NBA Free Agency 2020: Sixers waive Marial Shayok

The Philadelphia 76ers are waiving two-way player Marial Shayok, according to Kyle Neubeck of Philly Voice. The Sixers selected Shayok 54th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and Shayok had occupied one of the Sixers two two-way roster spots. This move comes on the heels of the team waiving Norvel Pelle and signing Dakota Mathias to a two-way contact. With Shayok on the outs, Philly will have one two-way roster spot left which could to go Paul Reed, who the franchise drafted 58th overall in Wednesday evening’s 2020 NBA Draft.

Shayok had some success in the G-League over the 2019-2020 season as a volume scorer with Sixers affiliate Delware Blue Coats, averaging 22.4 points on 18.8 shots per game while shooting 45.6% from the floor, 35.8% from 3PT, and 88.9% from the line. Unfortunately for Shayok, being a volume scorer with ‘meh’ efficiency in the G-League isn’t all that impressive — or at least, the Sixers didn’t think so. He played just four games for the pro club with a total of 28 minutes, mostly in garbage time.

What Shayok’s future holds is uncertain. He was passed on in favor of 53 other players the 2019 NBA Draft and some analysts were surprised the Sixers spent a draft pick on him at all. At this point, by prospect standards, he’s old at age 25 with just one NBA season under his belt. Shayok may look to international opportunities or to spend another year in the G-League, but I wouldn’t expect to see him getting much NBA run in the near future.

Sixers fans needn’t be too phased by this development. You can think of Isaiah Joe, 49th overall pick, as Shayok’s replacement — only younger, more versatile, and having more upside. (You know what, don’t think of Joe as a Shayok replacement.)