The Philadelphia 76ers need shooting. They need it badly. They need it to space the floor around Joel Embiid. They need it because Ben Simmons is a complete non-factor from outside of 15 feet. They need it because their best three shooters are all free agents.
The Sixers need shooting badly enough that finding it should be their only M.O. with this pick, regardless of position or potential limitations elsewhere. Tyler Herro or Cameron Johnson would have been home run selections, but were inconveniently swiped just ahead.
But Dylan Windler is a solid backup plan. He shot an impressive 42.9% from beyond, on 7.1 attempts per game as a senior. He has a quick release, an attacker’s mentality, and can shoot both off the dribble and pass.
Windler is also projected as a high-IQ passer and reasonable defender. He moves fluidly and is surprisingly springy (37.5” max vertical), while proving a hungry rebounder (10.8 per game as a perimeter gunner last season).
What Windler does not necessarily hold is upside. His athleticism and skill set are somewhat capped, and h will be 23 by season tip-off, a relic by rookie standards. This should mean little to Philly; a team clearly positioning themselves to maximize Embiid & Simmons, and win now.
Windler does the one thing they critically need very well, and may even bring other things to the table. He is an easy pickup here.