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``At long last, the 2019 NBA Draft is finally upon us. Zion Williamson is all but Sharpied into the #1 slot to the New Orleans Pelicans, Ja Morant seems primed to go 2nd to the Memphis Grizzlies, maybe the Knicks have settled on RJ Barrett with the 3rd pick. From there, nothing is certain.
Barring a trade up, the Philadelphia 76ers will not be picking in the lottery for the first time since 2012 (Mo Harkless). Instead, they are slated to pick 24th overall. The most common names tied to the Sixers at #24 include a group of five: Matisse Thybulle (F, Washington), Cameron Johnson (F, UNC), Eric Paschall (F, Villanova), Ty Jerome (G, Virginia), and Carsen Edwards (G, Purdue).
The Sixers possess a handful of 2nd round picks in addition to the 24th pick: #33, #34, #42 and #54. It wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if Elton Brand and company do something other than nab a contributor for next season: Euro stash, trade for future picks, package them to move up, god forbid sell them, etc. That said, picks #33 and #34 could be very valuable featuring borderline 1st round talent.
We’ll be updating this post live with the draft, including pick-by-pick results and breaking news regarding draft night trades, so stick with us for the evening. And until the draft kicks off, feel free to use the forum as a draft discussion thread — let me get your hottest draft takes.
For your reference: NBA Draft Order
Pick-by-Pick Results & Draft Updates
The Indiana Pacers have acquired the 32nd overall pick and TJ Warren from the Phoenix Suns (h/t @wojespn). Phoenix making a salary dump here. But it has ramifications for the Sixers: now instead of the Suns picking at #32, one spot before the Sixers’ consecutive picks at #33 & #34, it will be the Pacers.
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The Atlanta Hawks have traded picks #8, #17 & #35 to the New Orleans Pelicans for pick #4, #57 and Solomon Hill (h/t @wojespn).
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Per Woj, Atlanta is targeting De’Andre Hunter.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are sending Dario Saric and pick #11 to the Phoenix Suns for the 6th overall pick (h/t @wojespn). Wow, the Homie heading to Phoenix. Feels like just yesterday he was an asset in the Jimmy Butler trade.
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There’s been a lot of movement in the draft. As the dust settles (only to be kicked back up), Jonathan Givony of ESPN has put out an updated mock in which he has the Sixers taking Matisse Thybulle at #24 overall.
The Sixers are flush with creators and scoring at every position, but they could stand to add some defensive versatility on the wing. A player such as Thybulle, arguably the best perimeter defender in college basketball, could fit well, especially since he’s a willing ball mover who will have no issue deferring to the team’s plethora of stars.
Add the fact that he’s a senior -- and thus more in line with the Sixers’ timetable -- and he makes a lot of sense.
With the 1st overall pick, the New Orleans Pelicans select Zion Williamson (PF, Duke).
With the 2nd overall pick, the Memphis Grizzlies select Ja Morant (PG, Murray St).
With the 3rd overall pick, the New York Knicks select RJ Barrett (G/F, Duke).
With the 4th overall pick, the Atlanta Hawks select DeAndre Hunter (F, Virginia). Note: Technically the Lakers drafted Hunter but once the Lakers officially complete the Anthony Davis trade on July 6th, Hunter will officially be an Atlanta Hawk as Atlanta jumped in on the trade late this afternoon, with one stipulation being that New Orleans would re-route this pick to Atlanta for pick #8 (see above).
With the 5th overall pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Darius Garland (PG, Vanderbilt).
With the 6th overall pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Jarrett Culver (SG, Texas Tech). Note: Technically the Phoenix Suns selected Culver but the Timberwolves and the Suns reached a trade agreement this afternoon in which the T-wolves are sending the 11th pick and Dario Saric to the Suns for the 6th pick.
With the 7th overall pick, the Chicago Bulls select Coby White (G, North Carolina). (h/t @shamsCharania)
With the 8th overall pick, the New Orleans Pelicans select Jaxson Hayes (PF/C, Texas). Note: See explanation after Hawk’s pick at #4.
With the 9th overall pick, the Washington Wizards select Rui Hachimura (F, Gonzaga).
With the 10th overall pick, the Atlanta Hawks select Cameron Reddish (G/F, Duke).
With the 11th overall pick, the Phoenix Suns select Cameron Johnson (F, North Carolina). Note: See explanation after Timberwolves’ pick at #6.
With the 12th overall pick, the Charlotte Hornets select PJ Washington (F, Kentucky).
