August: A Quiet Month for the NBA
August is typically a slow period in the NBA. After a whirlwind of trades and actions in July—especially at the start—fans get to enjoy the Summer League, where we swoon over our favorite players from the June draft. Presently, we face some ongoing restricted free agency discussions that could stretch on until training camp, particularly regarding the Sixers and Quentin Grimes.
Time to Reflect on Past Transactions
With the offseason in full swing, it’s a fitting moment to review previous transactions and evaluate them. Sam Vecenie recently took this step, redrafting last year’s NBA Draft. Despite only playing in 23 games as a rookie, Jared McCain has emerged as a hidden gem for the Sixers, originally picked 16th overall. Vecenie has redrafted the top 20 picks of the 2024 draft, and we will analyze his selections in sections.
Redraft Picks 1-5
- Zaccharie Risacher (1 by ATL)
- Donovan Clingan (7 by POR)
Analysis: Other than McCain’s notable rise, there aren’t many significant surprises. Castle secured the Rookie of the Year title and looks ready to form a strong backcourt alongside De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper in San Antonio. The other players in this redraft are positioned close to their actual selections.
McCain’s Offensive Upside
Vecenie offered extensive analysis on each pick and underscored that no player showed greater offensive potential last season than McCain. While last year’s draft was viewed as weak, this still highlights McCain’s promising abilities. Particularly, he displayed excellent ball-handling skills and the ability to drive to the basket, especially in games where Tyrese Maxey sat out. As McCain matures and maintains his health, he could evolve into an elite offensive player.
Redraft Picks 6-10
- Matas Buzelis (11 by CHI)
- Ron Holland II (5 by DET)
- Zach Edey (9 by MEM)
- Jaylen Wells (39 by MEM)
- Kel’el Ware (15 by MIA)
Analysis: If the Sixers found value with McCain at 16th, consider the Memphis Grizzlies’ selection of Jaylen Wells at 39. While McCain was taken six spots higher, Wells shone as a Rookie of the Year finalist and contributed significantly on a playoff team. It raises the question: who has a brighter future, Memphis or Philadelphia?
Redraft Picks 11-16
- Alex Sarr (2 by WSH)
- Ajay Mitchell (38 by OKC)
- Kyshawn George (24 by WSH)
- Nikola Topic (12 by OKC)
- Kyle Filipowski (32 by UTAH)
Analysis: This group provides a few takeaways for the Sixers. One highlight is that Kyshawn George appears to be a first-round steal, whereas Alex Sarr struggles with strength against larger opponents. The potential acquisition of Mitchell by the Thunder emphasizes how Philadelphia’s draft strategy could come back to haunt them if their performance doesn’t improve this season.
Redraft Picks 16-20
- Bub Carrington (14 by WSH)
- Terrence Shannon Jr. (17 by MIN)
- Tristan Da Silva (18 by ORL)
- Isaiah Collier (29 by UTAH)
- Ryan Dunn (28 by PHX)
Analysis: This section mirrors where the Sixers drafted McCain. Carrington logged more minutes than anyone else in last year’s class. However, compared to McCain, he likely would not represent as valuable a selection. Notably, discussions around Dalton Knecht versus McCain prior to the draft highlight that immediate readiness shouldn’t overshadow the long-term potential that McCain offers as a foundational player for the future.
