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Sixers select Mathias Lessort with their last pick in the draft

By George Kondoleon

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty first round selections in the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty first round selections in the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sixers finish off their busy night by taking Mathias Lessort with the 50th pick in the NBA Draft.

Bryan Colangelo had the task of finding ways to work four second-round picks in a way that won’t bind the roster too badly. At first, he opened eyes by trading a future first for the draft rights of Anzejs Pasecniks, who will be a draft and stash. The Sixers then selected another potential draft and stash in Jonah Bolden.

Then, they traded their next two picks, selecting and shipping Juwan Evans to the Los Angeles Clippers, and Sterling Brown to the Milwuakee Bucks. So when the 50th pick in the draft came up to the podium, many wondered if the Sixers would even take another player that’ll have a real chance at the roster.

With the 50th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Sixers selected ANOTHER stash in Mathias Lessort. Lessort is a high-energy, 6’9 forward who has shown a tenacious mentality on the boards. He averaged 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds for the French-league Nanterre.

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The fact of the matter is, Lessort may never sniff the NBA. But if he’s willing to be a stash, he could develop into late bloomer for the Sixers, and be a real asset later on if the team finds itself cash-strapped.

Even with the draft being weak in the draft and stash, Colangelo found three options, while trading two second-rounders for what seems to be cash considerations. It seems Colangelo is keen on keeping roster flexibility an option, and you also wonder if this could open the gate for Furkan Korkmaz to officially announce his commitment to the Sixers this season.

The Lessort pick will likely serve as nothing more than a trade chip in necessary situations, but it shows that the Sixers front office is focused on moving forward in the rebuild by attacking free agency to bolster the roster. Overall, not a bad night for Philadelphia at all.