The Sixers are doing some work around the margins ahead of free agency.
In addition to waiving Norvel Pelle, the team is also planning to waive two-way player Marial Shayok, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia. PhillyVoice’s Kyle Neubeck first reported the news. The Athletic’s Derek Bodner reported Thursday night that the Sixers are signing Dakota Mathias to a two-way deal.
Shayok, the 54th pick in last season’s draft, averaged 23.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists with the Delaware Blue Coats, shooting 35.6 percent from three-point range. Blue Coats head coach Connor Johnson aimed to improve Shayok's on-ball defense and distribution to teammates in the G League.
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The 25-year-old appeared in just four games with the Sixers, who apparently think there are better developmental options worth investing in.
Mathias, a 6-foot-4 guard, played four seasons at Purdue and spent last season on the Texas Legends, the Mavericks’ G-League affiliate. He averaged 18.1 points and converted 39.5 percent of his 8.9 three-point attempts per game. New president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is clearly targeting shooters, and Mathias will reportedly be another player with that skill in the Sixers’ system.
The Sixers added three young players Wednesday night in 21st pick Tyrese Maxey and second-round selections Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed. We’ll see what contracts those players sign and how the two-way situation shakes out. Instead of 45 days of service time, two-way players this year can spend up to 50 games with their NBA teams.
Free agent negotiations can start Friday at 6 p.m. We previewed the big questions for the Sixers here.
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