Sixers Find Perfect Joel Embiid Complement in First Round

The long wait is over and the Philadelphia 76ers finally made their selection in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. With the roster basically a blank slate, GM Daryl Morey could have gone a variety of ways but opted to go with more shooting and off-ball ability. With the 16th overall pick in the draft, the Sixers selected Jared McCain out of Duke.

Sixers News: Philadelphia Drafts Jared McCain with No. 16 Overall Pick

This makes a ton of sense for Philadelphia. The Sixers already have elite shot creation with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. They need players who can fit around them and space the floor. McCain does exactly that.

McCain is one of the best shooters in this draft class. He doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective but he is a solid pick-and-roll player when needed.

At 6'2, he is slightly undersized to play shooting guard but he is an active and aggressive defender. He is a great rebounder for his size and possesses enough strength to not be a total liability on that end of the floor.

The Sixers have struggled to find enough shooting around Embiid at times. That is why they traded for Buddy Hield at last season's trade deadline. Now Hield is an unrestricted free agent and if they can't hold on to him, McCain is a great replacement on a team-friendly deal for multiple years. Considering that he was considered a lottery pick on some draft boards, the Sixers could have done much worse here.

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