The Sixers just keep getting bigger. Or are they?
After taking Jahlil Okafor at No. 3 in the NBA draft (see story), the Sixers selected center Guillermo "Willy" Hernangomez of Spain with the 35th overall pick, Bowling Green power forward Richaun Holmes at 37th, and center Arturas Gudaitis at 47. However, two of those players may never don a Sixers cap.
Hernangomez was traded to the New York Knicks for two future second-round draft picks and cash, CSN's John Gonzalez confirmed. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News first reported the move and was retweeted by Sixers CEO Scott O'Neil.
Richaun Holmes: Power forward, 6-8/245, Bowling Green
Holmes also might not be staying in Philadelphia, according to Jake Fisher of LibertyBallers.com.
If Holmes does stick around, he could give the Sixers the NBA's coveted stretch four. He averaged 14.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game at Bowling Green last season.
A community college transfer, Holmes thrived once he joined the Falcons. The 6-foot-8, 245-pounder showed the ability to face up and drive to the basket, but he also developed a reliable jump shot. Holmes shot 30 for 83 (36.1 percent) from three-point range over the past two seasons.
While Holmes still has room to grow in that aspect, he is already a stud on defense. He was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year after swatting 2.7 shots per game. The Lockport, Illinois native uses an impressive 7-1½ wingspan and active instincts to cause havoc on the defensive end.
NBA
Arturas Gudaitis: Center, 6-10/255, Lithuania
Assets.
That’s what Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie is after with his second-round cornucopia, and that mold seems to fit with the third selection of the round in Thursday night’s NBA draft.
The Sixers selected Gudaitis, a 6-foot-10, 255-pound Lithuanian, with the 47th overall pick in the draft. The 22-year-old center was the fourth straight player 6-10 or taller selected by the Sixers despite the fact that the team is in need of guards and shooters.
Gudaitis is a project even though he has played professionally in Lithuania since 2011. Since 2013, Gudaitis has played for Žalgiris in the Euro League, the former team of former Soviet legend Arvydas Sabonis.
He was a teammate with former Sixers forward James Anderson for a team that went 36-4 during the regular season in the Lithuanian Basketball League and won the league championship for the fifth year in a row.
Gudaitis started just four of 20 Euro League games for Žalgiris, averaging 6.5 points in 15 minutes per night, but scored 9.4 points with 5.2 rebounds per game in Lithuanian Basketball League action.
Gudaitis is a big man seemingly tethered to the paint. He attempted just three three-pointers last season, but shot 59.8 percent from the field and 76.4 percent from the foul line.
A knee injury limited Gudaitis' exposure internationally when he was younger, and his offensive game is limited. However, Gudaitis’ forte is defense.
Where he fits in with the Sixers is unknown. The team is loaded in the frontcourt, and if Gudaitis is a project, he might not have many chances to crack the roster.
But as far as collecting assets goes, Gudaitis fits the bill.