By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
At this point, if we didn’t already know it, Evan Turner will be the Sixers top pick in the NBA Draft next week. If you doubted that at any point in the past, just watch to the video below from the Sixers website in which they interview Turner in the team locker room.
About 35 seconds in, they bring up the question about a uniform number. Thaddeus Young has his number 21. Turner says his backup number is 11, but that’s occupied by last season’s top pick Jrue Holiday. Why would you ask that if you weren’t picking the guy?
Turner also says he likes the city as he went past Independence Mall and “the river down there.” A Sixers videographer identified the river as the Schuylkill River. Turner said, “That’s pretty cool, I could see myself hanging out around there.”
Another clue the Sixers will take this guy comes when he’s asked about his arm for throwing out the opening pitch at a Phillies game. Turner displays some personality when he says, “‘I’m trying to decide between my slider and changeup.”
Word to the wise, if he has any decent pitching skills, keep him away from Citizen’s Bank Park before Ruebn Amaro tries to sign him. Turner may just ink with the Phillies and join a winning organization instead of the Sixers.
If the Sixers stay at #2 there is no doubt you take this great person and player, Evan Turner.
The only trade I’d accept would be with Minnesota – #2 and Elton Brand for #4, #16, and Al Jefferson.
Anything less than that tell Minnesota bye bye and pick the best player last year in college basketball!
I would then trade the #4 pick and Andres Iguadola for the #7 pick and Tayshaun Prince. Prince is a SF and in last year of contract so would be huge cap relief next year. Then I would take Xavier Henry with the #7 pick.
We would have a ton of money available next season for a free agent and I would target Carmello Anthony or the best big or in draft.
Next years starters:
Holliday – PG
Henry – SG
Prince – SF
Young – PF
Jefferson – C