Turner now favors Sixers

After originally wanting to be the overall No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, Evan Turner is now determined to become the second overall pick, which is owned by the 76ers.

The Ohio State junior even refused to participate in predraft workout with the Washington Wizards, who hold the No. 1 pick. He declined to work out for any team except for the Sixers.

But back on May 20 the 6-foot-7, 210-pounder wanted to become a Wizard.

Why the switch?

"The Wizards are looking for their best choice, and my agent [David Faulk] and I are looking for my best choice," said Turner, who participated in the Sixers' predraft workout Thursday along with Villanova's Reggie Redding and Temple's Ryan Brooks at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

"Philadelphia is a better choice than the Washington Wizards," he added. "My agent and I sat down and we talked. . . . He said Philly was a great city and that was the best situation."

Even though some inside the Wizards' organization like Turner, Washington is expected to use the first pick on Kentucky freshman John Wall, who worked out with the team Thursday.

Turner was once seen as the favorite to be taken by the Sixers. But, although Turner had dinner with Sixers coach Doug Collins on Wednesday, things could change since the Sixers traded center Samuel Dalembert to the Sacramento Kings for center Spencer Hawes and forward Andres Nocioni. With Dalembert gone, the Sixers could lean in the direction of Georgia Tech freshman Derrick Favors, a 6-10 power forward who will work out with the team Friday.

"I would kind of be surprised, definitely," Turner said of possibly not being the Sixers' first pick.

The team is scheduled to bring back Brooks for another workout Friday. He will be joined by Favors, Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins and La Salle's Rodney Green. Syracuse's Wesley Johnson will work out for the team Saturday.

Approaching the bench. As expected, Michael Curry, Brian James, Aaron McKie and Quin Snyder have been officially named assistant coaches.

Contact staff writer Keith Pompey at 610-313-8029 or kpompey@phillynews.com.