Following the early season-ending injury suffered by Ariel Hukporti back in the preseason, the 76ers have sought relief by applying for a disabled player exception. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, sources say that the award to be granted to the team will amount to around $1.7 million. However, given their cap situation, the front office cannot even utilize that –– well, not unless they part ways with a player through a waiver or a trade.
Obviously, Philly will want to make use of that as soon as possible, especially since the team is already dealing with injuries and their old problems are coming back to the surface. Their conundrum off the bench with their backup big man situation, for example, needs an urgent resolution given that Ariel Hukporti is out for the year and both Dominick Barlow and Tacko Fall have yet to even suit up. Also, Joel Embiid is still a massive injury risk out there.
The 76ers now have a good reason to make an urgent roster move
The front office can just opt to cut a player outright, but that is way easier said than done. A few months ago, it would have been perfectly valid for the 76ers to cut ties with someone like Jabari Walker, who is on a non-guaranteed contract. However, the young big man has become too serviceable to just get cut out of the blue at this point, which complicates things.
Philly's brass can go with the trade route, but that will also require them some time. Hukporti, for instance, cannot be traded until after December 15. The same applies to their newcomers via free agency, such as Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Either way, a roster shakeup will be required before the 76ers can properly tap external help to give them a hand in addressing some of their most pressing issues. At the top of that list are depth at the center position, three-point shooting, and rebounding. With that player exception, the front office will have the ammo to get a veteran or a young player still looking for a home in the league.
Hopefully, the front office can fully take advantage of what the league is about to award them. It might not be much and requires another move before it can be utilized, but it is nonetheless an opportunity for them to build a more foolproof roster, even if only in the margins.
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