The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Must Use 10-Day Contract Options

By Bret Stuter

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers must navigate the maze of injuries and minutes restriction to maintain a healthy rested lineup. Their only true option? 10-Day Contracts

The Philadelphia 76ers have become very skilled in the fine arts of panning overlooked sources for gold. It’s no surprise, as the team had plenty of practice in recent years. To start the 2016-2017 season, the team had three undrafted players on the roster: Robert Covington, Hollis Thompson, and T.J. McConnell.  While now down to two, the fact remains that the NBA Draft is not the only way to find NBA talent.

Tis the season of the NBA Ten Day Contracts. Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers need to employ that timely tool of the NBA.

The Maze

Right now the Philadelphia 76ers need help at point guard. Lots of help. The team is down two veteran free agents (Sergio Rodriguez and Jerryd Bayless) and the rookie Ben Simmons has not gotten healthy yet.  That puts the burden of minutes on just T.J. McConnell.  If he falls to injury, the 76ers will find it difficult to adapt. As of today, the team has coached Nik Stauskas up enough to roll into the one when McConnell needs a rest.

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But when Sergio Rodriguez heals, it won’t be long before Ben Simmons shows up. The team will go from down to one player all the way to three players in a matter of days. Meanwhile, the team has been playing short at other positions. Small forward is down to Robert Covington for now, helped out by rotating in Dario Saric.

The Trail

The Philadelphia 76ers have one of the most versatile lineups in the NBA. But for the next few months, the team will need help at different positions at different periods.  That’s the perfect situation for 10-Day Contracts.

In essence, the NBA team signs sign a player to cover a 10-day period for the team. At the end of that 10-day period, the team has three options: sign the player to a full NBA contract, sign the player to a second 10-day contract, or allow the contract to expire. If the player has fulfilled two 10-day contracts, the team must then choose to sign the player to a full NBA contract, or allow the contract to expire.

The Philadelphia 76ers waived Hollis Thompson, bringing the roster down to 14 and providing a roster “slot” to park a 10-day contracted player.  To meet the needs of the next schedule for the next months, the 76ers need to reinforce the current roster. On the other hand, the team needs the flexibility to shift that reinforcement to other positions.

Next: Christian Wood Warming Charlotte Hornet’s Bench

That is the beauty of 10-day contracts. It’s the only way to go now.