Fansided

2018 NBA Mock Draft: The summer is decision time

By Brendon Kleen

BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: Deandre Ayton
BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: Deandre Ayton /
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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 04: Wichita State Shockers guard Landry Shamet (11) puts a move on Cincinnati Bearcats guard Cane Broome (15) in the second half of an American Athletic Conference matchup between the 10th ranked Cincinnati Bearcats and 11th ranked Wichita State Shockers on March 4, 2018 at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, KS. Cincinnati won 62-61. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS – MARCH 04: Wichita State Shockers guard Landry Shamet (11) puts a move on Cincinnati Bearcats guard Cane Broome (15) in the second half of an American Athletic Conference matchup between the 10th ranked Cincinnati Bearcats and 11th ranked Wichita State Shockers on March 4, 2018 at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, KS. Cincinnati won 62-61. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

G. Wichita State. Landry Shamet. 26. player. 93.

With the 76ers in possession of the Lakers’ lottery pick as well as their own pick in this spot, they make sense as a candidate for trading a first-rounder this year, which is becoming an increasingly rare transaction.

Philadelphia will have nearly $30 million coming off the books this summer in the form of JJ Redick and Amir Johnson, and unless they want to give them long-term money to stick around (Redick being the more likely candidate for that type of deal), they may need to trade this pick to acquire talent. Assuming they find a young contributor around No. 10 where the Lakers’ pick falls, they could still use a veteran to fill out the roster.

Historically, teams like Washington, Houston and Indiana have traded their picks in recent years to keep great teams together and compete longer. When your championship window is in plain sight, it is difficult to wait on youngsters. But what makes the Sixers an increasingly likely trade candidate is the fact that they have young, developing players already waiting in the wings, meaning there is no rush to find and draft more.

Shamet is here as a placeholder, because this is about where I believe he should be picked. He would also help Philly if they do indeed keep the pick.