Could Colorado’s Tristan Da Silva be a plug-and-play option for the Sixers at 16?

For the next month before the 2024 NBA Draft, we’ll take an in-depth look at different prospects here at Liberty Ballers and try to figure out which players would be the best fit for the Sixers at Nos. 16 and 41. First up in this series is Colorado’s Tristan da Silva.

Tristan da Silva made a name for himself at Colorado, staying all four years and developing into a two-way wing. Now, he’ll enter the draft as a potential great fit for several teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers.

Profile

2023-24 Stats: 34 games, 33.8 minutes, 16 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks, 49.2% FG, 39.5% 3P, 83.5% FT

Team: Colorado

Year: Senior

Position: SF/PF

Height & Weight: 6’8.25” | 216.8 lbs

Born: May 15th, 2001 (23 years old)

Hometown: Munich, Germany

High School: Ludwigsgymnasium

Strengths

Tristan da Silva is one of this draft’s older players, which means he has a more polished skillset than most projected in the mid-to-late first round. Da Silva has a refined shot, shooting above average on nearly five attempts from three per game during his last season. Per Synergy, Da Silva hit nearly 40 percent of his catch-and-shoot three-point attempts. He’s capable of scoring in a variety of ways, including at the rim where he converted 63 percent of his shots. Da Silva is one of the better wing playmakers in this draft, and is very capable of running pick-and-rolls, making an entry pass (!!!!), or using his left hand to make creative wrap around passes. Defensively Da Silva is solid with enough quickness to switch screens and the awareness to make rotations off the ball.

Weaknesses

Tristan Da Silva simply doesn’t have the tools to be a full-time creator or play finisher at the next level. In the NBA, his offensive skillset will likely be limited to slashes and shooting. He also lacks foot speed and a good enough handle to create separation at the next level. Da Silva isn’t an elite athlete compared to other prospects in his projected range, which will limit his ability as a roller and lob finisher, along with his ability to turn the corner on drives. He isn’t a bad rebounder for his size, but also isn’t as good as most would expect.

Positional Fit

Da Silva is a bonafide forward, and should be able to swap between small and power forward with relative ease. As stated above, Da Silva has struggled being a roller, which may limit any ability to play him as a center in small-ball lineups. In the NBA, Da Silva could be a Kyle Anderson (with better shooting) type of player, who doesn’t rely on crazy athleticism and plays within his role.

Draft Projection

SB Nation mock draft: No. 23, Milwaukee Bucks

The highest Da Silva seems to go in mock drafts is right where the Sixers are selected to pick, around 16. Most mock drafts have him going later in the first round, which makes him an intriguing trade down candidate. Don’t expect him to fall past the thirties, however, as multiple win-now teams will be looking at him as an early contributor.