Sixers add a second year to Anthony Tolliver’s contract

A little nugget of news trickled out of the Philadelphia 76ers Front Office today: the Sixers and Anthony Tolliver have agreed to add a second year to his current contract, which is set to expire after this season. This news comes on the heels of Tolliver signing with the Sixers for the remainder of the season just this past Sunday when his second 10-day contract with the team was set to expire.

The signing of Tolliver for the remainder of this season made sense when the news broke. Tolliver, as a stretch four, theoretically fills a role for Philly. I say theoretically because the truth is that Tolliver’s value is moreso in his presence in the locker room as a veteran who has been in this league since 2008. Outside of a few games during which the Sixers were dealing with injuries, Tolliver has seen DNPs and garbage time minutes. He fills a roster spot, basically.

So, why does it make sense to add a second year to his contract? With Tolliver signed through the end of the 2021-22 season, it gives the Sixers an extra contract to include in a trade. Tolliver’s contract is valued at $2.7 million, which could come in handy if the Sixers need to match salary in a trade. ESPN’s Bobby Marks explains:

This is basically a win-win...-win situation for the Sixers.

1. Currently, Tolliver rounds out the roster for the playoffs ahead. If he’s needed in case of emergency, he’s a great on-court fit with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Maybe he doesn’t have as much to offer as he would have in previous years, but if the Sixers do need him, they probably have bigger problems anyway.
2. Once the offseason comes around, Tolliver’s contract gives the Sixers some extra salary to work into a trade.
3. If the Sixers don’t end up using Tolliver’s contract for a trade, they can use him in exactly the same role he’s in now (end of bench veteran presence) or cut ties before his contract becomes guaranteed.

Simple but savvy move by Daryl Morey and the Sixers Front Office.