5 prospects who make sense for Sixers if Nets defer 2022 draft pick

Here are 5 prospects that make sense for the Philadelphia 76ers if the Brooklyn Nets defer the 2022 first-round pick until 2023.

At the moment, the Philadelphia 76ers do not own their first-round draft pick in 2022 as it was sent to the Brooklyn Nets in the big James Harden deal back in February.

However, there is a chance that the Sixers can keep that pick if the Nets decide to defer the pick until 2023. They have until June 1 to make that decision and while there is no guarantee they do so, the Sixers are doing their due diligence as they have met with some potential draft prospects.

If the Nets do defer that pick back to the Sixers, Philadelphia would be selecting at No. 23 in the first round and there are some prospects who fit their need for athleticism off the bench and some depth at the wing spots. Especially, in the wake of the Danny Green injury where he could miss the entire 2022-23 season–although he is targeting a return around the All-Star break.

Here are five prospects that stand out in the No. 23 draft range:

Oklahoma City Thunder met with former Nebraska guard Bryce McGowens in pre-draft visit

The Nebraska guard shot 27.4 percent on nearly five three-point attempts per game

During the 2022 NBA draft combine, several draft prospects revealed the fact they they have met with the Oklahoma City Thunder. One of those prospects being Bryce McGowens, according to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov in his latest article.

McGowens spent his lone college season at Nebraska, where the guard averaged 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 40.3 percent shooting in 31 games. McGowens was a poor outside shooter as he shot 27.4 percent on three-pointers on nearly five attempts per game.

The 19-year-old is projected to be a late first round to second round selection. The Thunder own two picks in that range at 30th overall and 34th overall.

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Sixers met with 3 potential draft picks at draft combine in Chicago

The Philadelphia 76ers met with three potential selections in the 2022 NBA draft while at the combine in Chicago.

At the moment, the Philadelphia 76ers do not own a draft pick in the 2022 NBA draft. The No. 23 pick they would have in this draft belongs to the Brooklyn Nets at the moment due to the James Harden trade, but they can still have that pick if the Nets decide to wait to use the pick until 2023. They have until June 1 to make that decision.

However, the Sixers are preparing in case the Nets decide to wait. If Brooklyn were to delay using the pick until 2023, the Sixers would have to be ready with some prospects they want to take a look at.

At the NBA draft combine in Chicago, the Sixers met with at least three potential draft picks per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer:

Nebraska basketball prospect projected to be selected in the first round

Nebraska Basketball hasn’t had a first-round pick since 1998.

Now that the NBA Draft Lottery has been set, there are finally mock drafts able to project the entire first round of the NBA Draft. USA Today recently released their first-round mock, and it shows Nebraska basketball experiencing something that it hasn’t experienced since 1998, having a first-round draft pick. Bryce McGowens was projected to be taken by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 29th pick in the first round.

Nebraska Basketball has not had a first-round draft pick since Tyronn Lue was taken in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. In fact, Nebraska has only three first-round selections in school history, with Eric Piatkowski being taken in the 1994 draft by the Indiana Pacers and Rich King being selected in the 1991 draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.

Tyronn Lue (10)

(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Here’s what USA Today says about McGowens

29. Memphis
Bryce McGowens, Nebraska, guard, 6-7, 179, freshman

This draft is loaded with wings who like to beat their defender to the rim off the dribble. Count McGowens, is a skilled and versatile offensive player, in that group. McGowens, who played alongside his older brother, averaged 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds and shot 47.8% from the field. But he will need to become a better 3-point shooter

The NBA Draft will take place Thursday, June 23, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

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McGowens named top-30 prospect heading into NBA Draft

A Nebraska Basketball player has been named a top prospect heading into Tuesday night’s draft lottery!

On Tuesday night, the 2022 NBA Draft lottery will take place. According to the odds, the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic have a 14% chance of earning the first overall pick. 247sports has released a list of their Pre-NBA Draft Lottery Big Board, looking at the top-30 prospects.

One of the names mentioned in that top-30 was Nebraska freshman shooting guard Bryce McGowens. In 31 games last season, McGowens averaged 16.8 points per game on 40% shooting from the floor while shooting 27% from three. His season-high was 29 points against Sam Houston on November 12, 2021. McGowens declared for the NBA Draft after one season in Lincoln.

Projections have McGowens slotted as early as the mid or late first round and as late as the early second round. The 2022 NBA Draft will occur on Thursday, June 23, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

24. BRYCE MCGOWENS | SG | NEBRASKA

Stats: 16.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.4 APG

 

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Former Husker invited to NBA Draft combine

A former Husker will try to improve his NBA draft stock at a combine later this month!

Over six days later this month, the NBA Draft combine will take place in the city of Chicago, and a former Nebraska Cornhusker will be one of the participants. Bryce McGowens of Pendleton, South Carolina, will be one of the many individuals trying to improve their draft stock ahead of the big day on June 23rd.

The 6’7″ 179-pound guard averaged 16.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 31 games during his lone season in Lincoln. McGowens will be joined by other top draft prospects like Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn at the combine. He is currently slotted to be picked during the second round. In the latest For the Win mock draft, McGowens was projected to be selected in the second round with the 45th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets.

The NBA Draft combine will take place from May 16th-22nd in Chicago. The NBA Draft will occur on June 23rd at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

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Nebraska freshman Bryce McGowens to hire agent and enter NBA draft

McGowens posted the highest scoring average by a freshman in Big Ten conference play since D’Angelo Russell in 2015.

Nebraska freshman Bryce McGowens on Monday told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he plans to hire an agent and declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

McGowens earned third-team All-Big Ten honors after averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 31 games this season with the Cornhuskers. He ranked third in the country among true freshmen in scoring and was first in made free throws (162).

The 6-foot-7 guard is widely projected to be a late first-round pick given his ability as a scorer. He recorded 11 20-point games this season and posted the highest scoring average by a freshman in conference play (17.3) since D’Angelo Russell during the 2014-15 season.

McGowens will have the opportunity to improve his stock between now and the night of the draft on June 23. He will likely be a candidate to participate in the draft combine May 16-22 while he can also make a name for himself in private workouts with teams.

Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare for the NBA draft.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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