The Philadelphia 76ers are now focused on the 2024 NBA Draft as injuries plague their current season. With nine games left, the emphasis shifts to acquiring young talent to secure a top-6 pick.

Four promising players to watch during the Sweet 16 include Cooper Flagg from Duke, an all-around talent with the potential to be a No. 1 pick. Kon Knueppel, also from Duke, is a sharpshooter who could complement stars like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center, offers elite rim protection and is a lob threat. Lastly, JT Toppin from Texas Tech could address the backup big man role behind Embiid.

This year's NCAA Tournament is poised to feature a highly anticipated player, Cooper Flagg, from Duke, who is recovering from an ankle sprain but expected to make a significant impact. With Duke holding the No. 1 seed in the East Region, Flagg's participation could be a game-changer, considering he might be the top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Interestingly, the last two top selections in the draft did not have NCAA Tournament experience, a trend that Flagg could break. Other notable players to keep an eye on include Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper from Rutgers, who, despite their talents, won’t be competing in March Madness due to their team's poor performance. Additionally, standout freshmen like V.J. Edgecombe from Baylor and Maryland's Derik Queen are also making waves with impressive statistics this season, further enriching the pool of NBA prospects in the tournament.

Week 19 brings a return to normalcy in the NBA schedule, with many teams poised for four-game matchups. This expanded slate provides ample opportunity for fantasy players to capitalize on underutilized talent. Malik Beasley of the Detroit Pistons stands out as a must-start option, showcasing an impressive scoring ability off the bench. Also, Keyonte George of the Utah Jazz is expected to flourish amid injuries to key players, with his recent production mirroring starter-level efficiency.

Conversely, Darius Garland, who has not played recent games due to injury, should be benched this week, especially with a tough slate against the Magic and Celtics. In the forward category, Toumani Camara is a rising star for the Trail Blazers, while Ausar Thompson is holding his own on the Pistons. Lastly, centers like Kel'el Ware and Yves Missi are valuable additions in favorable matchups.

The 2023 NBA Draft presented a highly anticipated class, featuring generational talent Victor Wembanyama, who has lived up to the hype with remarkable performances, despite recent concerns regarding his durability due to a season-ending blood clot issue. Meanwhile, Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller, both top-five selections, have seen varying success in their rookie seasons. Henderson has shown improvement in his second year, while Miller struggles with injury impacts his progress.

Amen Thompson, once seen as a tier below, has outperformed expectations, standing out as an elite athlete and defender. The redraft of this year highlights how teams might have prioritized Thompson over others, particularly in the case of the Portland Trail Blazers, who initially selected Henderson. As the draft class continues to evolve, it’s clear that the long-term potential of these players remains a hot topic.