Philadelphia 76ers: Which Duke freshman fits best in Philly?

While Zion Williamson may receive all of the national headlines, it’s entirely possible that RJ Barrett may jump him and become the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, he’s just that good.

The top player in ESPN’s 2018 high school class, Barrett, much like Williamson, Jones, and Reddish, was a consensus five-star recruit and a McDonald’s All-American. Sense a pattern here?

However, unlike Williamson, or Reddish, Barrett can shoot and create his own shot among the best players in all of college basketball.

Outscoring every single player on the court in Duke’s opening night game against Kentucky, the second-best-recruiting class in the nation, Barrett looked like the sure-fire best Dukes’s roster, and the one most likely to have his game translate into the pros.

That’s why many will consider Barrett the premier talent in the 2020 NBA draft; unlike Zion Williamson, Barrett could conceivably slot in on any team in the NBA and be an excellent starter on the wings.

With scheme flexibility, a reliable outside shot, and the shoot first mentality of a premier shooting guard, Barrett looks primed to have a long, incredibly successful NBA career regardless of where he lands, a landing-place that all but certainly won’t be Philadelphia. After trading a premier pick to secure Markelle Fultz draft rights in 2017, it’s all but impossible that the Philadelphia 76ers can do so again to secure RJ Barrett’s draft rights, regardless of how well he would fit with their current core on the court.

Fit Grade: A

Which current Dukie would you like to see on the Philadelphia 76ers roster? Let us know in the comments section below!