The Sixer Sense
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Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be on the Sixers’ radar

By Christopher Kline

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers’ best option in the 2018 NBA Draft might not be one of the Bridges.

After 45 minutes of waiting, the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery yielded the expected outcome for the Philadelphia 76ers. They’ll head into June with the 10th overall pick, giving them a handful of intriguing options toward the back end of the lottery.

Several projections have the Sixers selecting either Mikal Bridges or Miles Bridges, who rank ninth and 13th respectively on our most recent big board. The Sixers’ lack of defensive depth on the perimeter was exposed in the playoffs and both of them would help solve those issues to some degree.

Still, the Sixers can’t prioritize straight-up wing depth without taking into account their foremost offensive weakness: halfcourt playmaking. Ben Simmons’ lack of a jumper and Joel Embiid’s inefficiency in the post killed the Sixers for most of the Celtics series.

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Philly wasn’t able to pull out a win until T.J. McConnell was inserted into the starting rotation. His dribble penetration added another dynamic to the Sixers’ offense — a dynamic they would be wise to build on through the draft.

In an ideal world, Markelle Fultz gives the Sixers a nice boost of three-level scoring at some point. Until his shoulder is healthy and he can consistently knock down outside jumpers, though, the Sixers need to plan around his limitations.

That’s what makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander such an intriguing option at the No. 10 spot. The four-star freshman was one of this season’s bigger surprises at Kentucky, quickly emerging as John Calipari’s most reliable playmaker.

While not an elite athlete, his long frame and crafty style should allow him to find success on both ends in the NBA. He’s still relatively thin, but would give the Sixers a heady defender capable of spending time on either guard spot.

Offensively, Gilgeous-Alexander is another player capable of putting the ball on the floor and generating offense via dribble penetration. Shooting consistency might be an issue, but McConnell and Fultz both spent time next to Simmons as non-shooters. Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t a non-shooter.

MORE DRAFT: 2018 NBA Draft Big Board 6.0

In a draft that lacks elite guard talent, Gilgeous-Alexander is probably the best passer in the lottery outside of Luka Doncic and Trae Young. He showed tons of growth as the season progressed, making smart reads in the pick-and-roll and dropping some impressive dimes in traffic.

As a scorer, it’s easy to picture Gilgeous-Alexander giving the Sixers some much-needed support whenever Simmons takes a seat. He has a lot of tricks around the rim, displaying a wide array of floaters and finishing moves that allow him to offset his questionable explosiveness.

Kentucky, per usual, was a young team full of high-octane athletes in the early stages of their development. Gilgeous-Alexander was their only steady hand, giving them somebody to lean on in important moments when the offense slowed down.

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He fixes some of the Sixers’ biggest offensive issues and isn’t a significant liability anywhere else. A lot of fans are expecting another 3-and-D wing on draft night, but Gilgeous-Alexander is somebody the Sixers have to look into.