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Sixers draft history: Furkan Korkmaz selected No. 26 overall in 2016
With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise's history.
This edition continues to focus on the 2016 draft as the Sixers used the final of three first-round picks. After selecting Ben Simmons first overall and then Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot at No. 24, the Sixers selected Turkey swingman Furkan Korkmaz with the No. 26 overall pick.
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After spending the 2016-17 season overseas, Korkmaz made his debut in the NBA in the 2017-18 season and played in only 14 games as a rookie. He played 48 games in 2018-19--while also making the first of many trade requests--and had his breakthrough in the 2019-20 season when he averaged 9.8 points and shot 40.2% from deep while playing in 72 games with 12 starts.
Overall, Korkmaz requested a trade multiple times as he was unhappy with his playing time at different moments with the Sixers. He ended up spending seven seasons in Philadelphia before finally being sent to the Indiana Pacers at the 2024 deadline in the Buddy Hield deal. He averaged 6.8 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 35.6% from deep during his time in the league. He was waived by the Pacers after the trade.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers draft history: Furkan Korkmaz selected No. 26 overall in 2016
