Philadelphia 76ers: Reacting to their 2017 NBA Draft picks

The 2017 NBA Draft is over, it’s time to analyze the picks the Philadelphia 76ers made.

The 2017 NBA Draft quickly came and went by just as fast — only 365 days to wait for the next! Now it’s time to grade the five players that were selected by the Philadelphia 76ers. Lets get into it.

1. Markelle Fultz

Markelle Fultz was the obvious pick for the Philadelphia 76ers. The Process may be over in some people’s eyes, but in my opinion, The Process isn’t over until Adam Silver is handing the 76ers the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

The combination of Fultz, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric and Ben Simmons (nicknamed ‘The FEDS’) is enough to make any 76ers fans salivate. The 76ers have caught the attention of everyone in the NBA, using the assets stored by the greta Sam Hinkie to get the player Colangelo wanted was a statement move. It signalled intent from the front office. The core is now in place, it’s down to Coach Brett Brown and the rest of the coaching staff to help these talented youngsters to achieve their potentials.

25. Anzejs Pasecniks

After trading up with the Orlando Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Latvian center, Anzejs Pasecniks. Could drafting a center in the first round signal an end to Jahlil Okafor‘s unsettling stay at Philadelphia?

Since the Nerlens Noel trade and Ersan Ilyasova‘s trades at the NBA trade deadline, the 76ers were left a little thin at the big man position. Selecting a seven footer who can protect the paint AND shoot threes is a no-brainer. The 76ers gave up a 2020 first round pick (protected 1-20) as well as two 2020 second round picks. The first rounder that was traded was the pick the Sixers acquired in the Jerami Grant trade.

‘Pasecniks is never coming over’.

36. Jonah Bolden

Coming into the draft I was extremely high on Jonah Bolden, I feel he has the chance to become one of the best big men in this draft. Bolden is a do-it-all big man; he can run the floor very well, he has a nice shooting touch, he is uber athletic and he has an absurd wingspan. I REALLY like this pick.

Related Story: Jonah Bolden's scouting report

Additionally, Bolden is Australian, he has connections with Ben Simmons. With Pasecniks likely staying overseas for the next couple of years, Bolden will be able to get some meaningful playing time from day one if he joins up with the team. I think he’s going to be one of the steals of the draft. Well done Coach Brown and Bryan Colangelo, great pick.

50. Mathias Lessort

This pick is a draft-and-stash, it’s no surprise since the Philadelphia 76ers needs to clear roster spaces. I really thought that Mathias Lessort would go in the first round, the fact that the 76ers got him with the 50th pick is incredible.

When Lessort eventually comes over, expect him to do all the dirty work, he’s not afraid to bang down low, fight for every board and send back any shots that may come his way. Now, I don’t expect Lessort to come over for a few years, he needs to work on refining his skill set, however, he has the basics to succeed. This is a very good pick in my opinion.

Conclusion

Overall, I feel like the Philadelphia 76ers had one of the best drafts in the league. Bryan Colangelo and Brett Brown addressed the needs of the team. Fultz fills in the missing guard role, Pasecniks provides depth at the center position, this will be even more crucial if Jahlil Okafor gets traded, and Bolden will also provide depth and a multitude of skills that are rare in a power forward. This was a great draft for the 76ers.

Next: Sixers contacting the Knicks is the right move

Preparations for the 2018 NBA Draft will start tomorrow. The process starts all over again, I’m sure the next year will fly by and next year’s draft will be upon us in no time.

Reacting to the Sixers’ draft picks

By Owen Nelson | Jun 23, 2017