With four second round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers should choose a center and stash him in the D-League
Before the 2016 -2017 season, the Philadelphia 76ers were known around the league to have an excess of young skilled centers. Brian Colangelo was able to unload center Nerlens Noel and finally end the logjam. Despite their history of having too many centers, the Philadelphia 76ers should still look to draft a center in the upcoming draft. You see, amidst the injuries, the team scrambled at times to find a player to fill the role.
With Joel Embiid’s health always in question and Jahlil Okafor’s inability to fit into not only the Sixers offense, but the modern game, adding another center would provide a level of insurance.
As experience shows, it is impractical to get four centers playing time in a single game.
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Fortunately, the new collective bargaining agreement has added two spots to the roster. These two spots can be used to maintain the rights of a player while he plays exclusively in the NBA Development League receiving a modest salary of $75,000 a year. Additionally, these two spots allow teams to draft a players and stash them domestically while they develop.
Second Round Centers
The Philadelphia 76ers have the 36th, 39th, 46th, and 50th pick in the 2017 draft. Below is a list of the six centers that the Sixers should consider drafting with one of those picks.
| Name | Team | Age | Height | WingSpan | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anzejs Pasecniks | Gran Canaria | 21.3 | 7’2 | 7’6 | 229 |
| Jonathan Jeanne | Nancy | 19.8 | 7’2 | 7’7 | 195 |
| Thomas Bryant | Indiana | 19.7 | 6’10 | 7’5 | 241 |
| Omer Yurtseven | N.C. State | 18.8 | 7’0 | 7’1 | 228 |
| Alpha Kaba | Mega Vizura | 21.2 | 6’10 | 7’5 | 226 |
| Tony Bradley | UNC | 19.3 | 6’10 | 7’4 | 248 |
Pasecniks and Jeanne have tremendous height and equally impressive wingspans. You simply need to watch Utah Jazz’s center Rudy Gobert to see what we are talking about. Gobert has exemplified the importance of wingspan over this past season.
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In fact, Gobert did not enter the NBA has a premier rim defender. But blessed with his 8-foot-0 wingspan and along with a few years of development allowed him to become the NBA leader in blocks and defensive win shares.
Wing Span and More
Yurtseven’s wingspan disappoints at only one inch more than his height resulting in a similar standing reach to Bryant, Kaba and Bradley. Jeanne’s weight leaves much to be desired as he will struggle to defend physical centers. Only being 19 years of age gives Jeanne time to develop like Pasecniks who was able improve his frame while playing overseas. All six of these centers have the ability to play above the rim but Bradley and Yurtseven’s agility and quickness could cause trouble if they are forced to defend on the perimeter. Regardless, all six of these prospects have the size to become NBA quality rim protectors.
| Name | Min | FGA/36 | FG% | 3PA/36 | 3P% | FTA/36 | FT% | TS% | OWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anzejs Pasecniks | 15.7 | 10.25 | 65% | 0.92 | 47% | 4.43 | 53% | 66% | 2.27 |
| Jonathan Jeanne | 9.4 | 9.38 | 39% | 1.23 | 14% | 4.52 | 46% | 42% | -0.40 |
| Thomas Bryant | 28.1 | 10.74 | 52% | 2.26 | 38% | 5.57 | 73% | 60% | 2.49 |
| Omer Yurtseven | 18.9 | 10.04 | 46% | 0.27 | 33% | 2.76 | 72% | 49% | 0.35 |
| Alpha Kaba | 25 | 11.91 | 48% | 2.65 | 28% | 5.17 | 64% | 55% | 0.77 |
| Tony Bradley | 14.6 | 11.6 | 57% | 0 | 0% | 6.80 | 62% | 59% | 2.10 |
International Centers
When looking at these numbers, it is important to remember there is a difference in competition. Pasecniks plays in Latvia, Jeanne plays in France, and Kaba plays in Serbia. The French league is the most talented which can account for Jeanne’s low numbers.
