3 big men Sixers should take a look at in 2022 NBA draft at No. 23
At this current moment, the Philadelphia 76ers hold the No. 23 pick in the 2022 NBA draft after the Brooklyn Nets decided to defer the pick they acquired in the James Harden trade until 2023. The Sixers do have some options they can go to with that selection as there are some roster issues to address.
The Sixers can either make this selection and go with a rookie who can address their issues such as a 3-and-D player, depth on the wings, or a backup big man to Joel Embiid.
The other option is to trade the pick which is what they are looking to do at the moment in search of some immediate help to win a title. If they decide to keep the pick, here are three big men in this draft around the No. 23 range who would fit the Sixers behind Embiid and join Paul Reed and Charles Bassey in the battle for backup minutes.
Now, there is no guarantee the Sixers go big at this selection if they keep it. Coach Doc Rivers is known for liking his veterans and leaning on them more. The biggest examples were the additions of DeAndre Jordan and Paul Millsap during the 2021-22 season.
Jalen Duren, Memphis
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Duren is a bouncy and athletic big man who is a good rim protector as he averaged 2.1 blocks in his freshman season at Memphis. His high motor brings out comparisons to Bam Adebayo when he was coming out of Kentucky in 2017. Depending on what teams ahead of the Sixers do, there is a chance that he could be there at 23 and join the fray behind Embiid.
Walker Kessler, Auburn
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Kessler had a helluva season at Auburn as he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks in his sophomore season after transferring from North Carolina. He measured in with a 7-foot-4 wingspan at the draft combine and added about nine pounds from his playing weight at Auburn. The Sixers need depth behind Embiid and it will be interesting to see if they go the youth route or they try the veteran route again.
Christian Koloko, Arizona
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Koloko is a projected second-round pick who has the athletic ability to entice teams late in the first round of the draft. He averaged 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks while with the Wildcats and he has soft hands around the rim which makes him a lob threat when he is lineups with Harden.
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