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With the 2026 NBA draft fast approaching, the first round is on June 23, now's the time to look at some potential options for the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 22 pick. If one wants to look at Sixers Wire's draft big board, one can do so here.
This series will focus on specific players. The Sixers have a first-round pick thanks to the Jared McCain trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Houston Rockets. After a trip to Round 2 of the playoffs, the Sixers have an opportunity to add to the roster and get themselves another talented young piece around Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe for the future.
This first edition is looking at Santa Clara forward Allen Graves:
Graves isn't the most athletically gifted player, but what he does bring is a feel for the game. He averaged 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game along with 6.5 rebounds all while playing 22.6 minutes per game and coming off the bench for the Broncos. In fact, the 6.5 rebounds led Santa Clara on the season. Combine the rebounding effort with his steals total of 67 and total blocks of 33, it leads to per 40 averages of 3.4 steals and 1.7 blocks along with 11.5 rebounds. He is a player who understands winning basketball and can step in right away to give the Sixers a lift.
Offensively, he shot 41.3% from deep (38-for-92) and understands what he can do on that end. He doesn't try to do too much and he takes what opposing defenses give him. Graves has excellent hands and footwork which makes him a terrific pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop option due to that aforementioned feel for the game.
As mentioned, Graves isn't the most athletic player which could be a big concern in the league when he switches onto faster and quicker guards. He is an excellent steals and blocks player, but that's due to his high basketball IQ which makes up for the lack of athleticism. That is something that might slow him down at the NBA level against stronger, quicker, and faster guards. Also, due to being listed at just 6-foot-9, it would be hard to really match him up with the big men in this league. It would be on coach Nick Nurse and his staff to find a way to make him effective on that end.
Graves fills a need, which is reliable depth. The bench unit came up short in the playoffs, both against the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, and the Sixers need some more reliable pieces. Graves is a high IQ player who can make things work with almost any lineup on this roster, whether that's with Maxey and Edgecombe or next to Joel Embiid and Paul George, it wouldn't matter. That's due to his feel for the game and his ability to be versatile, which is a big aspect in today's NBA.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Philadelphia 76ers draft profiles at pick No. 22: Allen Graves
Continue reading...
This series will focus on specific players. The Sixers have a first-round pick thanks to the Jared McCain trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Houston Rockets. After a trip to Round 2 of the playoffs, the Sixers have an opportunity to add to the roster and get themselves another talented young piece around Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe for the future.
This first edition is looking at Santa Clara forward Allen Graves:
Strengths
Graves isn't the most athletically gifted player, but what he does bring is a feel for the game. He averaged 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game along with 6.5 rebounds all while playing 22.6 minutes per game and coming off the bench for the Broncos. In fact, the 6.5 rebounds led Santa Clara on the season. Combine the rebounding effort with his steals total of 67 and total blocks of 33, it leads to per 40 averages of 3.4 steals and 1.7 blocks along with 11.5 rebounds. He is a player who understands winning basketball and can step in right away to give the Sixers a lift.
Offensively, he shot 41.3% from deep (38-for-92) and understands what he can do on that end. He doesn't try to do too much and he takes what opposing defenses give him. Graves has excellent hands and footwork which makes him a terrific pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop option due to that aforementioned feel for the game.
Weaknesses
As mentioned, Graves isn't the most athletic player which could be a big concern in the league when he switches onto faster and quicker guards. He is an excellent steals and blocks player, but that's due to his high basketball IQ which makes up for the lack of athleticism. That is something that might slow him down at the NBA level against stronger, quicker, and faster guards. Also, due to being listed at just 6-foot-9, it would be hard to really match him up with the big men in this league. It would be on coach Nick Nurse and his staff to find a way to make him effective on that end.
Potential fit with the Sixers
Graves fills a need, which is reliable depth. The bench unit came up short in the playoffs, both against the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, and the Sixers need some more reliable pieces. Graves is a high IQ player who can make things work with almost any lineup on this roster, whether that's with Maxey and Edgecombe or next to Joel Embiid and Paul George, it wouldn't matter. That's due to his feel for the game and his ability to be versatile, which is a big aspect in today's NBA.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Philadelphia 76ers draft profiles at pick No. 22: Allen Graves
Continue reading...
