Embiid setback has Sixers rethinking Russell

[Moranis]

according to Mannix at cnnsi, Embiid's setback has the Sixers looking at Porzingis and Winslow a bit more heavily than before his injury.

[manl_lui]

what the heck is wrong with the guy

[hpantazo]

I would understand if they had said Porzingis and WCS , but Winslow? Winslow is a wing, what does Embiid's setback have anything to do with considering a wing more now than before?

[hpantazo]

what the heck is wrong with the guy

If we had drafted him last year, most celtics fans would be calling for Ainge's head right about now. This guy hasn't even managed to practice in a year and a half.

[CFAN38]

no idea why Winslow would even be considered. I can see the logic of taking Prozingis he could pair with Noel to form possibly the longest and most athletic PF / Center combo in the league.

I still think they ultimately take Russel. 

[Finkelskyhook]

Russell is far too healthy to fit into the Sixers' plans.

[Denis998]

Russell is far too healthy to fit into the Sixers' plans.

Great point. TP

no idea why Winslow would even be considered. I can see the logic of taking Prozingis he could pair with Noel to form possibly the longest and most athletic PF / Center combo in the league.

I still think they ultimately take Russel. 

winslow is the best SF in the draft, a position that they don't have yet. They have another PF waiting to come in from Europe called Saric

[manl_lui]

what the heck is wrong with the guy

If we had drafted him last year, most celtics fans would be calling for Ainge's head right about now. This guy hasn't even managed to practice in a year and a half.

he's still young, but I am always scared of big men with early foot issues.

[hpantazo]

Russell is far too healthy to fit into the Sixers' plans.

Great point. TP

no idea why Winslow would even be considered. I can see the logic of taking Prozingis he could pair with Noel to form possibly the longest and most athletic PF / Center combo in the league.

I still think they ultimately take Russel. 

winslow is the best SF in the draft, a position that they don't have yet. They have another PF waiting to come in from Europe called Saric

Sure, that I understand fully, but why does Embiid's setback make them consider drafting a SF any more than they would if Embiid was healthy?

[littleteapot]

[footey]

I think this seals the deal on them taking Porzingis.  Even if Embiid healthy, he would make sense, although Saric would be a little redundant.  Of course of Lakers take Porzingis over Okafor (doubtful but possible), then Philly might trade the pick with the Knicks to extract some blood and take Russell, with Knicks taking Okafor.  Again, this scenario unlikely, but within realm of possibility on draft night. Weirder things have happened.

[PhoSita]

I think leaking this was the reason for putting out the report on Embiid in the first place.

This is draft gamesmanship.

[Evantime34]

I was never convinced that they had decided on Russell. Hinkie doesn't strike me as the type that would leak who he liked to the media a month or two before the draft.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Isn't Saric a power forward, though?  I know everyone thought he was going to play SF but it looks like PF is more of a natural position for him.  They should just buy out his contract and draft Russell, they'll be better off for it.  If Embiid works out, great

[colincb]

Isn't Saric a power forward, though?  I know everyone thought he was going to play SF but it looks like PF is more of a natural position for him.  They should just buy out his contract and draft Russell, they'll be better off for it.  If Embiid works out, great

He's a tweener and more likely to play 4 because he won't be able to defend the three.

Not easy to buy Saric's contract out. The Sixers have to make a contribution toward the buyout and then Saric pays the rest, but ends up on a rookie deal.  More likely he comes next year when his current contract runs out. If he, or his dad, was smart, he'd stay overseas for two more years and then come over when he wouldn't be on rookie scale as Mirotic did.