixers at 11, but also solve the issue that is presented in their frontcourt.
Cody Zeller – Indiana (7'0, 240)
Zeller had the chance to enter last year's draft, but decided to return to the University of Indiana for his sophomore year. Zeller enjoyed a phenomenal sophomore campaign (16.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.3 bpg), and burst onto the college basketball scene as arguably the best all-around center in the nation. He was a second team All-American, First Team All-Big Ten, and a First Team Academic All-American. The guy has as high a basketball IQ as any other player in the draft, and has the talent to go with it. He is aggressive on the block as he uses his monstrous 7-foot height to his advantage. Many experts have also noted that Zeller was one of the best screen-and-roll big men in college basketball last season. This is what the Sixers could use. Watching Spencer Hawes give Jrue Holiday some of the worst screens this season that I have ever seen, I'm sure Cody Zeller would be a huge improvement and a much needed one as well. Jrue would be that much more dangerous if he had a big man who could free him up with a screen on a consistent basis. This would be a popular pick in Philly, if Zeller falls to the 7-6 at pick 11.
Alex Len – Maryland (7'1, 255)
Despite a pedestrian 11.9 ppg and 7.8 rpg, Len has shown his worth on the big stage. When he played toe-to-toe against college basketball's most dominant center and most likely the number one pick in this year's NBA Draft, Nerlens Noel, Len showed up to play in a huge way. He scored 23 points to go along with 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, all while holding Noel to just 4 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Also, when Maryland upset then top ranked Duke, Len carried the team with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks, as well as containing Duke's star center Mason Plumlee to just 4 points. Len has the potential to be dominant on both ends of the court. His 7'1 frame and his huge wingspan will benefit him whether he is on offense or defense. Offensively, he plays smart. He towers over most players, and has the vision to see open passing lanes when they present themselves. Len needs to work on his consistency however. As his numbers show, Len could be steaming hot in one game, and ice cold the next. Despite this factor, if Len falls to the Sixers at 11, he would be able to step in and fill their need at center immediately.
Kelly Olynyk – Gonzaga (7'0, 238)
Olynyk was the face of Gonzaga's top seeded men's basketball team this season, averaging 17.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, and 1.1 bpg. Olynyk was a First Team Academic All-American this season, and he led Gonzaga to the school's first 1-seed in school history. Olynyk is very quick on the offensive side of the floor, this created problems with many of his opponents this season. His footwork is superb, and he has a beautiful touch around the basket. However, his size lends him to be a liability on the defensive end of the floor. When going up against NBA centers, you need to be ready to play physical on a consistent basis. This was Olynyk's problem last season. When he had a physical advantage over his opponents, he would dominate, almost with ease. But he did not play with that same physicality at a consistent level. Olynyk could help the Sixers with his offensive game, but his defense will need some work.
The center position is what the Sixers need to address on June 27th, and I am confident that one of these players will be there for them to take. Hopefully it's Zeller, but if not, there are many other big men for them to choose that could step in and have an immediate impact on the team.
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