With the 2023 NBA draft right around the corner, it’s time to continue looking at some potentially undrafted players who the Philadelphia 76ers could look into to add to the roster.
The Sixers do not have a draft pick in the 2023 NBA draft on June 22. They traded their first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal that brought James Harden to the City of Brotherly Love at the 2022 deadline, and they were docked second-round picks in 2023 and 2024 by the NBA for tampering.
However, that doesn’t mean the Sixers will or should be inactive around the draft process. There will be a number of talented players who go undrafted, meaning the Sixers should be able to add a young player who could potentially become a rotation piece.
Next up in this series is Washington State big man Mouhamed Gueye.
Strengths
Gueye is a bouncy athletic forward who was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team. He had a terrific season as he averaged 14.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists on 48.8% shooting from the field in 33 games. He led the conference in double-doubles (15) and was 18th in the country in offensive rebounding (111).
That offensive rebounding is a big skill that the Sixers could benefit from. He is active on the glass, he has strong enough to carve out space for himself underneath the basket, and he’s a willing passer off those rebounds. He isn’t just going to go back up if he doesn’t have the shot. He’ll find the open shooter.
Weaknesses
Gueye is far from a finished product in terms of his work on the offensive end. He still needs to add a jump shot, he has to be a better finisher around the rim, and he has to improve his free-throw shooting. On the defensive end, he can be a better shot-blocker when considering his size and athleticism.
Mock draft projection
In the latest Rookie Wire mock draft, Gueye is selected with the 49th overall pick.
