Age: 19
Height, Weight: 6-foot-4, 200 pounds
Slash Line: .502/.440/.779
Season Averages: 16.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 1.4 3PM
One Kawhi Leonard shot sent the Philadelphia 76ers home in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, ending a run that saw the Elton Brand-led front office push all of its chips to the table for a run at a title. They now have to worry about losing JJ Redick, Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler in free agency, with teams with cap space able to scoop them up.
However the Sixers handle that, they need more outside shooters in the backcourt, even for insurance if Butler and Redick don’t depart. Plus, Ben Simmons has shown no sign of an outside shot, necessitating a guard option that supplements his almost all-around ga.e
Jaylen Nowell is a candidate for this pick, as he can handle both guard spots, shoot well enough and distribute the ball when Simmons is on the bench. It’s also insurance for Zhaire Smith if he suffers another long-term injury.
Nowell is athletic enough to drive to the hoop, potentially creating kick-out opportunities for his teammates, although turnovers are a problem. This could limit how often he touches the ball, but he will need reps as a secondary ball handler to the starter.
The New York Knicks need another option in the backcourt, and if Nowell surprisingly falls to the end of the second round, he would make sense, but it likely takes them trading back into the first round or the mid 30s to happen.