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Can Norvel Pelle crack the Sixers’ final roster?

By Christopher Kline

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Norvel Pelle #31 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 15, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Norvel Pelle #31 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 15, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers recently agreed to terms with the Summer League standout.

After spending last season in Italy, Norvel Pelle will have a chance to stick with the Philadelphia 76ers next season. The 25-year-old averaged 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in five Summer League games, earning a contract with the team.

Pelle brings several clear-cut NBA skills. He’s an extremely bouncy athlete, rejecting shots around the rim and finishing off lobs with ease. In the Sixers’ up-tempo offense, his ability to fill the lane and play above the rim would fit nicely.

As things currently stand, the Sixers have 17 players under contract, including their two-way contract slots. That means an additional roster move is necessarily to open up room for Pelle, if that’s the plan.

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If the Sixers do end up clearing out another roster spot, the most likely course of action would be buying out Jerryd Bayless. The veteran comboguard fell out of the rotation last season, but has another $8.6 million on the books next season.

The likelihood of Bayless finding playing time next season is slim. Letting him walk in search of a more substantial role would make sense for both sides.

With that said, Pelle might not be worth the 15th roster spot. This is most likely an attempt to transition Pelle to the Sixers’ G-League program, setting him up with the Delaware Blue Coats. There would be highlights aplenty.

Joel Embiid, Mike Muscala, Amir Johnson and Jonah Bolden will all play minutes at the five next season. Some more than others. There’s reason to believe the Sixers would use that 15th roster spot, should Bayless depart, on perimeter depth.

Pelle performed well in a complimentary role this summer, but it wasn’t enough to warrant a significant investment heading into the season. The Sixers would be wiser to seek depth elsewhere, as Pelle wouldn’t provide any tangible value on the 15-man roster.

With that said, he’s an explosive athlete with NBA qualities. Giving him some run in the G-League system could open up more opportunities, both for Pelle and the Sixers. If he performs well, giving him a two-way contract later in the season could be on the table.

That would require parting ways with Demetrius Jackson, something the team should be willing to consider.

Next. If Fultz starts, who moves to the bench?. dark

The meat of the Sixers’ rotation is set heading into next season. The odds aren’t in Pelle’s favor at this point. There’s a good chance that we see him down the road in Delaware next season, though.