Sixers Add First-Round Pick, More Talent in Second Round
The Sixers couldn't land Kristaps Porzingis, but did add one of his countryman on draft night.
Philadelphia made a deal with Orlando to select 21-year-old Latvian center Anzeis Pasecniks with the 25th pick in the NBA Draft.
"Philly is great," said Pasecniks. "The moment the draft came out it was an amazing feeling. I still have a smile on my face."
The hope would be that the Latvian prospect can develop like his countryman, Porzings and become a legit NBA shooter.
"He's a talented, 7'1 7'2 prospect, very athletic, very mobile, developing offensive game," Sixers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo said. "Just a good young talent that we've identified as a future center prospect in the game, very excited about that."
At 7-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Pasecniks is very athletic and averaged 7.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 15.5 minutes in 46 games with Gran Canaria of the Spanish ACB League last season. .
Pasecniks is expected to play overseas for another season, so don't expect to see him with the Sixers this year.
Here's Anzejs Pasecniks. Moves insanely well for a 7'3" big. Has length and range.
Did I mention he's a unicorn?
— Dylan #ThanksHinkie (@BleedGreenHive) June 23, 2017
In the second round, the Sixers may have found a steal, landing former UCLA forward Jonah Bolden with the 36th pick.
"Had a chance to see him also play this year and was impressed with his ability to impact the game both rebounding, defensively and even scoring," Colangelo said. "His ability to step outside and shoot the three, very mobile, athletic, power forward type."
The 6-foot-10 forward spent last season with FMP Beograde, after two years at UCLA, averaging 13 points and seven rebounds.
Finally, the team added 21-year-old Frenchman Mathias Lessort with the 50th overall pick.
"I was really happy," Lessort, who shares the same agent as Sixers 2016 draft pick Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot. "It’s a big time, a big moment in my life so I was just happy to be here with my family."
Lessort, a 6-foot-9 center, spent last season with Chalon-Sur-Saone, averaging 10 points and seven rebounds per game.
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