With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise’s history.
This edition focuses on the 2013 draft when the Sixers selected Syracuse guard Michael Carter-Williams with the No. 11 overall pick. Philadelphia had just traded All-Star guard Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans earlier in the evening so the Sixers needed his replacement. They found it in Carter-Williams.
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The 6-foot-6 guard went on to win Rookie of the Year with averages of 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals while shooting 40.5% from the floor. He had one halluva NBA debut going for 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals, and seven rebounds while guiding the Sixers to an upset win over LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and the defending champion Miami Heat. Carter-Williams looked like he was going to be a Sixers fixture for quite some time.
However, he missed time to begin the 2014-15 season due to offseason shoulder surgery and he got off to a slow start. He was then traded to the Milwaukee Bucks at the deadline in 3-team deal that netted a 2018 draft pick.
Carter-Williams would go on to play nine years in the league. He played for the Sixers, Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic. He averaged 10.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across his nine seasons playing in the league.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers draft history: Michael Carter-Williams selected No. 11 in 2013