Philadelphia 76ers make splash in 2nd round of 2024 draft and undrafted free agent market

After selecting Jared McCain No. 16 overall, the Philadelphia 76ers selected UCLA center Adem Bona with the 41st overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft.

The 76ers then got to work in the undrafted free agent market, where they acquired both Kentucky forward Justin Edwards and Memphis forward David Jones on two-way contracts along with Rice center Max Fiedler in an Exhibit-10 contract.

A common trait for most of these pickups is their shared athleticism. The Sixers have been lacking a ton of youth and athleticism in recent years and Philadelphia certainly checked off that box https://t.co/5N9ohgoY3g

— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) June 28, 2024

The 76ers find a backup center for Joel Embiid with Adem Bona at pick No. 41 in Round 2

At 6’ 10 and 235 pounds, Adem Bona is joining the 76ers after two seasons as UCLA’s starting center. Last year, he averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, with a 61.9 true shooting percentage.

Adem Bona’s high motor and athleticism make him a strong rim protector, which is exactly what the 76ers need in a backup center. His elite shot-blocking and ability as a rim-runner, particularly in pick-and-roll situations, set him apart from other options that were still available with the 41st pick.

Bona is still pretty “raw”. He needs to work on his passing and develop a more versatile post-game, while using his high motor to grab rebounds at both ends of the court. That should be enough to secure a spot in the 76ers’ rotation and challenge Paul Reed for backup minutes at center.

Justin Edwards from Kentucky

Off-ball DEMON

Welcome home Justin Edwards😤 pic.twitter.com/nxzpPQjVmb

— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) June 27, 2024

The 6’ 8, 203 pound, Philadelphia native, Justin Edwards was one of my targets for the 76ers to select with the 41st overall pick. In his freshman year at Kentucky, Edwards averaged 8.8 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game, on 58.2% true shooting as a starter.

Justin Edwards is best known for his effectiveness off the ball as he thrives as a movement/spot-up shooter and making timely back-door cuts, while also possessing a mid-range pull-up game.

Edwards is a solid point-of-attack defender who can decently read passing lanes as well. 

Considering his modest production in his stint with Kentucky, it’s no wonder why Justin Edwards fell out of the draft. However, on a two-way contract with the 76ers, Edwards can mold into a solid “3&D” wing that could potentially crack the rotation in years to come.

David Jones from Memphis

https://twitter.com/AidanDoc_/status/1806477084510110059

Standing at 6’ 6 and 195 pounds, David Jones is heading into the NBA after a junior year that he started with St. Johns, before transferring to Memphis midway through the year.

In 32 games with the Tigers, Jones produced per-game averages of 21.8 points and 7.6 rebounds, on 59.2% true shooting and 38.0% perimeter shooting on 6.5 nightly attempts.

The 76ers certainly can’t go wrong with another efficient high-volume perimeter shooter, as Jones can drill both pull-up and spot-up threes, especially above the break.

Jones can also put it on the floor and get to the rim against single coverage with great physicality and quick penetration.

David Jones is a quality prospect to have on a two-way contract, but considering he has a similar playstyle to 76ers guard Terquavion Smith, it’ll be interesting to see how Philadelphia uses their third and final two-way slot.

Max Fielder from Rice

Rice’s Max Fiedler has agreed to an Exhibit-10 deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, I’m told.

The 6’11 ¼" big man boasts a unique statistical profile at his size, averaging 5+ AST per game the past two seasons.

Savvy post-facilitator, DHO hub, and decision-maker out of the elbows.

— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) June 27, 2024

Perhaps the most intriguing undrafted free agent for the 76ers is Max Fiedler, a 6’10”, 235-pound center from Rice. Fiedler, who meets Philadelphia’s super-senior quota, averaged 9.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in his final season, shooting 66.1% from the field.

Max Fiedler excels at being a passing/playmaking hub from the elbow, akin to Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis. He effectively utilizes rim gravity to find back-cutters and weak-side shooters, while also making connective passes to the open man.

It will be interesting to see if Fiedler’s advanced playmaking can transition to the NBA and if Philadelphia should consider giving him the final two-way slot.

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Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Rick Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)