NBA's 1st Iranian-born draftee Arsalan Kazemi hoping to stick with 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers' third annual absence from free agency and subsequent roster flexibility could have a historical byproduct.

With only 13 players on the roster and only nine of those on guaranteed deals, the Sixers have the flexibility to take a few fliers at the end of their bench. They've spent the last several seasons doing just that, rotating D-Leaguers and second-round picks through their last few roster spots.

Arsalan Kazemi is hoping to land a spot on that carousel in the upcoming season.

"(General manager Sam Hinkie) knows what I can do and what I can bring to the table," Kazemi said this week. "I'm just trying to do that to perfection. I'm hoping that ... it leads to being a part of this team."

In 2013, the 76ers made Kazemi the first-ever Iranian-born draft pick in the NBA, having acquired the No. 54 pick from the Washington Wizards earlier in the draft. Hamed Haddadi is the league's first Iranian-born player, but Kazemi is the first Iran product to be selected in the draft, having been plucked from Oregon by way of Rice.

In two seasons since, Kazemi has played in summer league with Philly but been stashed overseas, first in Iran and then in China. The 25-year-old is once again suiting up for the Sixers, this time in Las Vegas, and he's scored 11 points with 27 rebounds through three games.

Not blessed with great size for a power forward - 6-foot-7, but has a 7-foot wingspan - or elite athleticism, he plays a headier, more ground-bound, hustle-oriented game that coaches tend to love. His offensive game may not scream NBA player, but rebounding and steal rate are some of the more predictive stats for NBA success, and he was strong in both areas in college.

Kazemi averaged 15 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 steals in 27 games in the Chinese Basketball Association last season, shooting 66.1 percent from the floor.