The Sixer Sense
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The Philadelphia 76ers Got a Steal in Timothe Luwawu

By Christopher Kline

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is interviewed after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is interviewed after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sixers’ Perfect Wing

Luwawu is in essence exactly what the Sixers need at this point. He’s a legitimate talent who has skills that should lead to immediate success at the NBA level, but also has tools that can develop over time as they continue their slightly expedited rebuild over the next few seasons.

His improving shooting touch adds a spacing element that could be servicable in some capacity next season, while his expansive aptness on the defensive end makes him someone who could cover a number of positions, whether in a tall lineup centered around a pair of bigs or a small ball rotations geared towards freely operating through Ben Simmons. He gives Brown a lot of flexibility on that side of the ball and helps reassure the aspect of the game that Philadelphia has stressed most in recent years.

Luwawu will, in all likelihood, take a while to reach his outright full potential, but that’s absolutely fine. This was a weak draft class with a myriad of picks that either won’t produce right away or will never reach a level far beyond average. Most teams will have to wait to reap any sizable benefits from this draft, and the Sixers should have no problem waiting as Ben Simmons produces immediate value. Colangelo’s patience could very well be tested, but his defensive toughness and exhilarating play style could give more than enough reason for him to allow Luwawu to stick around through his inevitable ups and downs, especially with their minimal depth on the perimeter as opposed to the front court.

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Luwawu is going to be a fan favorite, and it will surely be interesting to watch the gradual evolution of his game during his time with Philadelphia. He’ll make a lot of entertaining plays on the fast-break, and his defensive execution should do nothing short of please Brown from a coaching perspective. He might not make a huge impact early on, but he’ll find his methods of producing as the remainder of his game develops, and in an ideal world, eventually thrives as his career progresses. There was risk involved with considering Luwawu a top 10 pick, but he went 24th. This was a steal in every sense of the word, and Philadelphia should be zealously awaiting his arrival point as an impact player down the road.