The 76ers have no illusions entering tonight's NBA draft. Without a first-round pick, the brain trust at Sixers draft central will have a long wait. The team won't have much hope of landing a sleeper at the 50th pick in the second round, when the Sixers finally get to select a player.

The Sixers traded their first-round pick and Roshown McLeod to Boston for Jerome Moiso in 2001. (Moiso never played a game in a Sixers uniform; he was dealt to the Hornets as part of a three-team deal that brought Derrick Coleman to Philadelphia in October 2001.)

There are other options, such as moving up in the draft, but the Sixers shouldn't be expected to vault all the way to the first round.

A number of teams, however, would like to rid themselves of a first-round pick. That's because the 29 first-rounders are guaranteed three-year contracts, with the amount of each contract depending on the draft slot. Even the 29th player is guaranteed nearly $2.16 million over the three years.

With the impending luxury tax, many teams would like to get rid of a three-year guaranteed deal for someone who may not be more than the 11th or 12th player on the roster.

A possible strategy is for the Sixers to move up higher in the second round.