The experts grade Evan Turner

The Sixers did exactly what everyone said they should do when they drafted Evan Turner at the 2010 NBA Draft. Naturally, since the Sixers got the second best player in the draft with the second overall pick, the general consensus has been that the Sixers had a good draft overall. Here is just a sampling of what some experts are saying about the Sixers draft:

Chad Ford, ESPN: A-
The 76ers snagged the best player in college basketball and have to be thrilled. Turner's versatility and ability to lead in big moments are the stuff that makes players great. His lack of elite athleticism and his high turnover rate are some cause for concern, but most see him with similar upside to Brandon Roy.

More problematic is Turner's fit in Philly. He and Andre Iguodala are similar players and both are at their best with the ball in their hands. I think it's likely that the Sixers will try to find a trade for Iguodala this summer. If they can replace him with a shooter, Turner could be the guy who turns the Sixers back into a contender.

Chris Mannix, SI.com: B+
Is Evan Turner going to be a good player? No question. Was he the consensus No. 2 pick? Absolutely. Is he going to be better than Wesley Johnson in three years? Ehhhhh. Turner was a no-brainer: He's polished, mature and a natural two-guard who, along with Jrue Holiday, gives Philly a dynamic backcourt that will be entrenched on Broad St. for the next decade. But Johnson was the high-riser in the 2010 draft, with every team -- including the Sixers -- gushing over his workouts. Philadelphia was after another late first-, early second-round pick most of the night but struck out, a result it may regret if Daniel Orton or Hassan Whiteside turn out to be players.

Tom Ziller, NBA Fanhouse: A
The Sixers added Evan Turner of Ohio State with the No. 2 pick. He should help them immediately, but you wonder if the Sixers will some day regret passing up on Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins.

Adi Joseph, NBADraft.net: A-
There's not much to say here. The Sixers took the man they wanted, the man their fans wanted and the man many felt was the best player available second overall. With John Wall being such an obvious first pick, they had plenty of time to sort through their possibilities. An argument for Derrick Favors is certainly valid, but there's a lot to like with Turner. His fit in Philadelphia depends largely on Andre Iguodala's future with the team.

Christopher Reina, RealGM.com: B+
Evan Turner is a pick you can't really quarrel with because the team needed a pure basketball player and someone that would be ready to contribute immediately. I have Turner ranked behind Cousins and Favors in terms of NBA potential, but I'd put him ahead of both on level of confidence. Even though Turner doesn't have the athleticism commonly seen from lead scoring guards, his versatility to play multiple positions and fill a box score will make him incredibly productive regardless.

For my thoughts on Turner, see my piece from yesterday.

(AP Photo)