NBA draft: 10 2nd-round targets for the Sixers

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With five second-round picks, the Sixers have plenty of chances to find some gems in the NBA draft on June 25. Here are 10 names that the team could target in the second round:

Robert Upshaw: Center, 7-0/258, Washington
The big if is whether the big man Upshaw will even be there when the Sixers start picking in the second round. If the 7-footer is still on the board, they would be wise to snatch him up. With Joel Embiid's status up in the air, the Sixers could use another talented body up front. Upshaw has an incredible wingspan (7-5½), which he used to help rack up 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and an NCAA-best 4.5 blocks per game last season. He does come with a few character red flags, however, as he was dismissed from Fresno State and Washington during his collegiate career.

Andrew Harrison: Point guard, 6-6/213, Kentucky
Whether the Sixers draft D’Angelo Russell at No. 3 or not, they could still use another boost at point guard. The additions of Ish Smith and Isaiah Canaan last season brought unique skill sets from both (pace and team running from Smith, scoring from Canaan), but neither will ever be mistaken for a lockdown defender. Harrison’s size and quickness allow him to defend both guard positions. Plus, the Kentucky product is an extremely proficient player in the high pick-and-roll that starts so many Brett Brown offensive sets.

Mouhammadou Jaiteh: Center, 6-11/247, France
Extremely raw, but the potential could be too great to pass up. Jaiteh can use his size and superior strength to get position in the paint. Despite picking up the game as a teenager, Jaiteh has the benefit of already playing against grown men, which shows in how he attacks the glass. If he were to get a bit more explosive and work on his defense, the Sixers could have a monster on their hands.

Rakeem Christmas: Power forward/center, 6-10/243, Syracuse
Did we mention that the Sixers could use frontcourt help? The Philly native Christmas is a classic bruiser, who isn't afraid to mix it up in the paint. He had his best season for the Orange as a senior in 2014-15 (17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game), and he's even shown improvement in his game throughout the predraft process. He will likely have a tough transition to the NBA's strictly man-to-man scheme after living in the 2-3 zone for so long at Syracuse, but that shouldn't stop him from making an impact right away.

J.P. Tokoto: Shooting guard, 6-6/196, North Carolina
With Tony Wroten rehabbing from a torn ACL and K.J. McDaniels in Houston, look for the Sixers to add some athleticism to the backcourt. It doesn’t get much more athletic than Tokoto. The guard has strong defensive instincts and is spectacular in the open court, where he can fill the lanes and soar to the rim. His jump shot and production in halfcourt sets needs some work, but the same thing was said about McDaniels before Brown’s staff got a hold of him.

Nikola Milutinov: Center, 7-0/220, Serbia
A true grinder. Milutinov doesn’t just rely on his size to get the job done. He takes it to opponents with an attacking style and high motor. The 20-year-old is no stranger to finishing above the rim or through contact. He bounced back from a knee injury to average 9.8 points and 7.6 boards in 28.0 minutes a game in the Adriatic League this past season. Just beginning to test his jump shot range in games, Milutinov is a perfect draft and stash candidate for the Sixers.

Olivier Hanlan: Point guard/shooting guard, 6-4/186, Boston College
It’s all about optionality, right? Hanlan would give the Sixers plenty of options on the court. The Canadian combo guard is able to operate offensively both on and off the ball. He carried a heavy workload at Boston College and was still able to average 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season. A willing defender with a high basketball IQ, Hanlan would give the Sixers some nice pop off the bench.

Christian Wood: Power forward, 6-11/216, UNLV
This is another one of those tough calls. Depending on who you talk to, Wood could go anywhere from late in the first round to deep in the second. The Sixers may have to part with some of those second-round picks for a move to get him, but they won’t be sorry. With a 7-3 wingspan, Wood is an ultra stretch four. He has a strong face-up game, mainly based on a versatile skill set that allows him to attack the rim, get deep enough for a floater or just shoot over the top. The main question will be whether he can add enough weight to his frail frame to bang in the NBA.

Shawn Dawson: Shooting guard/small forward, 6-6/195, Israel
Dawson, whose father played for years in the CBA and overseas, is ready to carry the family name to the NBA. The younger Dawson is a supremely athletic swingman who lives above the rim. His physical gifts are best displayed in the open court, where Dawson can take the ball coast to coast himself or simply fill the lane for a thunderous alley-oop. The Sixers certainly could help him take the next step with his jumper. Dawson’s biggest hurdle will be proving he wasn’t just taking advantage of lesser athletes in Israel.

Tyler Harvey: Shooting guard, 6-4/181, Eastern Washington
Now that the Larry O’Brien trophy is held by the Warriors mainly because of a sharpshooting backcourt, expect every team to be searching for the next great shooter. Harvey could be just that, as he led the nation in scoring last season with 22.9 points per game. He also shot a blistering 43.1 percent from three-point range. He might be a bit of a defensive liability, but that’s why you have Nerlens Noel lurking around the rim.

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