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Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot Is Officially A Philadelphia 76er

By Bret Stuter

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Perhaps the most exciting player drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers this year has been that of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was not supposed to fall out of the lottery picks. In fact, he was not supposed to fall out of the top ten picks of the 2016 NBA Draft.  You see, he has the most potential of anyone in that draft class of becoming a true two-way threat, a player whose performance on the offensive side of the court is matched by the performance on the defensive side of the court.

He may not have the raw potential and versatility of Ben Simmons, nor the intimidating presence and two-years of anticipation of Joel Embiid, but he has something very special going for him.
He fills a huge unrequited need for the Philadelphia 76ers, and he was one of the highest rated players in the 2016 NBA Draft in that role.  Head coach Brett Brown loves two-way players, and the team may have stolen the top two way prospect.

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The shooting guard from Cannes, France stands 6-foot-6  with a 6-foot-11 wingspan and weighs in at 220 pounds.  His offensive game exploded when he joined the uptempo offense of Mega Leks uses, a tempo not unlike that employed by head coach Brett Brown’s Space Pace Pass offense.  He is a very versatile player, equipped to play either small forward or shooting guard in the NBA.

His speed cannot be emphasized enough.  Paired with Ben Simmons and Dario Saric with their ability to hurl coast to coast passes, his rim running and in game dunking skills will find a perfect home.  He is rapidly improving at he put up averaging 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in his first taste of top-flight international basketball.

And he’s just getting started.

Defensively, he is just beginning to realize his full potential.  He has the hands of a pick-pocket, earning him 3.1 steal rate this season, and he’s devoloping as a shot-blocker and strong help-side defender.  His youth and inexperience do surface however, as he misreads his defensive assignment and can be late on some rotations.

He can hit on his treys, averaging 37.3 percent from beyond the arc.   The only piece remaining was to get him signed and see how he manages NBA level competition.  Sign a contract, board a flight, and we get to see his play alongside that of Ben  Simmons and the rest of the 76ers summer league hopefuls.

Well that was easy enough. So what about Luwawu’s playing in the Summer league?

The key for Luwawu will be to to demonstrate continued improvement in his game: defensive rotations, mid range shooting, getting a better handle on the ball, and improving his overall shot accuracy.  But he’s young and passionate for the game.  His flaws are very coachable.

Next: 5 Guards to Watch for Philadelphia 76ers in Summer League

That’s why he’s the most exciting player drafted for me.  Brett Brown has been desperate for a two way player for the Philadelphia 76ers roster.  With the 24 pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers may have found one of the best this year.  Now he has to pass the eye-test in summer league.