Prospect Primer: Third Overall Pick

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff

Xfinity Live! was electric on Tuesday night, as chants of "trust the process" and "pick swap" echoed throughout the building. 

The Sixers left Tuesday night's draft lottery with the third overall selection in the NBA Draft, moving up one spot from where they were projected to pick. 

This year's draft is filled with talented ball handlers and wing players at the top of the first round. The question is which of those players will be there when the Sixers pick, and who would make the most sense for the franchise going forward.

Markelle Fultz, PG/SG Washington

6'4", 195 lbs, 6'9 3/4" wingspan, 23.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.7 RPG

Markelle Fultz is the consensus top player in the draft.

The combo guard has elite scoring ability, with a great shot and ability to penetrate the lane and attack the rim. He also does a good job of creating opportunities for his teammates.

Fultz is universally expected to go first overall to the Boston Celtics. The only thing that could hold Fultz back is his lack of competition and team success in college.

Lonzo Ball, PG UCLA

6'6", 190 lbs, 14.6 PPG, 7.6 APG, 6.0 RPG

Lonzo Ball's draft position is only questioned because of his father's influence, and teams not being willing to deal with the sideshow that Lavar Ball is sure to create.

Unlike Fultz, Lonzo Ball is expected be a true point guard, despite being taller than Fultz. That is because the clear strength of Ball's game is in creating. He possesses court vision that simply cannot be taught. His jumpshot raises eyebrows, but his overall game should translate well to the NBA.

Many reports have already emerged naming Lonzo Ball as the early front runner to be taken second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.  

Josh Jackson, SF Kansas

6'8", 203 lbs, 6'9 3/4" wingspan, 16.3 PPG, 3.0APG, 7.4 RPG

With Fultz and Ball both expected to be off of the board when the Sixers pick, there will still be plenty of good options and tough decisions for the Sixers to make.

Josh Jackson has been considered one of the top three prospects of this draft class for much of the season, and he will certainly be on the Sixers radar leading up to the draft. Jackson is an explosive athlete who is active on both ends of the floor. He is considered an NBA ready prospect and one of, if not the best defender in the draft. His ability on defense and in transition would make him a good fit in Brett Brown's system.

His streaky perimeter offense surely will not impress teams, however.

Jayson Tatum, SF Duke

6'8", 204 lbs, 6'11" wingspan, 16.8 PPG, 2.1 APG, 7.3 RPG

Jayson Tatum is already a great isolation player, but his value is more in what he can become.

Tatum is expected to continue to add to an already strong frame, improve his shooting range, and solidify his defensive game. He has already shown flashes of what he can be after one year at Duke, and if he becomes the player that some think that he will, then he will surpass Josh Jackson as the best wing player in this draft.

Jackson has the higher floor, but Tatum has the slightly higher ceiling. 

De'Aaron Fox, PG Kentucky

6'3", 170 lbs, 6'6 1/2" wingspan, 16.7 PPG, 4.6 APG, 4.0 RPG

De'Aaron Fox could be joining the Sixers if they decide that they should decide to add to the backcourt instead of the wing.

Like Lonzo Ball, Fox is a true point guard. Fox's game is defined by his speed that makes him a great defender, and hard to stay in front of on the offensive end when he drives the lane. Fox makes those around him better, but there are questions about his strength and scoring ability transitioning to the next level. 

Malik Monk, PG/SG Kentucky

6'4", 197 lbs, 6'3 1/2" wingspan, 19.8 PPG, 2.3 APG, 2.5 RPG

Although Malik Monk is not considered the same level of prospect as the aforementioned players, he is considered the best shooter in this draft.

Armed with effortless NBA range and the ability to heat up any time, he could be the reliable shooter that the Sixers have been lacking throughout the process. Monk is seen as a bit of a one dimensional player, with his defense needing work. While Monk would be a reach at third overall, he fills perhaps the Sixers' biggest need better than any player in the draft. 

Of these players, who would you take?

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