Sixers sign Norvel Pelle to two-way contract

A move that was rumored prior to the start of free agency, reports emerged yesterday that the Sixers have signed Delaware Blue Coats center Norvel Pelle to a two-way contract.

It is a one-year contract for the 26-year-old big man. The 6-foot-11 Pelle made the G League’s All-Defensive Team last season, averaging 11.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. Pelle will once again be playing with the Sixers’ summer league team, which first takes the floor on Friday; he averaged 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13.8 minutes per game last summer in Vegas for the Summer Sixers.

Philadelphia currently has Joel Embiid, Al Horford, Jonah Bolden, and Kyle O’Quinn on the roster. With Pelle available to the Sixers for 45 days under the two-way deal, the front office is apparently taking every precaution this time around to allow Embiid more rest throughout the regular season.

At the moment, Shake Milton is under the other two-way contract available to the team. After being drafted with the 54th pick in last month’s NBA draft, it was theorized Marial Shayok would be brought in under a two-way deal. Now, either the Sixers don’t sign Shayok, or, my prediction, they use some of their remaining nearly $8 million in cap space to convert Milton’s deal to a long-term NBA contract. Until that bit of housekeeping is resolved, enjoy seeing your newest part-time Sixer in action starting this weekend.