The Philadelphia 76ers do not own a draft pick in the 2023 NBA draft, but that doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t meet with young players they could add to their roster.
The Sixers traded their 2023 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in the James Harden deal at the 2022 deadline. In turn, the Nets sent that pick to the Utah Jazz. The Sixers were stripped of their second-round picks in 2023 and 2024 for tampering.
While they will not be active on draft night in terms of picks, they could add some undrafted players afterward.
One of those players is Eastern Michigan guard Emoni Bates. The 6-foot-9 guard averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 40.5% in the 2022-23 season for the Eagles. Per Adam Zagoria of Forbes Sports, the Sixers have met with Bates:
The Ypsilanti, Michigan, native who was once compared to a young Kevin Durant and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated has already worked out with the Charlotte Hornets and Dallas Mavericks and has one coming up with the hometown Detroit Pistons. He’s also met with the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers.
One should not underestimate the addition of an undrafted player. The Miami Heat are a prime example. They have seven undrafted players on their roster, and four are integral pieces of their rotation. The Heat are one win away from the NBA Finals.
Bates has a good chance to be selected in the second round on June 22, but if he falls through the cracks, the Sixers might be able to swoop in and add a talented, athletic player.
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