Top international prospect Kristaps Porzingis has been rising up NBA draft boards, and Philadelphia 76ers GM, Sam Hinkie may not be able to resist his talents, despite badly needing a point guard.
With at least one scout believing Porzingis will be the best player in the draft, Chad Ford is reporting that the 76ers are leaning towards selecting him at No. 3.
We’ve been hearing both Mudiay and Russell’s name here for months. But over the past few weeks multiple sources around the league suspect that Sam Hinkie may actually be leaning toward Porzingis. He’s an odd fit given the Sixers abundance of big men (though news that Joel Embiid‘s foot hasn’t healed may change the fit analysis). But Hinkie has always drafted based on the best player available strategy. He doesn’t draft for need. So while the team needs Mudiay or Russell more, if he believes Porzingis is the best player on the board, so be it. Or, as one rival GM opined, this Porzingis intel is all a smoke screen to get Orlando (who loves Porzingis) to trade up to three and give Hinkie another coveted asset.
Best player or not, a team full of big’s, could get even more crowded if Dario Saric decides to come back from Turkey a year earlier.
Hinkie will need to address the point guard position at some point.