The Philadelphia 76ers rookie big man is out playing his two-way contract, but is there a way he can get a regular contract this season?
The Philadelphia 76ers have been full of surprises this season. One of the underrated and more recent surprises has been the play of Norvel Pelle. Despite only playing three games this year with the Sixers, he’s proving that he’s a NBA level center.
After playing well with the 76ers G-League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats last season, Pelle had earned a two-way contract to join the Philly this season. He hasn’t disappointed in the limited games he’s played. In three games, he’s averaged 12.0 minutes, 4.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.3 blocks, 1.3 turnovers and 3.0 fouls, while making 71.4 percent from the field.
Pelle a very willing/talented shot blocker, thus the high block and foul averages. In the recent win against the New Orleans Pelicans he had six points, five rebounds, two assists and three blocks. After the game, Sixers starting center Joel Embiid offered a very nice compliment to the rookie center in terms of his shot blocking abilities.
Joel Embiid on Norvel Pelle: "I told him if he got the minutes, he would probably lead the league in blocks. He has a chance to become a fan favorite, so he should just keep doing whatever he’s doing.”
— Noah Levick (@NoahLevick) December 14, 2019
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Pelle has shown that he’s a capable defender on this level, which shouldn’t be surprising as he made the G-League’s All-Defensive team last season. Despite the small sample size, Pelle’s defense alone makes a pretty good argument that he’s worthy of a regular contract. The question becomes, is there a way for the 76ers to give him one this season?
Philly has three talented centers on regular contracts in Embiid, Al Horford and Kyle O’Quinn that all deserve minutes. While both Horford and O’Quinn can shift the the power forward spot, it’s not their natural positions. In terms of need, the Sixers don’t need to have Pelle on a regular contract because of the quality of depth. Unless a season ending injury occurs to one of the three bigs, then there’s no need to convert Pelle’s contract.
Even if the 76ers needed to convert the rookie’s deal, it would be hard to do so this season. Philly has a full 15-man roster, with only one non-fully guaranteed contract in Trey Burke. Waiving Burke for Pelle would be foolish because it would leave the point guard position too thin. Unless the Sixers trade a player like Jonah Bolden for draft compensation, for example, then adding Pelle to the roster doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Pelle is slowly proving worthy of an NBA contract this season, but unless something drastic happens with the Philadelphia 76ers roster, then it’s unlikely he will get one. Still, Pelle is proving that he can be in the Sixers long-term plans based on this small sample size of play.