NBA Draft Predictions

You have a better chance of predicting the weather…. four months from now, than you do predicting what Sam Hinkie will do on draft night.

But not to be discouraged, we decided to get together and offer our hopeless, bound to be wrong, predictions of how tonight will shake out for the Sixers. If we are wrong, it wasn't our fault. If we are right, we are geniuses. Get it? Got it? Good.

Rob Bauer, on Twitter @YoungTrone

Hinkie came out of the gates so hard and fast during his first draft, trading then franchise point guard Jrue Holiday for Nerlens Noel, that we have all come to expect nothing but absolute excitement from the Sixers on draft night. But as last year showed us, the reality of draft night is that once the clock starts ticking, teams are far more scared of trading out of or down in the draft than they are of drafting a player that doesn't work out. My expectation is that tonight is rather uneventful. We're going to draft with the 3rd pick (I'd be happy with either PG personally), and then the 2nd round will be a flurry of moves involving picks, names, and countries that none of us can keep straight. I don't anticipate the Sixers will get back in to the first round, and I don't think the Lakers or Timberwolves have the guts to zig or zag with their picks. And, despite how fantasy Hinkie can be, wheeling and dealing to reshape our team, I'd be completely content with Russell at 3rd and no other fireworks.

James Reynolds

I really hope Russell is available when the Sixers pick tonight, because if he is it's a no brainer. If the Lakers do happen to take Russell before we can, Hinkie should take BPA like he has said and take Okafor. After all, I do think Okafor is the most NBA ready of the top 3 and he would have immediate impact. Here is my bold prediction for the night when it comes to getting back in the top 10 to get a point guard. Hinkie will find a way to get Mudiay with a package that includes a combo of picks and the rights to Dario Saric. I think Hinkie is starting to waver on Saric given his failed attempt to get him over here this year. Some experts even say Saric may never come over. I think Hinkie feels the same way and capitalizes on what I think is his most overlooked asset. Mudiay is no joke of a consolation prize compared to Russell. Many say his athleticism trumps Russell's as well.

Mike Angelina, on Twitter @MikeAngelina

I think D'Angelo Russell is the player they most want, but I fear the Lakers are quickly realizing he may be the best selection for themselves. A factor here for them are the free agents; there are more big men available than scorers like Russell.

So, that leaves Okafor there for the Sixers to select and I suspect trade. Secretly, I think they covet Mario Hezonja, so it'll be interesting to see if they can position themselves for him. But first, they select Okafor.

Patrick Causey, on Twitter @PhillySportsJD

The closer we get to the draft, the more ridiculous the reports become. Conventional wisdom had the Lakers taking Duke center Jhalil Okafor and the Sixers nabbing Ohio State point guard D'Angelo Russell. Now, the Lakers are taking Russell and the Sixers are taking Okafor, Mudiay, Porzingis or trading the pick to the Celtics for Marcus Smart and 13 other draft picks.

I don't doubt that Hinkie will try to make some moves. I don't doubt that he wants to add another first round pick to the mix, especially since the news broke that Joel Embiid's foot is healing slower than expected. I just doubt these latest reports that anything but chalk is going to happen. So here is my guess, based partly on logic/experience, and partly on wishful thinking: 1.) TimberWolves: Karl Anthony-Towns; 2.) Lakers: Jahlil Okafor; 3.) Sixers: D'Angelo Russell; 4.) New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay; 5.) Orlando Magic: Kristap Porzingis; 6.) Sacramento Kings: Mario Hezonja; 7.) Sixers (via trade with Denver): Justise Winslow.