The Sixer Sense
Fansided

8 players the Philadelphia 76ers gave up on too soon

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 01: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic shoots over Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 01, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 01: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic shoots over Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 01, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 9
Next
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Charles Bassey

The Sixers cut Charles Bassey at the beginning of the 2022-23 season to conserve cap space. While that cap space was being conserved, Bassey lit up the G-League with the Austin Spurs before earning a spot in San Antonio’s big league rotation. He subsequently graduated from his two-way contract to a four-year, $10 million extension.

Bassey looks like a long-term piece for the young Spurs, a mega-athlete who can fill the lane on offense and protect the rim on defense. Once considered a five-star recruit out of high school and potential top-5 pick before his rocky stint at Western Kentucky, the talent has always been plain to see. Now, Bassey is with the perfect team to develop good habits while also getting regular opportunities on the court.

Meanwhile, the Sixers used the open roster spot created by waiving Bassey to sign 33-year-old Dewayne Dedmon, who’s probably the fourth-string center once you factor in P.J. Tucker’s inevitably elevated postseason role. Dedmon does not see regular minutes for Philly and he will almost definitely be elsewhere next season, maybe even retired.

For over half the season, we saw Philly get eviscerated as Montrezl Harrell soaked up valuable minutes in the paint behind Embiid. Doc Rivers’ late-season switch to Paul Reed has been a saving grace, but the Sixers let a playable, upside-laden big man walk for nothing without making sure they had a backup center they could trust. Strange choice!