NBA Draft Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers covet Andrew Wiggins

The third-overall pick was probably not what the Philadelphia 76ers had in mind a few months ago.

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At times, the 76ers trotted out lineups that may not have produced much in the D-League. The 76ers traded point guard Jrue Holiday before the season, then dealt swginman Evan Turner, big man Lavoy Allen and center Spencer Hawes during the season. The 76ers suffered through a 26-game losing streak, but still only finished with the second-worst record and wound up with the third-overall selection after the Cleveland Cavaliers jump to number one.

Although the 76ers are position to get one of former Kansas Jayhawks’ center Joel Embiid, his college teammate, Andrew Wiggins, or former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Jabari Parker, they may not get the player they truly desire. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix projects the 76ers to take Parker with the third-overall selection, but points out Wiggins is the player they really covet.

"The Sixers covet Wiggins, according to a source, but will take Parker, a prolific scoring forward who will immediately upgrade one of the NBA’s worst offenses. Teams that have seen the former Blue Devils standout haven’t been wowed by his conditioning — several executives remarked that while he wasn’t overweight, his physique lacked definition — but Parker proved at Duke that he has NBA-level scoring ability."

Wiggins averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game for the Jayhawks last season while shooting 44.8% from the field, 34.1% from beyond the arc and 77.5% from the free throw line. Wiggins is ranked as the top prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express and is projected to go number one overall.

Recent reports have suggested the Cavaliers may be leaning toward Embiid with Wiggins still being an considered while Parker likely may no longer be in consideration.

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