Sixers trade for Latvian center Anzejs Pasecniks after he was drafted by Magic

NEW YORK - Anzejs Pasecniks was oblivious.

Seated at the podium, the 7-foot-2 Latvian post player thought the Orlando Magic had just acquired his rights with the 25th overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft. He was even given a Magic hat and shook hands with league commissioner Adam Silver.

Little did Pasecniks realize that the Magic traded the pick to the 76ers in exchange for a protected 2020 first-round pick. The pick is protected in slots one through 20. If he doesn't convey, it will turn into two second-rounders.

So Pasecniks was asked if he had any conversations or predraft work outs with the Sixers?

"No," he said, "Actually that's likely surprised me."

Well, he might have some time to get adjusted to the surprising news. It doesn't appear that he's in the Sixers short-term plans.

"I have a contract with Gran Canaria [in Spain] for two more years," Pasecniks said. "So at the moment that's all I know, and I'm thinking just about that."

The Sixers already have four centers on their roster in Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, Richaun Holmes and Shawn Long.

Pasecniks, 21, averaged 7.8 points and 3.1 rebounds this past season for Canaria.

It's not surprising that the Sixers made a trade to get a late first-rounder. Team president Bryan Colangelo hinted on Monday that they would try to add another first-round pick. Then sources said on Thursday that the Sixers were working the phones trying to find a trading partner.

With a close to full roster, the Sixers were also looking to draft a player they could stash overseas.