Entering the 2018 NBA draft, Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith was a player high on the 76ers’ draft board. While not necessarily known for his scoring ability (averaged just 11.3 ppg in college), Zhaire was an intriguing prospect due to his elite defense and “jump out of the gym” athleticism. He made the Big-12 All-Defensive Team in his sole year of college ball and was described as “freakishly explosive” by NBA scouts.
The Sixers’ front office liked Zhaire so much that they went as far as trading one of their own top prospects, Mikal Bridges, for the young guard (the 76ers also received a future first-round pick in the deal which would later help them land current starter Tobias Harris).