Daryl Morey hints at 76ers’ plans for 2024 NBA Draft

Morey dismissed the narratives about this year’s draft class being bad, saying that he’s “very excited” with who could be available at the 16th pick. In recent history, that selection has produced several good players, namely Alperen Sengun, Terry Rozier and Jusuf Nurkic. The Sixers, in fact, owned the 16th overall pick in 2011 and drafted Nikola Vucevic, who would go on to make two All-Star teams with the Orlando Magic. 

While much of the distance over this year’s class is pointed toward the top of the draft, where there are no sure-fire star-level prospects, the 2024 class is much less heralded than previous draft classes. Even 2025 is more hyped up. Nonetheless, young, NBA-ready talent is out there for the teams with a keen enough eye.

76ers have numerous options for 16th pick in 2024 NBA Draft

The 76ers, Morey said, “have all options on the table.” Including their first-rounder in a trade makes a lot of sense, especially since that’s what they did in 2022. They sent the 23rd overall pick (plus Danny Green for salary-matching purposes) to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for De’Anthony Melton, who became a key rotation player right away. But having developing players to turn to is also beneficial. “I do like having a good core of young players,” Morey said.

Morey pointed to Paul Reed and Ricky Council IV as the key members of that young core. He said that it’s good to have “a few young players who are pushing your vets,” which both of them have done. Reed, who was drafted 58th overall in 2020 and has developed into the Sixers’ primary backup center for Embiid, and Council, who went undrafted last year and earned a standard contract by the end of his rookie season, are two of the biggest hits that Morey’s Philly front office has had in the draft.

Drafting Tyrese Maxey with the 21st overall pick in 2020 is perhaps Morey’s best draft pick in his long career as an NBA executive. Even spotting the talent of Isaiah Joe at the 49th overall pick in 2020 was also a great move even if the Sixers didn’t keep him for long enough to utilize his skills. Under Morey, Philly has shown an ability to spot good prospects and, for the most part, develop them.

If the 76ers do stand pat at the 16th pick and intend to make a selection, they could target a wing such as Dalton Knecht or Johnny Furphy, whose shooting would give them immediate on-court value while they develop in other areas. They could look for backcourt depth in options such as Jared McCain, Devin Carter or Isaiah Collier. There are a good number of prospects who could become a valuable role player.

The Sixers also have the 41st overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, which they acquired in a trade with the Boston Celtics for Jaden Springer, the 28th overall pick in 2021 who has taken too long to develop for Philly’s liking. The draft will be held on June 26th and 27th, with the first and second rounds each getting their own days, at Barclays Center.