Philadelphia 76ers: 5 options for pick No. 42 in 2019 NBA Draft
By Alec Liebsch
2. Neemias Queta
Neemias Queta is an option if the Sixers want to bolster their frontcourt depth through the draft. He’s a sturdy shot-blocker who can eat minutes in traditional lineups.
Queta is actually a good system fit for non-Embiid lineups, since he operates best when dropping to the rim on pick-and-rolls, where he can protect the rim. He has the athleticism, dimensions (6’11”, 7’5″ wingspan) and effort level necessary to be a bruiser protecting the paint.
He’s not much of a threat as a shooter, but his hustle allows for a lot of rim-running opportunities. Queta is a good screener who makes the most of every possession, which helps tremendously in the flow of an offense.
Queta’s bread and butter at the next level will be in the pick-and-roll. He’s adept finishing with both hands, is far from lazy off the ball, and can make good reads of the floor on the short roll. He’ll have a place as a minutes-eater against traditional bigs, which are still a staple of NBA rotations throughout the 82-game grind.
His lack of perimeter skills will cap how long he can stay on an NBA court, but at pick No. 42, having a floor at all may be the best an NBA team can get. Should Philly select him, it will be for his rim protection behind (and sometimes in place of) Embiid.