The Philadelphia 76ers are unlikely to move the no.3 overall pick in the 2017 Nba Draft despite receiving trade offers from multiple teams. According to veteran NBA insider David Aldridge, Kansas Jayhawks star Josh Jackson emerges as the obvious pick for the Sixers because of his immense upside, though Kentucky’s sweet-shooting guard Malik Monk also made a strong case for himself as a top-3 pick.

In his pre-draft article on NBA.com, Aldridge discussed the most likely order of lottery pick selections, starting off with the Boston Celtics’ projected top pick Markelle Fultz.

The NBA writer also believed UCLA’s Lonzo Ball is L.A-bound with the Los Angeles Lakers, as Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are really enamored with the prospect’s playmaking ability.

Jackson or Monk

As for the Sixers, Aldridge thinks Jackson is the favorite to go out at no.3 since they have been searching for a wing who can fit in nicely with their young core. Jackson, who averaged 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in his lone season at Kansas, could become the Sixers’ top on-ball defender while putting up steady numbers on the offensive end as well.

However, the Sixers are also interested in Malik Monk, who is considered the best shooter in this draft class. The Kentucky product averaged 19.8 points on 45 percent FG shooting and 39 percent from beyond the arc.

However, NBA Draft experts think Monk is better off at the point guard position because he’s not going to shoot over or out-power NBA-level two-guards at 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame.

“With Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and Dario Saric up front, and Ben Simmons healthy, a wing seems the obvious pick here. Would Philly go for Kentucky’s Malik Monk this high, or make the safer choice of Kansas’ Jackson, a potential superstar at the three,?” per Aldridge.

Surprised picks

Stefan Bonday of the Daily News reported on Thursday that North Carolina State’s Dennis Smith Jr. and Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox are also in play for the Sixers’ no.3 pick. Although Ben Simmons is projected to be the starting point guard for Philadelphia next season, drafting another playmaker will give the Sixers depth at the point guard spot and some insurance in case Simmons can’t handle full-time playmaking duties.

Fox, who is rated as the third best point guard in the 2017 NBA Draft, averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists in his freshman season at Kentucky, while Smith Jr. put up 18.1 points, 6.2 assists 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game at N.C State.