Sixers' President states pick philosophy ahead of NBA draft

Sixers' President states pick philosophy ahead of NBA draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>One of the bigger points of the Philadelphia 76ers' offseason will be their decision on what to do with the 22nd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, having acquired the mid-to-late first-round pick in the infamous Jared McCain trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline.

>While some might have gotten used to what Daryl Morey would do during the NBA draft, things in the City of Brotherly Love have changed in recent months, as the organization parted ways with Morey and began a long search for his successor.

>That search would lead them to hire Mike Gansey, who had been serving as the General Manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the team’s new President of Basketball Operations, which will see him be a big part of the team's proceedings moving forward, including the aforementioned draft.

Gansey's draft philosophyDuring his introductory press conference, Gansey elaborated on his draft philosophy regarding a pick at that stage in the first round, explaining that it’s not about getting the highest skill ceiling, but also the ability to mesh with the core of Philadelphia’s squad.

>“I think at 22, you want to get a combination of best player available and best fit with our roster, so we’re going to dive into that the next two weeks and try to get the best person and player for the Sixers,” Gansey stated to the press.

>The Sixers’ new president would expand on his role with the Cavaliers, stating that he had a heavy hand in their drafting decisions.

>“I ran the draft in Cleveland, so I was really big in the player personnel and the evaluation,” explained Gansey.

>Given that the draft is just two weeks away, it will be some serious crunch time for the Philadelphia front office, as they look towards what they should do with their pick. A recent mock draft showed that the Sixers would add some championship-winning experience to their core, drafting a forward from the defending NCAA champions, the Michigan Wolverines.

>More Sixers news:

76ers reportedly hiring Mike Gansey to fill front office vacancy • >Sixers' Tyrese Maxey puts league on notice with recent post • >Sixers' Tyrese Maxey named to All-NBA third team • >Sixers' executive catching interest from Mavericks • >Sixers linked to All-Big 12 wing in recent mock draft