With the 2026 NBA draft fast approaching, the first round is on June 23, now’s the time to look at some potential options for the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 22 pick. If one wants to look at Sixers Wire’s draft big board, one can do so here.
This series will focus on specific players. The Sixers have a first-round pick thanks to the Jared McCain trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Houston Rockets. After a trip to Round 2 of the playoffs, the Sixers have an opportunity to add to the roster and get themselves another talented young piece around Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe for the future.
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Up next in this series is Karim Lopez, who spent the 2025-26 season with the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL:
Strengths
Lopez offers a lot on the basketball court. He has a lot of length, has a ton of natural basketball instincts–rare for a player so young (19)–and he plays with a ton of energy and a certain competitive spirit that makes players so successful. Deciding not to go to college and go play professionally overseas, Lopez has done some terrific things for the Breakers and is going to make life easier for whoever drafts him in June.
Lopez has the ability to put the ball on the floor, get to the basket, pull up in the mid-range, and make plays for others. He averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 50.2% from the floor. He did take 3.0 triples per game and shot 32.6% from deep in 31 games with the Breakers in 2025-26. He stands at 6-foot-5 and has a clear understanding of how to make an impact on the floor as he puts his fingerprints in all aspects of the game. He is exactly what you want out of a late first-round pick.
Weaknesses
If there are concerns about Lopez’s game, it’s his 3-point shot and his lack of movement off the ball. He is much better with the ball in his hands, which allows him to create offense both for himself and his teammates. If he is placed in a role where he sits on the perimeter and waits for an opportunity, then teams may sag off him due to the 3-point inconsistencies. As mentioned above, he didn’t shoot it at a high enough volume to keep defenses honest. He also has a tendency of not moving without the ball, so that is something that will have to be developed.
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Potential fit with the Sixers
Lopez has a ton of NBA skills that fit and help a team right now. He can get to the basket, create offense in the half-court, and be helpful in transition while also being able to be effective on the defensive end of the floor. There are concerns, but one can see him as something of a big ball-handler off the bench for the Sixers. It is going to be interesting to see where he lands because he is somebody who can help right away, which fits a team like Philadelphia in the present.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 2026 NBA draft profiles: Philadelphia 76ers prospect Karim Lopez