The Sixers are adding a stretch four who is very well-traveled.
The team is signing Anthony Tolliver to a 10-day contract, a source confirmed Saturday to NBC Sports Philadelphia. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news.
Tolliver hasn't played in the NBA yet this year. He played in 55 games last season, appearing for the Trail Blazers, Kings and Grizzlies. The 35-year-old previously served as the secretary-treasurer for the National Basketball Players Association.
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Since the 2013-14 season, Tolliver has made 38.8 percent of his three-point shots. At least half of his attempts have been from long distance in every season since 2011-12, according to Cleaning the Glass.
We'll see whether he gets a chance to show he should be in mix for the Sixers come the postseason. NBA teams can sign a player to as many as two 10-day contracts within a season. Perhaps the Sixers will give Tolliver a shot to compete for backup power forward minutes with Mike Scott.
They also might consider him as a small-ball center in lineups with Ben Simmons. Units with Simmons on the floor and Dwight Howard at center continue to struggle offensively and sport a minus-13.4 net rating, per Cleaning the Glass. At a minimum, Tolliver is another option for head coach Doc Rivers to try next to Simmons after the Sixers lost frontcourt depth by sending Tony Bradley to the Thunder in the George Hill trade.
“Well, I don’t know about minutes, unless you want to see me bench Tobias (Harris) or somebody like that," Rivers said before the Sixers' game Saturday night against the Thunder. “Just joining the team, hopefully soon. I don’t even know that answer. Maybe in Dallas. If not, probably right when we return home. He’s a veteran. Can shoot the ball. He’s been around the block, which I think this team needs. I think he can help in that regard.”
NBA
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Sixers sit 27th in the league in three-point frequency. Putting up threes is obviously a big part of what Tolliver does and why signing him to a 10-day deal makes sense. He'll have to answer other questions besides whether he's still a willing and capable three-point shooter, though, including whether he can hold his own defensively and is worthwhile depth for the Sixers in the playoffs.
At 35-17, the Sixers are second in the Eastern Conference, a game behind the Nets with 20 regular-season games remaining.