Why did Philadelphia 76ers trade up for Anzejs Pasecniks?

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 23: The Philadelphia 76ers host a post draft press conference announcing new players Anzejs Pasecniks, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) /

Reason II: The timing of his arrival syncs in with Philadelphia timetable

The Philadelphia 76ers are set, relatively speaking, for this season. Bringing in a player now requires saying farewell to a player down the road. The team traded up twice in the first round: first to get the 2017 NBA draft top pick, Markelle Fultz. But the second time was to draft Anzejs Pasecniks.

Both are crucial to the team’s future.

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When the team drafted Joel Embiid, they did so knowing he was injured and would need time to heal up to NBA playing health. Now that the team sees him on the court, matching players to complement his style is easier to do, but harder to match. Nerlens Noel is a rim protector. Jahlil Okafor is a back-to-the-basket offensive center.

Timing works

Both are worth playing time in their own right. But neither fit the role of Joel Embiid. Still, the team had to find time to play both. And now that Nerlens Noel has been traded, the team has found some backup work for Richaun Holmes.

When the team enters the 2018 off-season, we’ll know what we have with this team. And as such, we’ll have a firmer grasp of areas that work, and which need additional reinforcement. Pasecniks becomes available to the team then. And as such, he will fill the void of some players. Perhaps the team lets Nik Stauskas test free agency, and promotes Furkan Korkmaz. Perhaps the team trades a center.

In any case, the 76ers will have a new young player to develop. Anzejs Pasecniks is worth the effort.