Coming into the draft, there seems like there could be a wide array of outcomes for Brice Johnson out of North Carolina. Yes, the talented big man tore it up for the Tar Heels on the way to becoming national runners-up, but he’s a player who stayed four years at college that scouts are at leas somewhat split on at this point.
However, I think he’s a first-round talent that can contribute at a high level as a role player in an NBA frontcourt. For a a Clippers team perpetually in need of depth, taking Johnson here feels like it would be a great move that the team would greatly benefit from moving forward.
Given just how bad the 76ers were this season, the theme for their team in the 2016 NBA Draft really has to be just to add quality talent and depth to their roster so that they can somehow begin to climb out of this mire.
Though Sam Hinkie is gone, I think that means taking a European prospect at this point in the form of Bosnian center Ivica Zubac. At 19 years old, he still has plenty of upside left ahead of him and given his size and ability already, the big man could ultimately wind up being a real asset for Philadelphia moving forward.
Next: No. 27 Raptors, No. 28 Suns