Almost two weeks from this year’s NBA draft, certain names are popping up repeatedly as Sixers mock draft selections with pick No. 28.
Let’s review what’s been out there recently:
Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today Sports
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Tre Mann, Florida
Kalbrosky: “When it comes to shot creators, there are few more exciting than Florida’s Tre Mann. After a slightly underwhelming freshman campaign, Mann was able to literally grow nearly two inches and also improve his draft stock quite a bit during his sophomore season.”
Mann is a shifty, creative playmaker. He boosted his shooting numbers dramatically in Year 2 at Florida — and on a much higher volume than his freshman season — converting 40.2 percent of his three-point shots and 83.1 percent of his free throws. Though Mann has room to refine his decision-making and overall game, the 20-year-old has a knack for generating his own offense.
NBA
Trey Murphy III, Virginia
Norlander: “It's plausible, now, that Murphy goes in the first round. This was unthinkable a year ago and NEARLY unthinkable five months ago. From Rice to Virginia to the NBA. Fascinating path, all the more so because he wasn't declared eligible until right at the start of last season. Murphy was one of only two players to shoot 50/40/90 last season. ... I have to put a top-30 assessment on a player like that, all the more when you factor in his length and perimeter defense proficiency. This is a good draft night story.”
Draft evaluators never want to be swayed excessively by a player’s rapid rise, but Murphy has a game that should catch the eye of the high-end playoff teams picking late in Round 1. He appears to have one elite skill and useful complementary tools. That sort of package is a nice one in theory for organizations looking to add good role players. We wrote more about Murphy here.
Raphielle Johnson, NBC Sports Edge
Jaden Springer, Tennessee
Johnson: “The biggest question that the 76ers will need to answer this offseason is whether or not they believe that Ben Simmons will be the team's point guard for years to come. … But even if he remains the answer there's still a need for additional depth at the point. Springer, who shot 43.5% from three during his freshman season, will need some time when it comes to playmaking at the NBA level. But with Simmons, Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton all under contract for the foreseeable future, Philadelphia can afford to take its time with Springer's development.
Though he won’t turn 19 years old until September, Springer is a strong, athletic guard with promising qualities for an NBA defender. He’s a sharp lateral mover and had a 2.7 steal percentage and 2.0 block percentage. As Johnson notes, Springer is a work in progress as a facilitator (2.9/2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio). Like with so many prospects, shooting might be a “swing skill” for Springer. That 43.5 percent mark came on just 46 attempts, and he does not have the smoothest jumper.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova
Braziller: “Yes, there are athleticism and positional questions. There was a similar sentiment about former Villanova stars Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, too, and their shot-making and basketball IQ are similar to Robinson-Earl’s entering the league.”
The Sixers shouldn’t draft Robinson-Earl only because he’s a Villanova product, but Jay Wright’s program sure seems to produce players that could help the hometown NBA squad (as well as many other teams). Robinson-Earl might have been viewed as a “tweener” a decade ago, but his ability to guard multiple positions is attractive in the modern game.