The Philadelphia 76ers have been blessed by the basketball gods by having a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The success had by the Oklahoma City Thunder allowed a top 20 protected pick conveyed to the Sixers at 21 overall.
There are some obvious needs for the Sixers heading into this draft as they obviously need some shooting and they also need a guy who can put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others. Philadelphia badly needs another ball-handler if they are going to move forward with moving Ben Simmons to the power forward spot.
Over at our sister site, Rookie Wire put together a few sleepers to look at for the Sixers at 21, and one interesting option they listed is French point guard Theo Maledon. He is a 6-foot-4 point guard who can do a lot of different things on the basketball court including being able to run a nice pick-and-roll game with Simmons.
Rookie Wire on Maledon:
His most notable accolade thus far was averaging 14.6 points and 3.1 assists per game in the U16 Euro Championships in 2017, leading France to gold. A career 36% 3-point and 79% free-throw shooter, he is arguably the most experienced player in the draft in terms of minutes against quality competition despite being only 18.
People will look at the 3.1 assists number and scoff, but keep in mind that the Sixers will not need him to go out and average double-figure assists. If he can handle the ball, not turn it over, and really make the Simmons move to the power forward spot, then it would be worth the gamble.
Now, if Philadelphia can swing a deal for Chris Paul like the front office is beginning to think about, then a guy like Maledon would not be needed. However, he would be a nice guy to take a flier on for the Sixers at 21. [lawrence-related id=37590,37593,37579]