Michael Carter-Williams has received nearly unanimous support for his Rookie of the Year candidacy. Call it what you will: a weak crop of first-year players, inflated stats on a terrible team, gaudy numbers aided by an accelerated pace of play, etc. But it can’t be denied that his season has been impressive, with averages of 16.7 pts, 6.3 asts, and 6.2 rbs, along with a PER of 15.7.   

Nobody was anticipating this type of success from Carter-Williams so quickly, particularly with a disappointing Summer League showing and college statistics that suggested a Josh Smith-level of shooting competence. However, his advantages over most point guards in size (6’6’’) and length (Gumby-esque) became apparent from the first game of his career (the famed home opener victory over the Heat in which the rookie had nine steals). 

It hasn’t been perfect though. He has plenty of room to grow and lots to improve upon. The shooting remains an issue (26 percent from 3), as does his strength (can be easily dissuaded at the rim and moved out of position defensively due to his waifish frame). Additionally, although he is very athletic, on the defensive end he can struggle against the prototypical “water bug” point guards (your Ty Lawsons, John Walls, Jeff Teagues). Without a reliable rim protector (former AAU teammate and league-best flat top Nerlens Noel sat out this year rehabbing an ACL injury), this deficiency is made more apparent.

With two lottery picks in the upcoming draft (a top-5 pick and the likely No. 10 pick from New Orleans), the 76ers need to look at players that will gel with MCW and minimize his shortcomings.  

With the Top-5 Pick 

- Andrew Wiggins 

Aside from being arguably the best prospect in this draft, Wiggins also happens to fit in perfectly with MCW and Noel. Wiggins has great potential on the defensive end and like Carter-Williams, can guard multiple positions. Wiggins has also shown the ability to be a capable shooter (34 percent from 3, which should improve in the NBA, or at least reach respectable levels). MCW’s ability to penetrate using his speed and size has been evident all season, the only problem is that he hasn’t had capable scorers on the wing or the interior. Wiggins would immediately provide that additional perimeter threat that this team sorely needs.  The result of coupling Wiggins with MCW and Noel (especially if they hang on to fellow gazelle Thaddeus Young) could be one of the most devastating fast breaks in the league. 

- Jabari Parker

Parker has proven to be a consistent shooter all season with Duke, and while his abilities on the other end have come into doubt, as well as his true position in the NBA, the Simeon product would make a lethal outside threat on the break. Parker’s fit is pretty perfect on the offensive end considering the lack of scoring ability on this team and his knack for it. Defensively, it remains to be seen how well a potential 4-5 combination of Parker and Noel would work. That is if Parker's primary position in the NBA is at power forward.    

- Julius Randle 

A Calipari connection between Randle and Noel would certainly make for some interesting frontcourt bonding.  Randle’s Z-Bo 2.0 would pair nicely with Noel’s inevitable finger wag.  It would also give MCW a reliable interior post presence and pick and roll/pick and pop partner for a decade.  I just have a gut feeling that Randle is pretty low on Sam Hinkie’s big board in comparison to Wiggins and to a lesser extent Parker. 

With the #10 Pick

- Gary Harris

The Michigan State shooting guard should be available with the No. 10 pick, and would be a likely pick for the Sixers if they end up taking a frontcourt player with the top-5 pick (Parker, Embiid, Randle). Harris can shoot and defend. If we are looking solely at fit, Harris might be the best complementary player to pair with MCW based on the prospects available when the Sixers select. The lack of true shooting guard options in this late lottery range also makes Harris a sensible option. 

- Aaron Gordon

I only see the Sixers taking Arizona’s Gordon if two things happen. 1) If they take Wiggins (or Dante Exum) with the Top-5 pick and 2) he somehow falls to number #10. With Gordon, like Wiggins, the team’s athleticism would be off the charts.  The offense however, might be painful to watch. His 42 percent free throw shooting is troublesome and already conjures the Hack-A-Gordon strategy that opposing coaches would employ. Brett Brown devoted this entire season to rebuilding Nerlens Noel’s shot with alleged success. Perhaps the same can be done for Manimal Griffin. 

- Zach LaVine

Certainly the biggest boom-or-bust pick at this range, UCLA’s LaVine has drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook. The bounce is there, the strength and fiery attitude have a ways to go.  ]The 76ers would have to be convinced that a LaVine and MCW backcourt could work, and right now, that is a scrawny pair with questionable off-the-ball abilities. The one thing LaVine has going for him is a consistent outside shot with a quick release. That combined with his upside is worth taking a flyer on at No. 10.