It looks like Ben Simmons isn’t the only top-rated prospect the Philadelphia 76ers are coveting in this year’s draft.
According to a report by Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports on Wednesday, the Sixers love Providence guard Kris Dunn and could target him if they acquire another pick in the top five.
Hearing Philadelphia absolutely loves Providence's Kris Dunn. Could be Sixers' target if team acquires another top-five pick. #pcbb
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 15, 2016
The Sixers hold the No. 1 overall pick and are almost all but certain to take LSU’s Ben Simmons at that spot. But thanks to former general manager Sam Hinkie, their cupboard is fully stocked with valuable assets (including picks No. 24 and 26 in this year’s draft) that the team could package together to nab another top-five selection.
Philadelphia’s interest in Dunn is fathomable given that they have lacked a reliable floor general since the departure of Jrue Holiday. Dunn checks off all the boxes on the holy trinity of point guard skills (scoring, playmaking, and defense) and would be an ideal cog to take pressure off and get the ball to the Sixers’ nucleus of young bigs.
While the jury is still out on how Dunn might fit alongside another ball-dominant distributor like Simmons should Philadelphia wind up nabbing both of them, having multiple facilitators on the floor at all times is all the rage in basketball these days, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
The Sixers certainly have the tools to land Dunn, especially if they are serious about a trade of Nerlens Noel and/or Jahlil Okafor as rumored. We’ll see if they truly believe Dunn’s upside is enough to incentivize pulling the trigger.
Image Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
H/T NBA Reddit
