We are a mere two days away from the start of the NBA regular season and the Sixers have finalized the 17 men they’ll bring with them on the start of their 2018-19 journey.
The 2018-19 roster is set.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 13, 2018
https://t.co/wEEBME3uFG | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/FOiwTvoE5L
There were no surprises among the final list. Emeka Okafor, and the recently-signed Cory Jefferson and Darin Johnson were released to drop the total from 20 to 17. Jefferson and Johnson may end up in Delaware as affiliate cuts. We’ll see if the elder Okafor catches on with another NBA team, after he provided serviceable minutes across 26 games for the Pelicans last season.
Demetrius Jackson and Shake Milton represent the pair of two-way contracts on the roster. Of note, the league just changed the rule so that travel days no longer count against the 45-day limit for two-way players.
NBA altered the "days of service" rule pertaining to players on two way contracts. Travel days will no longer count against the 45 day limit for two way contract players in their time with their respective NBA teams. Travel for G Leaguers going back and forth became problematic.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) October 12, 2018
Milton is an interesting potential 3-and-D player, having slipped back into the second round of the draft due to poor play in pre-draft workouts and injury concerns. He then missed the majority of the summer with a stress fracture in his back. Hopefully, Milton can stay healthy with the Blue Coats and flash the potential we saw during his SMU career. Meanwhile, Jackson continues to hang around presumably because he “knows the offense”. I’ve personally never been impressed with his on-court efforts in past preseasons or summer leagues.
Nevertheless, we know who will suit up for Tuesday night’s opener in Boston. Zhaire Smith (fractured foot), Wilson Chandler (still “a ways away” with a hamstring strain), and Jerryd Bayless (knee strain) will surely be the three inactive players. As for the rest, bring on the Celtics.