5 players Philadelphia 76ers could select in 2024 NBA draft — if they keep their first-round pick
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Entering the 2024 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers are in win-now mode as they hope to surround Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with enough talent to compete for the NBA Finals next season.
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will have two picks entering the draft — No. 16 overall just outside the lottery and No. 40 in the second round via the Jaden Springer trade to the Boston Celtics.
Morey might not use his first-round pick tonight. Like in his previous drafts, he could trade the pick to acquire a veteran who can contribute and help the team now instead of a player who will likely need time to develop.
But if the Sixers keep the 16th pick, here are five players to watch.
Rob Dillingham, Kentucky guard
Rob Dillingham isn't an ideal fit next to Maxey — both are on the smaller side for the position. But Dillingham would provide Philadelphia a much-needed spark off the bench on a cheaper, cost-controlled contract.
In his freshman year at Kentucky, Dillingham appeared in 32 games, earned SEC Sixth Man of the Year honors and led Division I with 474 points off the bench. He also earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.
Dillingham, who is listed at 6 feet, 1 inch, averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 assists and shot 44.4% on 3-pointers in his lone season in Kentucky.
Isaiah Collier, USC guard
If the Sixers want more backcourt help, they could turn to University of Southern California guard Isaiah Collier.
Collier, who was teammates with Bronny James at USC, was ranked as the No. 1 high school player in the country in 2023.
Collier battled a hand injury last season but played in 27 games with the Trojans, including 26 starts. The 6-foot-3-inch guard averaged 16.3 points and led all Pac-12 freshmen in scoring, which earned him a spot on the 2023-24 Pac-12 All-Freshman team.
Jared McCain, Duke guard
One of the skillsets players alongside Embiid and Maxey need is shooting, and Duke guard Jared McCain fits that bill perfectly.
McCain, a 6-foot-2-inch guard, played and started in 36 games for the Blue Devils and shot 41.4% on 3-pointers.
According to many draft analysts, McCain is one of the best shooters in the entire draft, and he even rated in the 95 percentile in catch-and-shoot situations when guarded, according to Synergy Sports.
In 36 games as a freshman at Duke, McCain averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
Tristan da Silva, Colorado forward
With the Sixers needing immediate help, Colorado forward Tristan da Silva could be their guy at No. 16 overall.
Da Silva played at the University of Colorado for four years, including three as a starter, and has a well-rounded game.
Da Silva, a Germany native, was a two-time All-Pac 12 selection at Colorado and can shoot from deep. He improved his 3-point percentage each season at Colorado and finished his senior year shooting 39.5% on 3-pointers on nearly five attempts.
In his senior season, da Silva averaged 16.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
Kyle Filipowski, Duke forward
Kyle Filipowski spent the past two seasons in Durham, North Carolina, with Duke as the focal point of the team's offense.
At 6 feet, 11 inches, Filipowski should be able to stretch the floor in the NBA. He averaged 16.4 points and shot 50.5% from the field as a sophomore, including 34.8% on 3-pointers.
Filipowski was also a willing rebounder at Duke and led the team by averaging 8.3.
CBS Sports listed Filipowski's pro-comparison as former 76er forward Dario Saric.