With the 13th overall pick, the Maimi Heat select Tyler Herro (G, Kentucky).
With the 14th overall pick, the Boston Celtics select Romeo Langford (G, Indiana).
With the 15th overall pick, the Detroit Pistons select Sekou Doumbouya (F, Limoges CSP/France).
***According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers are looking to move up with interest in Nassir Little and Kevin Porter Jr.
Don’t be surprised if the #Sixers snag Nassir Little or Kevin Porter Jr if available. The team is working the phones to try to trade up, but hope they fall, according to a league source.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 21, 2019
With the 16th overall pick, the Orlando Magic select Chuma Okeke (F, Auburn).
With the 17th overall pick, the New Orleans Pelicans select Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG, Virginia Tech). Note: New Orleans via Atlanta via Brooklyn.
With the 18th overall pick, the Indiana Pacers select Goga Bitadze (C, Mega Bemax/Georgia).
With the 19th overall pick, the San Antonio Spurs select Luka Samanic (PF, Olimpija Ljubljana/Croatia).
With the 20th overall pick, the Boston Celtics select Matisse Thybulle (G/F, Washington) and TRADE HIM TO THE SIXERS FOR PICKS #24 & #33.
Deal is agreed on -- and Sixers will send Boston Nos. 24 and 33 in this draft, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/XM7bHrkNH7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2019
I wanted the Sixers to draft Thybulle. I did not want them to trade up to do so, especially if it cost #33, which could end up being a very valuable pick for the Celtics. Prior to the trade, Boston was on the clock at #20, and all of the following players were still on the board: Thybulle, Grant Williams, Brandon Clarke, Kevin Porter Jr., Bol Bol, Nassir Little. Just sit back, wait for your selection and take your #1 of any of those guys while keeping #33. On one hand, I understand it: your target is your target and you don’t feel comfortable leaving it up to a pool of players. But on the other, I think you need to stay flexible and there was talent that was arguably available talent that was as promising as Thybulle. Bittersweet moment.
With the 21st overall pick, the Memphis Grizzlies select Brandon Clarke (G/F, Gonzaga). Note:
Oklahoma City will get the No. 23 pick tonight and a 2024 second-round pick in the trade, league source tells ESPN. https://t.co/4qVdrV6mOP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2019
With the 22nd overall pick, the Boston Celtics select Grant Williams (F, Tennessee).
With the 23rd overall pick, the Oklahoma City Thunder select Darius Bazley (F, Did not play college ball out of high school). Note: via Memphis via Utah.
With the 24th overall pick, the Phoenix Suns select Ty Jerome (G, Virginia). Note: via Boston via Philadelphia.
Boston is trading No. 24 to the Suns --- who are focused on taking Ty Jerome, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2019
With the 25th overall pick, the Portland Trail Blazers select Nassir Little (SF, North Carolina).
More on that Celtics/Suns trade:
The Celtics received a future draft pick from the Suns in exchange for the 24th overall choice, according to a league source.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) June 21, 2019
Hearing the Celtics may have gotten the protected pick the Bucks owe the Suns in the trade for Ty Jerome's draft rights.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 21, 2019
Sources: Boston has traded center Aron Baynes to Phoenix.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2019
With the 26th overall pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Dylan Windler (G/F, Belmont).
The Nets are sending pick #27 to the Clippers, per Woj:
Brooklyn has traded No. 27 to the Clippers, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2019
Clippers will send the Nets a 2020 first-round pick via Philadelphia and the 56th pick tonight, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2019
With the 27th overall pick, the Los Angeles Clippers select Mfiondu Kabengele (PF/C, Florida St.).
With the 28th overall pick, the Golden State Warriors select Jordan Poole (G, Michigan).
With the 29th overall pick, the San Antonio Spurs select Keldon Johnson (G/F Kentucky). Note: via Toronto.
The Cavs are looking to trade for pick #30 with eyes on Kevin Porter, per Woj.
Cavs are trading for the No. 30 pick -- and focused on Kevin Porter, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2019
The Sixers are trading pick #42 and Jonathon Simmons to the Washington Wizards for.... cash considerations, per Woj.
Sixers trading J Simmons and 42 pick for cash considerations to Wizards, according to league source.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 21, 2019
With the 30th overall pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Kevin Porter Jr. (G, USC).
That will conclude our 1st round coverage as this post is getting bulky. Head over to our 2nd round thread to continue the discussion.