As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for the 2021 NBA draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on July 29, we look back on past drafts.
The Sixers entered the 2011 NBA draft feeling good about themselves after making a run to the playoffs led by Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday. They fell to the Miami Heat in five games in the first round, but the Sixers were hoping to build off that.
They had the 16th selection in the draft and they chose USC big man Nikola Vucevic. Philadelphia was hoping he could be a really nice backup big man, and he played well, averaging 5.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 51 games with 15 starts. He averaged 15.9 minutes per game in his only season in Philadelphia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKbugbxc78
Vucevic was sent to the Orlando Magic in the blockbuster deal that netted Philadelphia Andrew Bynum. Vucevic went on to become a two-time All-Star with the Magic averaging 17.6 points and 10.8 rebounds across eight-plus seasons in Orlando. The Magic sent him to the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline this past season, and he averaged 21.5 points and 11.5 rebounds.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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