As the first rumblings of the 2015 NBA Draft started, it was reported that the Philadelphia 76ers would select Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell with their selection in the NBA Draft. At that time, they didn’t even know what pick they had but Russell was their guy. Since then, it appears that some things have changed and the feeling might not be mutual from Russell’s camp.
Russell bailed on a workout with the team due to an illness but eventually he eventually did have a workout with the Sixers, a workout that he says he killed. In between then and now, something must have broken down because it appears Russell isn’t as high on the Sixers as they are on him.
Following from Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
After trading point guard Michael Carter-Williams, the 2014 rookie of the year, to Milwaukee this past season, it would appear that the 76ers need a point guard.
But the buzz around the NBA is that D’Angelo Russell, a 6-5 point guard from Ohio State whom many see as a lesser Stephen Curry-type, doesn’t want to play for the unpredictable 76ers. Russell did work out for the 76ers last week.
Can you exactly blame D’Angelo? The 76ers have all the right ingredients to not want to head to Philly.
One of the worst records in the NBA last season? Check.
No sign of a proven All-Star? Check.
Injured young big man may not play next season? Check.
A GM with a tendency to trade some top young talent? Check.
No real clear path of a future plan? Check.
Some mock draft might have Kristaps Porzingis going third to Philly but that wouldn’t make a ton of sense, unless they want to trade Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid or their stashed European prospect Dario Saric. He would just be another forward added to the organization and it would just create a mess.
Philly should just deal with it and let Russell fall to the Knicks, which he wouldn’t mind, and instead take Justise Winslow or even Emmauel Mudiay. Everyone forgets Isaiah Cannan ended the season strong and a point guard who actually can do some great things offensively is already in Philly. Tony Wroten missed all of last season with a torn ACL and now that Michael Carter-Williams is gone, he could easily start as the point guard for Philly alongside either Mudiay or Winslow as his off-guard.
C’mon Hinkie. Get it together.
