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NBA Draft Rumors: 76ers expected to select D’Angelo Russell with No. 3 pick

By Josh Hill

Feb 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D'Angelo Russell (0) brings the ball up court during the 1st half of a game at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D'Angelo Russell (0) brings the ball up court during the 1st half of a game at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA Draft Lottery brought about many questions about the future of the best college players in the country, and the Philadelphia 76ers have their eyes set on one player specifically.

For yet another consecutive year, the Philadelphia 76ers have a top lottery pick and for another straight year, they’re rumored to be taking a guard with that pick. In 2013 they selected Michael Carter-Williams, last season they were rumored to be taking Dante Exum and this year they’re rumored to once again be eying a guard with their top pick.

According to USA Today draft insider Derek Bodner, it appears to be a foregone conclusion that the 76ers will draft D’Angelo Russell with the No. 3 overall pick this summer.

This makes a lot of sense given the lack of guard depth that the 76res have at the moment, but it’s also really bad news for the New York Knicks. Assuming Jahlil Okafor and Karl Anthony-Towns go No. 1 and No. 2 in the draft, that leaves the Knicks sitting at No. 4 overall with Russell still a pick away. Philadelphia taking him means the Knicks then have their choice between Emmanuel Mudiay and Justice Winslow — neither of those players are at the very top of the Knicks wish list.

Still, the 76ers need a guard, and that’s something that Russell can fill. He’s the best college guard in the country and he’s someone that the 76ers could very much use — probably as a trade chip for a future first round pick.

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