2015 NBA Draft Fact Or Fiction: Lakers Taking Russell; Porzingis No. 1?

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) shoots the ball against Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) during the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men

Sixers will take Jahlil Okafor, D’Angelo Russell at No. 3?

Backstory: According to the New York Post, the Philadelphia 76ers won’t let Jahlil Okafor, D’Angelo Russell or Karl-Anthony Towns drop any further than the third position in the 2015 NBA Draft. 

While much has been rumored about how much the Sixers are intrigued by the idea of snagging Kristaps Porzingis with the No. 3 pick, it’s been clear throughout the last few weeks that the Sixers want D’Angelo Russell at No. 3. If he’s there.

If he isn’t though, it won’t be the end of the world, either.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Sixers will gladly take Jahlil Okafor with their third pick in the even that Russell unexpectedly goes No. 2 or No. 1 overall to the Lakers or Wolves, respectively.

In essence, the Knicks, who own the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft, can all but cross out Towns, Okafor and Russell from their big board. The Sixers won’t let any of those three pass them when they go on the clock. And it makes a ton of sense, especially considering that Sam Hinkie’s draft philosophy has always been taking the best player available.

Verdict: FACT

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