By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
The Philadelphia 76ers picked Mikal Bridges with the 10th overall pick in the draft, but in a shocking move they dealt the Villanova star to the Phoenix Suns for Zhaire Smith and a future first-round pick. Smith attended two pre-draft workouts with the Sixers.
Sources: Suns have traded Zhaire Smith and 2021 Miami first-rounder to 76ers for Mikal Bridges.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2018
According to Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated, the 2021 first-round pick is unprotected which could bode well for the Sixers since Miami, at this point, do not have a pick in the draft and could be a lottery team that year.
In his freshman year at Texas Tech, Smith averaged 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and 45 percent from beyond the arc.
Newest 76er @zhaire_smith speaks with @ESPN's @MariaTaylor7 after being drafted. #HereTheyCome x #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/SNUpgQZtE0
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 22, 2018
“I wanted to show my ability to shoot the ball, play-make, bring the ball up, coming off screens and making the right decisions,” Smith told NBC Sports Philadelphia after his first workout at the team’s training complex.
On Wednesday, Marc J. Spears reported that the Sixers were very interested in taking Smith 10th overall after two workouts with the organization. With Smith still on board at No. 16, Philadelphia opted to part ways with Bridges and invest in Smith's upside while also receiving a future unprotected first-rounder.
‘Probably 8th grade my #AAU Coach – Coach Jones – he always told me that I was gonna be something…’
~ 6-4 + 18 y/o Zhaire Smith, the 16th overall pick in the 2018 #nbadraft who will be headed to the @sixers #NBA Pre Draft Workout + Interview >> https://t.co/1HXv9vShiL pic.twitter.com/ZP3Iptdewu
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 22, 2018
Here's what Bleacher Report had to say about Smith heading into the draft:
Smith's offensive impact and production are fueled mostly by his motor and explosiveness. The majority (22.0 percent) of his offense came off cuts, a reflection of his off-ball activity. An explosive leaper, Smith's 1.34 points per possession in transition ranked in the 90th percentile. He also used the offensive glass for scoring chances, having converted 28 putbacks, including a handful of highlight tip dunks.
As a shooter, he made 39.7 percent of his total jump shots and 18 of his 40 three-point attempts. Smith isn't a playmaker, but he did demonstrate strong vision and passing ability.
The Sixers pick at No. 26 before having three second-round picks.
