Delaware 87ers Prospects Worth 10-Day NBA Tryout

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Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Anthony Barber (5) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Solid Prospects

Beginning January 5, 2017, NBA Teams can begin signing players to ten-day contracts. Whether or not the Philadelphia 76ers are in position to do so, these Delaware 87ers will likely see time in the NBA soon:

Guard Cat Barber

15.6 PPG/47.9% FG/ 51.7% 3PT/ 3.8 RPG/ 4.0 APG

Delaware 87ers Cat Barber was thought by many to have earned a spot on the roster prior to his being cut by the team to make the fifteen man roster limit. But Barber was not sent away very far, as he was instantly signed on to the Delaware 87ers.

He is always a scoring threat, something which the Philadelphia 76ers could use as they begin to bring on Ben Simmons. While 6-foot-1 and just 175 pounds is not the physical simulation of Simmons, Barber has a quick burst, a nice change of direction, and uncanny handles on the ball.

Barber’s presence on the court forces defenders to come to him. He can score in bursts, and thereby take the pressure off his teammates in crunch time. He can drive to the basket, and in the instance where he relieves T.J.McConnell, is a great change of pace.

Guard Dionte Christmas

17.6 PPG/47.2% FG/ 46.2% 3PT/ 3.3 RPG/ 3.2 APG

Dionte Christmas was the player signed just as the preseason was winding down. Assigned to the Delaware 87ers, the 6-foot-5 190 pound shooting guard is playing very well and scoring second best on the team, just behind Shawn Long.

While he is a shooting guard, he could pick up minutes there to allow Nik Stauskas to slide to the one position. But more than freeing up Stauskas, he can deliver some badly needed offense to the team right now. Without Joel Embiid, the team struggles to find an offensive go-to guy.

Christmas would be happy to step up in that situation. You see, he had a one-year run in the NBA in the 2013-2014 season with the Phoenix Suns. Since that time, he has been working hard to open that door for opportunity once more. With the 76ers so badly beaten up in the backcourt, this could be Christmas’ chance to show up large and in charge to the NBA.

Next: Sixers Should Look Into Brandon Knight Trade

Philadelphia is in a tough spot. Tougher yet if the team commits to a veteran’s salary in a long term deals that hinders retaining their own players. But the need is here and now.

Perhaps it’s time to tap the Delaware 87ers. They have some talent, and it’s always nice to promote from within.