Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking every player on the 2019-20 roster
17. Norvel Pelle
The Sixers doubled down on experience this summer, which included their younger prospects. Norvel Pelle will occupy a two-way contract despite clocking in at 26 years old. He spent last season in Delaware with the G-League squad.
To an extent, it’s good to reward those who pay their dues. Pelle impressed as a Blue Coat, averaging 11.1 points and 8.3 rebounds while anchoring the middle on defense. His athleticism and rim protection skills are his NBA calling card.
Given the Sixers’ saturated frontcourt, Pelle will have a tough time earning actual minutes in 2019-20. Embiid and Horford are expected to shoulder most of the center minutes, while Kyle O’Quinn and Jonah Bolden are ahead of Pelle in the pecking order.
When Pelle does get time, however, he has potential to provide a nice energy jolt in the Richaun Holmes mold. He’s a bouncy athlete and a spectacular lob finisher, using his long arms and springboard athleticism to finish in crowds.
Pelle, while not an elite defender, will patrol the paint and deter drives at the rim. He can soar for highlight blocks, and isn’t a total zero when forced to defend in space. He has all the basic tools of a useful NBA reserve. Philadelphia just isn’t the ideal spot to cultivate those skills, thus Delaware will remain his primary home.