NBA Draft 2015: Grading the Philadelphia 76ers' Picks

As much as we all hated report card day growing up (well, at least most of us), everyone is quick to hand out the grades as soon as the draft ends. And while evaluating players before they step on an NBA floor is a largely speculative exercise, it's never too early to analyze the potential - and potential fit - of a team's draft haul.

Matt Moore of CBSSports.com and Chris Mannix of SI.com both gave Sam Hinkie and Co. an A- for the selection of Jahlil Okafor. In his draft breakdown, Moore expressed concerns about the suddenly crowded Sixers' frontcourt:

It's not who they wanted, but Okafor was the best player available. Philadelphia now has Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid and Okafor. That's too many bigs. Something's got to give, but the Sixers didn't overthink this in terms of talent.

Moore had less-than-complementary things to say about most of the 76ers' picks, but he did hand out a B for the J.P. Tokoto selection:

Can't finish and the shot is a work in progress, but he actually has some potential to be a steal with his combination of skills.

While Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports wrote that Okafor was one of the losers in the 2015 draft (due to the Sixers' logjam at the center position), he still gave the Sixers an A for drafting the 6'11" big man:

How did Okafor enter the college basketball season as the consensus No. 1 overall pick, put up huge numbers in leading Duke to a national title and still slip from No. 1? Concerns about his pick-and-roll defense and free-throw shooting is the most obvious explanation. The 76ers already have former top-five picks Nerlens Noel and and Joel Embiid, but they couldn't resist adding Okafor too when he fell to them. Now they have to either find a trade partner or hope that Okafor's array of polished low-post moves outweigh his other flaws.

Both Scott Gleeson of USA Today and Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report gave the Sixers a B grade overall. Wasserman especially liked the selection of Bowling Green PF Richaun Holmes with the 37th pick:

His game is all about athleticism, face-up quickness and activity around the basket, where he can finish, rebound and block shots.

It wouldn't be surprising if Holmes emerged as a role player for the Sixers next season.

On SB Nation's draft report card, Kevin O'Connor grades the Okafor selection a B in terms of fit and an A in terms of opportunity:

Okafor is a rare talent with his ability to score on the low post with a plethora of moves... If the opponent double-teams him, he's a terrific passer who can deliver accurate kick out passes to open shooters.

The 76ers are in a precarious position due to the uncertainy surrounding Joel Embiid, so Okafor gives them a second option as a low post scoring big man. Still, it could be difficult to pair Okafor with Embiid... The 76ers will need to load up on three-point shooters at the wing and guard positions to make this work.

ESPN's Chad Ford didn't offer a specific grade, but he listed the Sixers as one of his losers in the draft (Insider only):

[The Sixers] settle for the guy who, while talented, doesn't fit a need and doesn't have the transcendent talent they need. And for the third straight year they draft a center. At least he's not an injured one. With no guards or wings to really build around, the Sixers still seem years away from being anything more than a perennial loser in the lottery.

Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York disagrees, giving the Sixers a thumbs up for their draft night activity:

Who knows what they'll do with Holmes, Gudaitis, Tokoto and Mitrovic in the immediate future but this draft is all about landing Okafor, who is another young asset for Sam Hinkie.

The analysis and hot takes figure to continue over the coming weeks and months, so if nothing else, the Sixers have given us plenty to talk about.