The Sixers have made their first cut of the fall, but aren’t any closer to finalizing their opening night lineup, having immediately signed another player to bring their roster count back up to 20. Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com reports (via Twitter) that Philadelphia has signed Daniel Orton and waived Tim Ohlbrecht.
Orton, 23, was released by the Thunder last Thursday, giving all 30 teams a chance to claim him on waivers. Although the Sixers have plenty of cap space and could have put in a claim at that point, it seems the team wanted to sign the big man on its own terms. I expect Orton’s new contract is mostly or completely non-guaranteed, like his old deal was, but perhaps Philadelphia made it a four-year pact, as the club has done for several other minimum-salary players.
Orton was selected by the Magic in the first round in 2010, but only lasted two seasons with the team before he became a free agent and signed a minimum deal with the Thunder. In 2012/13, the big man bounced back and forth between OKC and the club’s D-League affiliate at Tulsa. In 29 games for the 66ers, Orton averaged 12.5 PPG and 7.8 RPG.
The Sixers had claimed Ohlbrecht off waivers from the Rockets in July, along with James Anderson. However, while Anderson appears headed for a roster spot in Philadelphia, Ohlbrecht figures to become an unrestricted free agent later this week, assuming he clears waivers.