Mock draft roundup: With draft night near, who are Sixers projected to take?

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Since our mock draft roundup last week, the Rockets have acquired the 26th pick and the Nuggets have added No. 30. 

The Sixers still hold No. 23, though no one would be stunned if they deal away that selection (after making it). Here’s an overview of recent mocks ahead of the real thing Thursday night in Brooklyn: 

Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer 

Blake Wesley, Notre Dame 

O’Connor: “The Sixers are exploring trades involving this pick and Danny Green, according to sources. … If they end (up) trading the pick, I’d imagine a raw, high-upside player like Wesley would have wide appeal. If the Sixers keep it, taking a swing could pay off since they don’t have a first again until 2024 after the Nets deferred this year’s pick to take Philly’s 2023 selection instead. That’s a bet that the Sixers will be worse.”

Jeff Goodman, Stadium 

Blake Wesley, Notre Dame 

Goodman: The South Bend product exploded onto the scene out of nowhere this season. Wesley didn’t shoot it well from deep, but he did everything else. He’s a strong, athletic wing with good size who can put it on the floor, get to the basket and also pull up from mid-range.”

Wesley is like G League Ignite’s Jaden Hardy in that he’s a teenage guard with intriguing pace-shifting flashes and scoring talent who was inefficient in his only post-high school season. Wesley’s shot will require work; his jumper is a tad crooked and left-leaning, and his free throw percentage was a subpar 65.7. He’d be a developmental pick. 

Kyle Irving, Sporting News 

Kennedy Chandler, Tennessee

Irving: “The 76ers were severely lacking playmaking and scoring off the bench behind James Harden and Tyrese Maxey. Chandler could fill both of those holes as a lightning-quick guard who is aggressive as a scorer and decisive as a playmaker. As his freshman season went on, he also started to knock down 3-pointers with more consistency. Add to it that he's a pesky on-ball defender and Chandler has all the makings of a solid backup point guard behind Philadelphia's starting backcourt.”

When the Sixers had 6-foot-10 Ben Simmons, it was easier to envision the team working around the defensive challenges of playing a small guard prospect. Though Chandler appears to have potential as a disruptive, irritating defender, it’s tough to earn postseason minutes as a 6-foot, 172-pound player. 

Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation 

Most likely pick: Nikola Jovic, Mega Mozzart 

Best pick: Ochai Agbaji 

O’Donnell on why Jovic is the most likely pick on the board: “There have been rumors Philly could shop this pick as a sweetener in a deal for veteran help, which makes sense. If they do keep the selection, adding an offensive talent like Jovic would be a great addition for the front court long-term. Jovic is a 6’11 Serbian forward comfortable playing out on the perimeter with a deep bag of scoring tricks. His defense will be an eyesore for the early part of his career, but the shot-making and ball handling at that size should translate.”

O’Donnell on why Agbaji is the best pick on the board: “Agbaji will likely be long gone by this pick, but his 3-and-D skill set could be a nice replacement for Danny Green after he tore his ACL.”

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Brian Brennan broke down Jovic’s game here. Perhaps the 22-year-old Agbaji will slip slightly, but No. 23 would be a surprising fall. Villanova fans will recall Agbaji drained 6 of 7 three-pointers against the Wildcats at the Final Four. 

David Cobb, CBS Sports 

Jalen Williams, Santa Clara 

Cobb: “Williams' statistical profile from his junior season at Santa Clara stands out, as he averaged 18 points on 39.6% 3-point shooting and 55.1% 2-point shooting while also dishing out 4.2 assists per game. How he'll translate to the NBA after playing in the WCC for a team not named Gonzaga is a fair question. But at this point in the draft, he's worth a shot.” 

Williams was invited to the green room at the draft. While that doesn’t guarantee anything, it suggests that shining throughout the pre-draft process has given him a good chance of being taken in the teens. 

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