The Sixers currently have 20 players under contract. Two-way deals account for two of those contracts (Charlie Brown Jr. and Julian Champagnie), while Michael Foster Jr. is on an Exhibit 10 deal (which means he will almost definitely end up in the G-League when the season starts). That leaves 17 players fighting to occupy 15 spots on the regular season roster. Daryl Morey and the Sixers will have to cut (or trade) two players before opening night.
One should expect the Sixers to bring all 20 players into training camp. That should allow Doc Rivers to properly survey his options before the final call is made. A good chunk of the final 15, of course, are all but locked in. For the sake of clarity, let’s list the players who are definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, sticking around:
Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, Danuel House Jr., Georges Niang, Montrezl Harrell, Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle, Paul Reed
Who will the Sixers cut before the season starts?
All the players listed above (except for Paul Reed) are on fully guaranteed contracts. Of the players on partially guaranteed contracts, Reed is by far the most proven and bankable player. This writer’s prediction is that he will not get cut.
Now, let’s go player-by-player through those left in roster limbo — and decide who is likely to remain with the team, and who’s likely to be searching for a new home after training camp.