Oh yeah, the NBA draft is tonight.

The Sixers made their first (of hopefully many) moves:

PHILADELPHIA – JULY 29, 2021 – Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has acquired the No. 53 overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft from New Orleans in exchange for cash consideration. The pick originally belonged to Dallas and was acquired by the Pelicans on March 25, 2021.

Nice to see the Sixers actually add a second-round pick instead of getting rid of one. You don’t find a lot of value at #53 overall, but Shake Milton was picked 54th overall and Paul Reed 58th. You can take a flyer on a high-upside guy with good analytics numbers at the bottom of the second round, or package this pick in a trade.

Obviously the big thing tonight is whether or not the Sixers trade Ben Simmons. Woj came out yesterday saying all parties were on board with a move, though it didn’t necessarily have to happen on draft night.

As it stands, the Sixers have the following selections:

  • round one, 28th overall (natural selection)
  • round two, 50th overall (2015 Knicks trade for the rights to Willy Hernangomez)
  • round two, 53rd overall (from this trade)

That’s it.

The Rockets under Daryl Morey famously never had first round selections. The last first rounder Morey drafted in Houston was Sam Dekker, way back in 2015. In 2020 he decided to stand pat and grab Tyrese Maxey during his first Philly draft.