Sixers draft target: PG D'Angelo Russell

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D’Angelo Russell
Position: G
Height/Weight: 6-5/193
School: Ohio State

From a fit and talent standpoint, D’Angelo Russell makes a lot of sense for the Sixers. They have two big men in Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid, and Dario Saric is over in Europe working on his game (with positive results). The Sixers could use some backcourt talent. Russell has shown the ability to play either guard spot, though you can mostly imagine him running as the point guard (and, yes, traditional position labels are outmoded; think of this as more of a macro job description).

There have been some questions about Russell’s collegiate production against teams inside and outside the top-100. There’s also a faction of local hoops heads that fret about recent history and the last time the Sixers took an Ohio State player with a high pick. But those concerns are outweighed by Russell's overall talent. He’s good, and various analytical models have endorsed him. Unless he spontaneously combusts between now and the NBA draft, Russell will be one of the first players selected.

Strengths
We’ll start with Russell’s shooting. It’s one of the most attractive aspects of his game, particularly for a Sixers’ team where shooters are in short supply. Russell made 44.9 percent from the field, 41.1 percent from three (on 6.6 attempts per game) and 75.6 percent from the line (on 4.5 attempts per game) for the Buckeyes last year. The percentages from long-range and the line are notable. The Sixers could desperately use a guard who can drill from distance and make his free throws after he’s fouled going to the hoop. About that last part: Russell’s free-throw rate could certainly be higher for a guard. Getting to the line more often will be something to work on at the next level.

Russell was a good rebounder at Ohio State (5.7 per game) and an excellent passer (5.0 assists per game). And he has good size for a guard. His wingspan measurement at the combine was 6-9¾. To put that in perspective, Michael Carter-Williams had a 6-7¼ combine wingspan while Jrue Holiday was measured at 6-7.

Russell is a creative ball-handler with excellent court vision. He changes speed well, and he’s good in transition. Considering the high usage rate at Ohio State, his 26.8 PER was really good.

Weaknesses
He’s not a super athletic guard. Russell isn’t likely to beat opponents with speed or leaping ability. His game has more to do with reading the court and the flow of the proceedings to find holes in the defense and take advantage accordingly. If you’re hoping his physical ability will resemble the top-tier athlete OKC deploys at point guard, you’ve got the wrong Russell.

The biggest concern here is defense. To be charitable, it was inconsistent at Ohio State. Russell wasn’t great at running through screens or closing out on shooters. But he’s got good length and size for a point guard. His deficiencies can be improved with effort and quality coaching.

How he’d fit with the Sixers
Very well. MCW and Tony Wroten have largely the same skill sets on offense. Both are among the very best in the league at getting to the rim whenever they choose, but they’re also poor options when forced to shoot from beyond five feet.

Russell is sort of the anti-MCW in that way. He can get to the rim (though he does so with much different physical ability and approach), but he’s also a major threat to stretch the defense by hitting from the outside. Where defenses could sag off MCW, clog the lane and dare him to shoot, opponents shouldn’t have that luxury against Russell.

Russell would also fit in with the team’s ever-developing share-the-ball approach. The Sixers were a top-10 team last season in assist percentage. Russell would help in that department, too.

With Nerlens Noel on the court, the Sixers improved as a defensive team. They were 13th in defensive rating last season after being fourth-worst the year before. That’s an area of concern for Russell and something he’d have to work on.

Overall, there’s lots to like here. Russell should be among the handful of players Sam Hinkie has his eye on for the third pick — provided he's still available.

NBA comparison
He’s been likened to Manu Ginobli by various pundits. I’m not sure that comparison is quite right, but if it’s even close, Russell will have a long, successful career.

As an addendum, here’s a different sort of D’Angelo comparison.

Draft Projection
Top five.

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