The majority of the attention in the NBA has been turned to the draft with what is going on in the world and the real possibility of the 2019-20 season just being canceled. So, we continue our series of analyzing some realistic draft options for the Philadelphia 76ers at 22.
We started off with a backup point guard option in young Theo Maledon from France. This next part of this 10 part series focuses on a local product in Villanova sharpshooter Saddiq Bey who looks like he can have a real impact on this Sixers team due to one thing he can do well: shoot.
Saddiq Bey, Villanova
Bey is everything the Sixers could use right now. They obviously have wanted this year’s rookie, Matisse Thybulle, to be their new 3-and-D option after trading away Robert Covington, and he very well could be that, but Bey has a bit more potential to fill the “3” part of that aspect. Thybulle’s shot is a bit up-and-down despite his elite-level defense.
Bey shot 45.1% from deep in his sophomore season compared to 37.4% as a freshman so his 3-point percentage is on the upswing. The best part about his game is probably his catch-and-shoot ability which is missing on this team with JJ Redick gone. The Sixers have been in huge need of a deadeye shooter to space the floor for their awkward roster and Bey would be a nice fit there.
Over at our sister site, Rookie Wire, they have Bey going 20th in the draft to the Brooklyn Nets so there’s a small possibility that he is not there at 22.
Among all Eastern Conference teams, only the Bucks have averaged more 3-point attempts per game than the Nets (37.9) in 2019-20. Especially with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant set to return from injuries, Brooklyn will need as many knock-down shooters as possible. They can find one in Saddiq Bey, who has great size and converted 45.1% of his 3-point attempts this season. Bey made 2.5 shots per game from long distance and is able to contribute well without being the focal point of an offense.
Look at that last part again “able to contribute well without being the focal part of an offense”. Imagine him being the team’s new version of Covington while having a smarter basketball IQ. He is not overly athletic or explosive and that’s why he is not a lottery projection, but he won’t necessarily need that in Philadelphia if he can just shoot the 3-ball next to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Defensively, he is not quite Thybulle, but what he can do is defend multiple positions. While Thybulle is a “reckless thief” and he can make plays in the passing lanes and lockdown opposing scorers, Bey can defend every position except the center spot right now due to his strong lower body.
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