76ers want to trade up for No. 1 pick to draft Andrew Wiggins

The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t have the luck they were hoping for at the NBA draft lottery, but the team is still reportedly trying to trade up for the No. 1 overall pick. Philadelphia is offering its No. 3 overall pick and 25-year-old power forward Thad Young to the Cleveland Cavaliers for No. 1 overall, according to ESPN’s Chad Ford. Ford says the Sixers have their eye on Kansas forward Andrew Wiggins, and that Wiggins’ camp also prefers Philadelphia over No. 1 Cleveland and No. 2 Milwaukee.

The 76ers have been engaging in trade talks with the Cavaliers, but are reportedly unwilling to give up the No. 10 overall pick in the deal. Philadelphia acquired that pick from the New Orleans Pelicans on draft day a year ago in a deal that sent Jrue Holliday to the Big Easy.

Wiggins is a logical fit in Philadelphia’s system. The 76ers played at the fastest pace in the NBA last year, and the uptempo scheme would mesh perfectly with Wiggins’ supreme athleticism. The former Jayhawk proved himself to be a terror in transition at Kansas. He’ll be better with more opportunities to run early in his career.

Wiggins’ highlight potential on the fast break obscures where he could help the Sixers the most, and that’s on the defensive end. Philadelphia finished with the fourth-worst defense in the NBA last season, per NBA.com. Wiggins is considered a much better defender than fellow top prospect Jabari Parker because of his length and lateral quickness.

Wiggins’ ability to get up and down the floor makes him a better fit in Philadelphia than Parker. The presence of Nerlens Noel, the No. 6 pick in last year’s draft, means the Sixers don’t really need Joel Embiid. It makes sense that Philadelphia would covet Wiggins, and they have the assets to make Cleveland think long and hard about a deal.

While no one can ever tell what the Cavaliers are thinking on draft day, there is a growing consensus that Wiggins may be available for Philadelphia even without a trade. The latest mock drafts from Chad Ford and Draft Express each have Wiggins falling into the Sixers’ lap at No. 3. It would be a perfect scenario for Philadelphia.

Cleveland needs a big man with the two-way potential of Embiid, the only lingering question centers on his health. If he checks out medically, Embiid would appear to be the leader in the clubhouse to go No. 1 overall. The thornier scenario from Philadelphia’s perspective involves the Bucks’ decision at No. 2. Parker’s advanced offensive game does seem like the best fit in Milwaukee, but it’s possible the Bucks could be blown away by Wiggins’ athleticism in a private workout setting.

Would the 76ers really waste an asset like Young if it seems like Wiggins will be there at No. 3? It’s something GM Sam Hinkie will have to consider.

Let’s specify: it’s very likely Philadelphia would trade No. 3 and Young for No. 1. Will Cleveland actually accept it? That’s a different story. The Bucks would likely be salivating if Embiid fell to No. 2, which means Cleveland only makes this deal if the player it really covets is Parker. That may very well be true, but it’s too early in the process to state it as fact.

There are only 16 days left until the 2014 NBA Draft. Deep breaths, everyone.