NBA Draft 2011: Markieff Morris and the 10 Best Picks for the Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and there is a lot of speculation about what they will do with it.
Philadelphia has been rumored to be on the verge of trading Andre Iguodala. If this trade goes through, then the Sixers are going to have a few options during the draft.
Iguodala is their best player right now, and if they trade him, they will have to find a way to replace him. The way to replace Iguodala would be either through trade or by drafting a shooting guard or small forward.
If the Sixers don't trade Iguodala, then they will need to draft a big man.
Either way, the Sixers are going to draft either a shooter or a big man.
With the multiple different ways the Sixers' draft could go, it is important that we prepare for all possible scenarios. This list identifies the 10 best picks Philadelphia could realistically make.
Markieff Morris
1 of 10
Markieff Morris going to the Philadelphia 76ers is the pick that makes the most sense to me.
Looking to replace Thaddeus Young, the Sixers will probably start with a big man, and who better than Morris?
Morris is a very good power forward, and he will solidify the shaky frontcourt for the Sixers.
Morris should be available at the 16th pick, so this isn't a reach at all.
Also, Morris is a native of Philadelphia, so there is no question that he will want to play for the team for as long as possible.
Nikola Vucevic
2 of 10
Nikola Vucevic is a 7'0" center out of USC, and he is another option to help Philadelphia down-low.
Vucevic had an impressive line in college: 17.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.4 BPG. These numbers show that Vucevic is the type of player who can make his presence known in the paint by scoring, rebounding, and playing tight defense.
By drafting Vucevic, the Sixers would hope to gain a solid center who will make an immediate impact, unlike Morris. The reason I think it more likely they draft Morris is because the Sixers are not looking for a quick-fix.
Philadelphia is looking to set their team up for the long-run, and Vucevic is more of an option for a few years at most.
Tyler Honeycutt
3 of 10
Tyler Honeycutt is a 6'8" forward for the UCLA Bruins, and he could go to the Sixers.
Honeycutt would become a wing for the Sixers, and he would probably be chosen if Iguodala is traded. In the trade, the Sixers would have to receive a shooting guard for them to want to draft Honeycutt as a wing.
Honeycutt has already worked out with Philadelphia, and they seem to have an interest in him. That makes sense because Honeycutt can do it all.
In his sophomore season, this was his line: 12.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.1 BPG, 1.0 SPG.
Honeycutt is a very versatile player, and he is very athletic. If the Sixers take him, he will definitely become a small forward over time.
Bismack Biyombo
4 of 10
Bismack Biyombo is a center coming over from Congo.
Biyombo is listed at 6'9" and 243 lbs. He is considered a top five center in the draft because of his athleticism, defense, and overall size. Believe it or not, Biyombo is actually a very quick player considering his size.
Biyombo should still be on the board when the Sixers are picking, as he is projected to go around pick No. 20 or so.
Biyombo has great potential, and he would fit right in with Philadelphia.
Marshon Brooks
5 of 10
Marshon Brooks is arguably the best shooting guard in the 2011 NBA Draft. Coming out of Providence, Brooks has shown great potential.
His line for his senior season is as follows: 24.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.5 SPG.
Brooks did it all for the Friars, and he could be the replacement for Andre Iguodala that the Sixers will need if he is traded.
The Sixers will have to trade Iguodala and get a small forward in return if they are going to take Brooks as a shooting guard.
Brooks has drawn comparisons to Josh Howard and Jordan Crawford, and his full draft profile can be seen here.
Trey Thompkins
6 of 10
Trey Thompkins is a 6'10", 240-pound forward out of Georgia. Thompkins is ranked as one of the top power forwards on the board, and he should definitely be available for the Sixers at No. 16.
Thompkins has great size and post skills, and his jump shot is amazing for a big man. Thompkins can be an all-around player for the Sixers, and there is not a glaring weakness for this kid.
Thompkins is a very solid player, and there is little risk in drafting him.
Chris Singleton
7 of 10
Chris Singleton is the best perimeter defender in the draft, but he is also a good scorer.
Singleton averaged over 13 points per game in his junior year with the Florida State Seminoles. Singleton has developed into an all-around player in college.
Singleton is listed at 6'9" which is good size for a small forward, and he will probably become one.
He will probably be drafted by the Sixers in the event of an Iguodala trade.
In the trade, the Sixers will have to get an excellent offensive shooting guard. If that happens, they are going to need a better defender as opposed to a scorer.
Jordan Hamilton
8 of 10
Jordan Hamilton is a sophomore out of Texas, and he can play either shooting guard or small forward. Hamilton is a top-five small forward in the draft, and he should be available when the Sixers are on the clock.
Hamilton will be selected if the Sixers trade Andre Iguodala and they get a shooting guard in return. The shooting guard in question will have to be a decent scorer, but will not carry the load for the team. That's where Hamilton comes in.
Hamilton averaged about 19 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season with Texas, proving that he can score well. Hamilton will be asked to step in and score close to double-digit points every night for the Sixers, a load which he should be able to shoulder.
Hamilton is going to be the type of small forward that can score, but he provides less-than-stellar defense.
Jordan Williams
9 of 10
Jordan Williams is a top-10 power forward, and he is essentially a last resort for Philadelphia. Williams should be an early-second round pick, but if he is the best big man available at the time, the Sixers might take him very early.
In college, Williams averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds per game. He was a force inside, and he led his Maryland team.
Williams has good size and strength, and he is a great rebounder. Williams has great post skills, and has drawn comparisons to Carlos Boozer.
Williams has a lot of potential, but he could also be a complete bust. If the Sixers are running out of options, they might take a chance on Williams.
Donatas Motiejunas
10 of 10
There is a good chance that the Sixers take Donatas Motiejunas with the No. 16 pick. Motiejunas is a seven-foot giant from Lithuania, and the 20-year-old is making a name for himself.
Motiejunas should be available for the Sixers, but maybe not for very long. Motiejunas has drawn a lot of attention, and he could become a lottery pick.
Motiejunas has a lot of potential. He has excellent size, but that does not take away from the other aspects of his game. He also has unbelievable quickness for his height, and he has a very impressive jump shot.
Motiejunas could be the big man that the Sixers are looking for, and you shouldn't be surprised to hear his named called with the 16th pick.
For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.
