Patrick Causey, on Twitter @PhillySportsJD
Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com was on 97.5 The Fanatic this morning with Anthony Gargano and Johnny Marks, and had some interesting things to say about the Philadelphia 76ers.
Sheridan is very plugged in to the New York scene, having covered the Knicks for years before going to the AP and ESPN. According to Sheridan, the Knicks are high on Jahlil Okafor, and if someone takes the Duke big-man before they pick, "somebody is going to take the No. 4 pick from the Knicks."
Sheridan said that Phil Jackson and company are looking to restock the cupboard given that the Knicks do not have a first round pick next year, and are without second round picks in 2015, 2016 and 2018. So if Okafor isn't there at 4, they could be looking to trade the pick for multiple first rounders, including one next season.
Enter the Sixers. Sam Hinkie has been accumulating first and second round picks like they are going out of style. In addition to the number three overall pick this year, the Sixers have five second rounders, and four first round picks next year.
Sheridan pegged the Sixers as one of the likely teams — including the Celtics — to try to package picks to move up to get the #4 pick from the Knicks.
What kind of deal might work? According to Sheridan, the Sixers could offer a first rounder from next year, plus all five second round picks this year in order to get the job done.
While it is unclear whether that is enough to entice the Knicks to do the deal, it is an interesting rumor to watch. Of course, rumors circulate like crazy leading up to the draft, so this could be a smoke screen.
But as I mentioned before, Sheridan is fairly plugged in to the NBA. He called LeBron James to Cleveland before anyone last year. So when he says that it "is more likely than not that Jackson trades the No. 4 pick before the draft," it should catch your attention.
Plus, it was never likely that the Sixers would use all four first rounders next year. That is putting a lot of eggs in one basket. So it is not out of question for the Sixers to try to move one of those picks to get back into the lottery this year.
Who could the Sixers target at 4? Perhaps they secure both Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell, as Sheridan speculated, which could give them their back court of the future. Or perhaps the Sixers grab Kristaps Porzingas with one of the picks, as Sam Hinkie is reportedly head over heels for the 7'0 Croatian.
Lots of exciting possibilities for the Sixers. We only have to wait six more days to find out how it all plays out.
