With a new NBA season approaching, it is easy to focus on the immediate future. But let’s review why the Philadelphia 76ers traded up for Latvian center Anzejs Pasecniks
The Philadelphia 76ers have used the NBA draft to address the center position with a first round pick in the first three drafts of head coach Brett Brown’s tenure with the team. Starting with Nerlens Noel, then Joel Embiid, then Jahlil Okafor, the Philadelphia 76ers used the draft at the position most teams address as an afterthought.
Ah, but they were the players of most value when the Philadelphia 76ers were on the clock.
That 2017 NBA Draft revisited
So the 2017 NBA Draft was the apex of the long years of austerity. Already boasting top-draft pick rookie Ben Simmons debut this year, the team jumped to the top-draft spot to nab a consensus true fit for the Philadelphia 76ers complicated roster: versatile guard Markelle Fultz.
As the fans cheered and hoisted signs thanking former executives, the Philadelphia 76ers quietly slipped back to the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft to address a huge need for the team.
The team traded UP to draft to address a vital an critical position for the immediate future… another center.
Center of focus
That glorious, incredible NBA draft has gone from bitterly cruel to uncannily kind to the Philadelphia 76ers in recent years. You can thank former team president Sam Hinkie for getting the picks, or current team president Bryan Colangelo for making the picks. But in either case, the NBA draft is bolstering the Philadelphia 76ers into playoff contention.
But as we prepare for a new season, and perhaps a debut of the first of many post-season foraging for a championship, we have pause to circle back and answer that subtle question.
Why? Wrong question… For what purpose?
What were the Philadelphia 76ers doing trading-up in a deep draft to choose a draft-and-stash center in round one? Ah… but that is why I am here. I have plenty of time to dig, scratch, and share.
While the most obvious conclusion is to try to draw a cause-and-effect selection, that doesn’t hold water. Mainly because trading up suggests a need, and into the first round suggests a glaring and immediate fill. Neither is the case here. In fact, many believe the Philadelphia 76ers are set at center for the foreseeable future. So what is the reason for this move? Well, I have five good reasons for you. Let’s discuss each:
Reason I: He was too good to pass up
Let’s face it. The number of 7-foot-2 basketball players available in a draft is growing, but is still a small number. The number of 7-foot-2 basketball players who can do what Joel Embiid does is one: Joel Embiid.
But let’s not focus on what Joel Embiid does as a player personally. Let’s focus on the dimensions, and the potential, of 7-foot-2 at the basket. At 7-foot-2, the rest of the NBA looks smaller. That’s the reality. For taller players, they cannot carry the weight in the longer form to truly play physical at the center position. For shorter players, they can add more muscle, but at the height disadvantage. So Anzejs Pasecniks is 7-foot-2. So what?
He can work the basketball court
Ah, but he can play.
And it’s that combination of size and skill that made him rare enough in the NBA Draft to persuade the Philadelphia 76ers to move up to get him. He has the size and instincts to play defense. He has the courage and moves to play offense.
Win win.
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.
Sir Charles In Charge
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.
Reason III: He is a close second to the game of Joel Embiid
This is a tad similar to reason one, but slightly different. Reason one cites size and game rhythm. This reason focuses more on defense and offense scheme.
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The Philadelphia 76ers feel that there is more to Latvia than Kristaps Porzingis. And since the New York Knicks want to keep Porzingis, it falls to logic that the 76ers would select a player from a similar background.
Promising on both ends
Per a scouting report from Sports Illustrated’s Tanner Walters, Pasecniks is solid on offense and defense. In fact, he has the potential for meaningful contributions on both side of the court. Just take a look at what the article said about him:
"“…outstanding mobility and solid offensive skills in his workouts for teams…has the foot speed to defend adequately and can get off the ground to block shots…”"
Big men do not often offer potential on both offense and defense. Pasecniks does. And while you may be in the mood to focus on the 2017-20187 season, this young man brightens the team’s outlook down the road. He does that because he is in a perfect situation for a draft-and-stash.
But that opens other possibilities.
Reason IV: Draft and stash and … trade
I don’t like myself for saying this, but I would be remiss if I did not touch on the possibility of a draft, stash, and trade. Right now the NBA is becoming ever more fickle over the players on the roster. When the Boston Celtics trade Isaiah Thomas, you can bet the days of team loyalty to a single play come into question.
The new NBA valuation
While placing a young man into an NBA roster, there are plenty of things to consider. How does that player fit? What value does he bring to the team?
But in the days of former executive Sam Hinkie, another question arose. What will other teams trade for this player? While that depends on the team, the future, and the availability of NBA centers in the 2018 Draft, you can bet that president Bryan Colangelo knows the player.
Convertible value
Colangelo, for all that he brings to the Philadelphia 76ers, has a fine eye for NBA talent overseas. He knows who is worth signing to contracts, and who is not. The fact that he moved up for Pasecniks suggests that he sees plenty of value there. And that could be more than just a player for this team.
The NBA is a fluid environment now. Players once thought untradeable are traded. Players thought to be key to a winning team’s success now test free agency. In this environment, it’s not uncommon for drafted players to be considered for trades as well.
Reason V: Insurance policy
While some think insurance policy only deals with the health of the player, this covers all aspects: health, trades, renewing contracts, etc. The reality is that the team is built with layers. While there is the belief that Ben Simmons will run the offense, the Philadelphia 76ers can run the offense through Simmons, T.J. McConnell, Jerryd Bayless, Markelle Fultz, Nik Stauskas, and possibly even Dario Saric.
That’s insurance.
Versatility means outflanking your opponent
That same flexibility gives the Philadelphia 76ers room to absorb injuries, stagger playing minutes, and rotate in bench players to any number of roles. In short, few players on the team are limited to a single position.
Anzejs Pasecniks continues that tradition. While the 7-foot-2 is a clear center role, he could also play power forward as well. Depending on who is on the court, that could be a huge advantage for these 76ers.
Next: Where does Nik Stauskas fit into the Sixers’ rotation?
Ultimately, the 2017-2018 season is the start of playing a cohesive roster, and rotating versatile lineups which possess the ability to score and defend. Pasecniks won’t factor in this year, but he waits in the wings for his turn. Getting to the playoffs is a huge plus this season. But once there, the team will need to improve to advance. To do that, reinforcements must come. And that is likely why the Philadelphia 76ers traded up in the draft.