The eighth pick in the 2014 CSL Draft was an interesting case. With three first round picks, the Sixers had a surplus of four second round picks and were actively monitoring the interest of other GM’s wanting to move up the draft order. As the deadline for this pick was approaching, it appeared that the Sixers found a suitor in the form of the Boston Celtics. With the groundwork of a deal mapped out (namely, in exchange for the 2015 LAK 2nd and 2016 BOS 2nd picks), all that needed to be done was for the Celtics’ organization to inform the Sixers’ front office of their selection. All of a sudden, Glenn Robinson III out of the University of Michigan was selected as the 38th overall pick. Soon into the season, the trade broke down and Robinson remained on the 76ers roster. In retaining Robinson, the Sixers have seemed to settle him into their first man off the bench. Slated as a small forward, Robinson has been serving as a 2/3 due to his high outside shooting potential. With decent size (standing at 6’7” 211lbs), Robinson has been able to body up against positions ranging from 1 to 4. Averaging around 23min of playing time to date, his 0.418fg and 0.3703p% has made him an offensive asset when on the floor. Overall Grade: B
Robinson has filled the role of serviceable 6th man admirably as a rookie, but can he develop into more?
Looking for depth at the sequential pick, the Sixers had already have taken a small forward (Jabari Parker), shooting guard (James Young), power forward (Adreian Payne), and swingman (Glenn Robinson III). The obvious position here would be backup to current starting point guard Michael Carter-Williams. Though having proven more than adequate as a scoring point guard as a rookie, MCW was known to turn the ball over quite frequently. Searching for more ball security, the Sixers selected Ian Miller out the of Florida State University as the 39th overall pick. To date Miller has served as just that, a break for returning sophomore point guard Michael Carter-Williams. In his limited floor time (15.5mpg), Miller has produced sufficiently with a 2.1 ast/to ratio (comparatively to MCW’s 2.4) and 6.4ppg. The jury is not completely out on Miller, but it is tough to give him a fair shake on his limited floor action. Overall Grade: C
The Sixers were looking for a more secure ball handler in Ian Miller, but unfortunately he hasn’t had much playing time to date.
With a little more time to breathe and plan then the last two picks, the Sixers weren’t up again for another 4 picks. Continuing their idea of filling holes in the roster, the Sixers had one vacancy left by this methodology, backup center. When the 43rd pick rolled around, Philadelphia chose another Miller in the form of Daniel Miller from Georgia Tech (no relation). Although he has had limited time off the bench in relief of returning starting center, Nerlens Noel, Daniel has surely made the most of his time on the court. In his 17.4mpg, Miller has averaged 7.3ppg, 1.2or, 4,4rpg, and 1.0bpg while shooting 0.446 from the field. Though these might seem like small averages, when extrapolated to a full night’s work (~30mpg), Miller’s numbers approximately double, making his output rival that of current starter, Noel. Now obviously it cannot be assumed that this would be the case, but time and again, Miller has not suggested otherwise when given the chance. Overall Grade: B+
Daniel Miller has had his eye on the prize when given the chance on the court. If this continues, he might be given a bigger change very soon.
The clock was winding down on the Philadelphia 76ers’ busy draft night, meanwhile they still had one more pick left in eight more selections. At this point, most of their roster necessities were filled as they found themselves in the proverbial best available situation. To fill this role Philly decided on 6’9”, 190lb power forward Travis Wear from UCLA. At his stature Wear could also slot into a swingman position, similar to Robinson, but more towards the front court. Unfortunately, being that it is a youth heavy roster, Wear has not found as much time on the court as his fellow Sixer rookies. That is not to say that he hasn’t had success though. In his limited 13.4mpg, Wear has tallied 6.4ppg, 3.0rpg, and 0.9bpg, decent numbers as a developing big. As with Ian Miller, it’s tough to rate Wear’s play, but for the sake of consistency... Overall Grade: C+
As with many rookies, Travis Wear has had a tough time finding playing time, but has shown spurts of ability while competing.
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2028