The Philadelphia 76ers could be looking to the future by their recent signing rookie big man Christ Koumadje to a contract.
There’s no doubt that the Philadelphia 76ers still have moves to make heading into next season. The Sixers have a win now mentality at the present moment and most of their moves indicate that mindset. However, Philly recently made a move that could benefit the team in the future.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Christ Koumadje have agreed to a one-year, partially guaranteed deal, league sources told @TheAthleticNBA. Koumadje played in Summer League for the 76ers after going undrafted.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 19, 2019
To be more specific, Christ Koumadje signed a Exhibit 10, per Noah Levick of NBCSPhilly. The 7-foot-4 big man gets a bonus only if he’s waived by Philly and then joins the Sixers G-League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats, according Rich Hofmann of The Athletic. It also gives the 76ers the ability to convert his deal into a two-way contract, although that seems unlikely at this point with both Marial Shayok and Norvel Pelle on two-way deals.
More from The Sixer Sense
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell
The fact that the 76ers signed Koumadje to an Exhibit 10 shows that the franchise wants to develop this raw big man. The team’s front office must see some level of potential in the Florida State product.
In his senior season of college the center averaged 15.5 minutes, 6.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 2.0 fouls, while shooting 62.7 percent from the field. He also played for Philly’s summer league team and the 23-year-old averaged 13.7 minutes, 6.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 4.8 fouls, while making 63.2 percent from the floor, per RealGM.
The undrafted rookie’s size alone makes him an interesting prospect. His size mirrors former Sixers big man Boban Marjanovic who is 7-foot-3. Koumadje has real potential as a rim protect at his height, however there’s a reason why he’s on an Exhibit 10. He’s a raw talent who’s still learning the game on both ends of the floor. Despite weighing 268 pounds, the center has a slender frame that can be pushed around by more physical opponents.
It’s very unlikely at this point that Koumadje makes the Philadelphia 76ers final roster, even on a two-way contract. Most likely he will be be waived and end up playing for the Blue Coats next season. Hopefully, his time in Delaware will help him add some strength to his build and develop him more as a basketball player. At this point Koumadje is a long-term project for the Sixers.