2017 NBA Draft Rumors: Sixers offering two second rounders to move back into first round

After executing a colossal move to move up to the No. 1 slot in the 2017 NBA Draft, you could have forgiven the Sixers if they decided to take it easy on any more transactions. But Bryan Colangelo appears to be hard at work, and might just find a way to sneak back into the first round.

According to David Aldridge, the Sixers are trying to package their second-round picks in order to obtain another first.

Although this is usually a tough ask—first-round picks are more valuable than second-round picks—some recent developments around the league might change the dynamic.

With the league’s cap projections reportedly dipping around $3 million compared to estimates made within the last few months, teams in the back half of the first may want to avoid handing out guaranteed deals to players. If that’s the case, the Sixers and their gobs of cap space could capitalize on teams needing to preserve space for bigger fish.

Frankly, there aren’t as many guys I would consider “first-round talents” this year, and some of the interesting guys they brought in for workouts—Josh Hart, Dillon Brooks, and so forth—will probably be there when they pick in the second round anyway. Maybe Bryan Colangelo really wants a guy like Derrick White, who the team also had in for a closer look, but no one especially stood out in the group workouts. Do they take a chance on Harry Giles or swing for the fences with Semi Ojeleye? Who knows.

Either way, at least the Sixers aren’t sitting on their hands. If they feel strongly about somebody late in round one, go get him.