Philadelphia 76ers at a Tough Spot in the NBA Draft

Everyone knows that the Philadelphia 76ers were the surprise team of the East, but that won't be the case for next year. Expectations will be higher, and anything short of making it into the second round would be a disappointment.

So the big question is—do they select someone that will help them in the future, or do they get someone for right now?

The 76ers' primary needs are a point guard and a big man. Andre Miller is going into the final year of his contract, and is still unsure about returning to Philadelphia after that, while Lou Williams hasn't sold me yet on becoming the next starting point guard.

And, don't be fooled with Reggie Evan's play in the playoffs, that won't happen to him on a daily basis. They need to get someone to take that starting spot, unless they want another season of 5.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game from your power forward.

So let's take a look at what the 76ers could be looking at for the PG and PF.

Jerryd Bayless, D.J. Augustin, Russell Westbrook, Mario Chalmers and Ty Lawson are potential first round point guards. Don't expect Augustin or Westbrook to fall to 16 however, as Sacramento, New York, Milwaukee, and Seattle are looking for point guard pick ahead of Philly.

Bayless will probably be the first to go, while Westbrook and Augustin will go second and third (maybe not in that order) to one of the teams listed above. That leaves Chalmers and Ty Lawson available to Philadelphia.

I like Lawson out of North Carolina, but I don't think he has enough talent for a 16th pick. Plus, he was caught earlier for consuming alcohol before driving (he's only 20). Not the best thing that could happen, especially when teams are looking carefully at players' characters.

Chalmers has talent. He can shoot well and play good on defense. However, he plays more a second guard position than the point guard one. The Sixers already have that type of player in Lou Williams. So, what should the Sixers do? Don't settle for a point guard in that 16th pick.

There are a number of big men that will be available when the 16th pick approaches. Darrell Arthur, Donte Greene, Kosta Koufos, Robin Lopez, and Marreese Speights all might be available when that pick comes up.

Arthur knows how to score in many ways. He's quick, and that fits the team well. Greene can run the floor, and shoot the ball well. He also can play both forward spots, and if he does play the three, that lets Iguodala play the two.

Koufos's upside is that he's a skilled big man who can go up and down the floor very well. The only downside for him is that he needs to get stronger. Lopez reminds me of another Samuel Dalembert. He can block shots, get you plenty of boards, he's tough, and will hustle up and down the floor. Speights is a young kid from Florida, and a good post-up player. He reminds me of Elton Brand.

One player that I do like that also fills a need for the team is Brandon Rush. He can play the two or the three, he can shoot well, and play good defense.

These are just some of the possibilities, who knows what they'll do if they trade that pick for a veteran or to pick up more picks.