Air Alamo
What does not change across leagues is the free throw line which Jeanne and Pasecniks struggle from. Five of the centers have shown that they are able to hit an open three. Bradley’s shot is not an asset and will be a long term project before it becomes a part of his skillset. As a reserve center, being able to stretch the floor will be a crucial part of their game.
The youngsters Jeanne and Yurtseven need to improve their shooting consistency before they can become a true threat from deep but they will have plenty of time to do so either in the G-League or overseas. Bryant and Kaba who are considered undersized have not been afraid to shoot and have real potential as stretch fives.
NBA D-League Becomes G-League
| Name | Min | Steals/36 | Steal% | Blocks/36 | Block% | Stl/TO | DWS | REB/36 | REB% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anzejs Pasecniks | 15.7 | 0.53 | 0.8% | 1.65 | 4.8% | 0.34 | 0.7 | 6.99 | 12.9% |
| Jonathan Jeanne | 9.4 | 1.23 | 1.9% | 2.11 | 5.8% | 0.39 | 0.37 | 11.15 | 18.4% |
| Thomas Bryant | 28.1 | 0.97 | 1.6% | 1.96 | 5.7% | 0.33 | 1.41 | 8.52 | 13.7% |
| Omer Yurtseven | 18.9 | 0.34 | 0.5% | 1.39 | 3.8% | 0.14 | 0.2 | 8.31 | 12.8% |
| Alpha Kaba | 25 | 2.28 | 3.2% | 1.69 | 3.5% | 0.67 | 1.9 | 11.91 | 19.7% |
| Tony Bradley | 14.6 | 0.7 | 1.0% | 1.4 | 4.4% | 0.4 | 1 | 12.7 | 18.9% |
Analyzing Data
Concerns about Bradley and Yurtseven’s athleticism seem validated when looking at their defensive numbers.
With the lowest rebounds, steals, and blocks per 36 of the group, Yurtsevens ability to defend at the NBA level is a serious concern. On one hand, Bryant and Kaba’s lack of size could be an issue in the NBA. On the other hand, Bryant’s block numbers are very encouraging. In fact, Kaba’s steals and rebounds show that he can win the one on one battle with the opposing center.
Defense Improvements
Still, Kaba’s defensive awareness and rotations need improvement. Once he figures out his defensive game and learns to optimize his physical tools, he will likely compare to Richaun Holmes.
Similar to Bryant, Pasecniks can defend the rim but does not provide much else on the defensive end. Fortunately, a reserve center does not need to do much beyond that.
Finally, Jeanne’s ability to defend the rim and grab rebounds makes it easy to see why he has drawn NBA interest. As he is averaging 2.1 blocks and 11.1 rebounds per 36, his numbers fall into a range which any NBA team would be satisfied with.
Center Roles
NBA teams need their back up centers to do two things. The center must be the defensive anchor for the second unit. Furthermore, that center mustnd spread the floor offensively to open the paint for their teammates.
Air Alamo
On one hand, both Bryant and Kaba have shown that they can spread the floor offensively. Meanwhile, the remaining centers must work on that aspect of their game. Some have shown some improvement, but it is still very much a work in progress. But Bradley is nimble in the post and can become a scoring option for the second unit.
On the other hand, Jeanne, Bryant, and Kaba have NBA quality athleticism on the defensive side of the court. Add to that the fact that Pasecniks size along with his mature frame is the ideal body type for an NBA center.
Some Pluses, Some Minuses
These four centers have the tools to anchor any NBA level defense.
Conversely, Bradley and Yurtseven’s lack of mobility and explosiveness are not at or above NBA levels. In their average size and wingspan, serious questions surface along the lines of NBA readiness. In short, do they belong in the NBA?
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My primary concern with Bradley is that his scouting report mirrors Okafor’s. We already know the painful reality that Okafor does not fit in Brett Browns fast paced offense. Several of these prospects will be available for the Sixers in the second round. Whoever they choose will have time to develop but could eventually be a key reserve on a Sixers playoff team.