When Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell cancelled his pre-draft workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, fans let their minds run amok, believing that the cancellation meant that Russell did not want to be drafted by the Sixers. Knicks fans drew hope from the report, hoping that Russell would fall to their team at no. 4. In reality, Russell cancelled due to falling ill. If you are a Knicks fan, you probably shouldn’t get your hopes up about snagging Russell, or one of the other top 3 prospects(Towns, Okafor).
Russell did wind up rescheduling the workout that his illness forced him to cancel, and it reportedly went very well.
From Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer:
76ers fans were concerned that D’Angelo Russell no longer wanted to play for the team when he canceled a workout Friday because he was “real sick.”
They have no reason to be concerned, according to a source close to the former Ohio State guard. “He really loves Philly,” the source said. …
“He said he killed it,” the source said of the workout. “He was talking about how excited he was about Philly.”
The 6-foot-5, 193-pound point guard looked excited when he left the practice facility at 4:05 p.m.
He was asked how his workout went as he walked down the steps. “Great,” Russell responded. …
Russell’s workout came one day after the Sixers worked out point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. Although the team was impressed with Mudiay, the Sixers would love to draft Russell if he’s still available at pick No. 3.
There have been reports that the Lakers may draft Russell instead of Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns at no. 2. However, if the Lakers do take on of the two big men, the Sixers will most likely take Russell at no. 3.
Kristaps Porzingis and Emmanuel Mudiay will likely also be available, but the Sixers already have Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid in the frontcourt, and the consensus seems to be that Russell is a bit better of a prospect than Mudiay. However, if the Sixers get tired of waiting on Joel Embiid after his latest injury, one that could be season-ending, Porzingis could be an intriguing option. Porzingis has impressed lately, and one scout even said that he is the best player in the draft.
While Porzingis, Okafor and Towns, are all excellent prospects, the 76ers’ biggest need is at the point guard position. Russell would fill that role. He brings a combination of ball-handling, playmaking, and shooting, and should be the 76ers’ number 1 target. It looks like that the Sixers like Russell, and Russell likes them. He could very well wind up in one of the 76ers’ new jerseys next season.
