Could Motiejunas be the 76ers choice at No. 16?
The 76ers hosted another pre-draft workout this morning at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. And this one, unlike all the other previous ones, was a solo workout. The prospect was 7-foot power forward Donatas Motiejunas from Lithuania.
Could Motiejunas be the 76ers choice at No. 16?
The 76ers hosted another pre-draft workout this morning at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. And this one, unlike all the other previous ones, was a solo workout. The prospect was 7-foot power forward Donatas Motiejunas from Lithuania. It sounds like Motiejunas was only willing to workout solo. He flew to the states from the Adidas camp in Treviso, Italy and is working out for four NBA teams: he worked out already with the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, worked out today for the Sixers, and will work out for the New York Knicks.
We've written on here previously about Motiejunas, including him on the list of eight prospects that the Sixers likely have targeted as their potential draft picks. If you didn't read that post, you can find it here: Deep Sixer. Before Motiejunas worked out today, it was difficult to assess exactly where the Sixers might have him on their draft board. It's still difficult, but we got the sense that he's probably higher on the team's list than we might have thought last week. If he is indeed a big man they'd like to snag, that gives them two potential big men: Nikola Vucevic and Motiejunas. What are the chances at least one is on the board when the Sixers draft at No. 16? Pretty likely. Right now, Motiejunas is expected to go somewhere in the 14-22 range, nearly identical to Vucevic's projection.
Here's the update on this guy: he's a legitimate 7-feet. Sixers director of player personnel Courtney Witte said that since December (when Witte saw him play in Europe), Motiejunas has put on about 8 or 9 kilos (roughly 20 pounds), putting him at about 240 pounds right now. Although we didn't watch the workout, we did see Motiejunas afterward and he looked much more filled out than I'd expected. He's not long and lanky and in need of bulk -- he had a legitimate NBA body. The Sixers met with Motiejunas last week while they were in Treviso and attended a workout of his over there, as well. So they're putting some hours and manpower into the 20 year old.
The pros to Motiejunas' game: by all accounts he's talkative and intense while he's on the court. He's good with both hands, he's a very good passer. He's got a nice jumper. He's a lefty. He has NBA athleticism and an NBA body and what Witte called "NBA creativity". The cons: his rebounding in Italy's Serie A was suspect (4.4 per game over 25.7 minutes), his footwork and jumper are inconsistent, especially from NBA range, and he's a power forward not a traditional center. Witte said the Sixers addressed the lack of rebounding and that Motiejunas' answers made sense. Witte also said that the system in which he was playing in Italy did not "lend itself" to rebounding and that Motiejunas' role as a creator in that system has probably had a negative impact on his draft projection.
Motiejunas did not talk after the workout. Witte relayed that Montiejunas wanted to "let his game do the talking," which of course is of little help because no one actually watched the workout.
"This was a workout where he just felt he wanted to let his game do the talking," Witte said. "His English is good. He’s really an intense focus guy. It was nothing against anything here, he just let me do the talking and he wanted to concentrate on the game."
Witte said the Sixers felt "privileged" to be one of four NBA teams that Motiejunas would work out for, even if it was under the circumstances of one-on-none.
"He sees himself in a few years as maybe being able to play as a five," Witte said. "Right now, he’s obviously a four. He has a stretch-four mentality. He can go to the low post ... We see him as a power forward. He sees himself as a power forward that eventually will be able to play more as a center."
The Sixers will host what is expected to be their final pre-draft workout tomorrow (Tuesday) at PCOM. If you want to check out the video of Witte talking about Motiejunas, that should be embedded below. To follow on Twitter, click here: Deep Sixer.
--Kate
Each week, Kate will check in from the road and answer fan questions about the Sixers. Click here to ask Kate a question or e-mail her at kfagan@phillynews.com.
4.4 rebounds a game? In Italy? Killing me.— smfree31- with the apparent lack of talent this draft im selecting one of the 7' euro players if they are their at 16. not that i know much about them but since there seems to be little in the terms of quality this draft im taking one of them and hoping for the best. Unless we move Iggy and pick up a high 1 and select Katner. then 16 mite be approached differently.— FMBNG
- Nice update Kate.— Da Fredster
- Height in and of itself isn't everything, we had a first round seven-plus footer, how did that work out! They need muscle and be willing to bang, then you might have something, just sayin'...— DJ
- Who we working out tomorrow?— therealmob21
- This guy has talent. Not everyone at 16 does. Let's not take someone just because they might be a better rebounder.— madecaro
- Motiejunas would improve on the Sixers strengths as someone who can pass, run and be versatile on the offensive end. He does not do much to address shot blocking and rebounding concerns. However, there is something to be said for the philosophy of improving your strengths rather than your weaknesses. I'd take either him or the other 7 footer, Vucecic.— incog69
- I sure hope not, pluck...— BlackFeet01
- A seven foot power forward sounds heavenly. Hope it's not just the sixers trying to find a Dirk clone [that time has passed. we took Larry Hughes]. I am a little wary if he doesn't have a 'presence' around the rim. Might turn out to be another Hawes...— fillyfan
- sounds like he's a Spencer Hawes clone...no thanks— qoolskip
- youtube him he does have very good skills. Rubio was drafted in the lottery by the Wolves and his average scoring and assists were borderline pathetic. That league doesn't always mean they'll be that poor here. At 16 I'd rather they select a skillful big than a tweener.— phillyinNJ
- Witte really needs to get the dental work done before doing interviews.— bearsfriend
- I looked at this guy you tube. Got to tell you.. at the #16 pick. To me he is the best out there. Under Doug he will get him better. He is not Hawes clone. He look like he got a little bite in him. He moves much better than Hawes. And he don't play as soft as Hawes.— Dwayne77
- What's with the Spencer Hawes hate? As a back-up center he's not bad. He's not a good defender but he's a decent scorer and rebounder.— MrBigDizzle
- I hope they trade up for Enes Kanter.— Spider Rico
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
