The 76ers will once again be a team to watch this offseason, starting with the NBA Draft.
MORE: NBA playoffs: J.R. Smith says Cavs are expecting 'dirty plays' from Celtics
Philadelphia has the No. 3 pick. While the team could take a player, president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo left open the possibility of trading the pick if the right opportunity presents itself.
“It’s good to be at three,” Colangelo said Friday, via CSNPhilly.com. “We’re excited about the pick. We think we’re going to add a great player or we’re going to have some leverage in discussions with other teams about certain situations that we might entertain.”
Colangelo also brought up center Jahlil Okafor. The former lottery pick has come up in trade circles in recent seasons. With Joel Embiid finally healthy most of last season and playing at a high level, the 76ers may choose to trade Okafor.
“I want to find a situation that’s great for us and great for Jahlil, and if that means him staying here, then that’s great,” Colangelo said. “He’s a great kid and a great player, and we’re going to see how he fits with this group.”
That group will include Ben Simmons, a 6-10 do-it all player who sat out last season with a foot injury. The 76ers plan on starting Simmons at point guard next season, which means they have some roster flexibility heading into the draft.
While it might be tempting for Philadelphia to package Okafor and the No. 3 overall pick for a wing scorer or a power forward, it is worth mentioning that the best player in the draft could fall to them at No. 3.
The top two picks are expected to be Markelle Fultz (Celtics) and Lonzo Ball (Lakers), which means Duke's Jayson Tatum and Kansas' Josh Jackson could be available at No. 3.
If the 76ers can keep Okafor for depth and snag one of those two explosive scorers, then it would give them the depth and talent to contend for a playoff spot sooner rather than later.
Whatever the 76ers decide to do, it certainly seems as though their fortunes are changing.