The Philadelphia 76ers signed undrafted rookie free agent Max Fiedler to an Exhibit 10 contract yesterday, according to 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey.
Philadelphia 76ers Signs Most Productive All-Around Collegiate Player, What Does It Mean?
Fiedler spent five years at Rice and graduated this past season. The 6-11 forward, who reportedly agreed to a training camp deal in July, is a highly efficient big who can do many things well. While limited offensively, he is an outstanding rebounder and passer who can block a few shots.
Fiedler had arguably his best season last year for the Owls. He averaged 9.3 points while setting career-highs with 9.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists while compiling a shooting 66.3% from the field and 61.2% from the free throw line. He also compiled nine double-doubles.
Fiedler is the first Division I player to tally over 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, 100 blocks, and 100 steals for his career. He produced 34 career double-doubles. Additionally, he finished his career as Rice’s all-time leader all-time leader in rebounds (1,144), assists (571), field-goal percentage (65.8%), games played (148), and games started (135).
After the 2023-24 season, Fieldler played three games in the Portsmouth Invitational, during which he struggled offensively but rebounded and passed well. Fiedler appeared in two games for the Sixers in Las Vegas Summer League action, totaling four points and five boards in 15 minutes.
With the signing official, Philadelphia has 18 players under contract with salaries totaling $182.6 million. The 76ers have 14 players on standard contracts, 13 fully guaranteed deals, and all three two. Fiedler is the only player currently on a training camp deal.
Ricky Council IV is expected to make the squad despite having a non-guaranteed deal. Council, who went undrafted out of Arkansas in 2o23, compiled 5.4 points with shooting splits of 48.2/37.5/74.6% in less than 10 minutes over 32 appearances. He scored in double figures eight times and produced one double-double.
76ers Training Camp
While the 76ers will likely fill their remaining three training camp spots, don’t expect them to sign another player to a guaranteed deal. The 76ers are well into the luxury tax, though they are over $6 million below the second apron. Now, if the 76ers find someone they can not let get away, they may sign a player to a guaranteed deal.
Even though the Sixers likely won’t sign another player to a guaranteed deal, they could carry 15 players on opening night to allow them flexibility. Yes, particularly if there are injuries or if someone impresses them enough in training camp.
Philadelphia made wholesale changes this offseason. The 76ers have added nine players, not including ones on two-way deals, this offseason, and project to have two new starters. The Sixers will hold the first week of training camp (Oct. 1-5) at the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
Paul George will start at small forward, while the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Gina Mizell believes Caleb Martin will get the nod at power forward. Therefore, Mizell thinks Kelly Oubre Jr. will shift to the two, and the 76ers will bring Kyle Lowry off the bench.
Oubre is versatile, capable of playing the 2-thru-4, and has been much more effective as a starter than off the bench. Martin has experience starting at power forward but is a little undersized. While Martin, like Oubre, is more productive in the starting unit, they may switch starting spots.
Lowry and Andre Drummond are slated to earn minutes as the primary point guard and center reserves. This leaves Reggie Jackson, Eric Gordon, and possibly the 2024 first-round selection, Jared McClain, to battle for backcourt minutes. KJ Martin, Council, and Guershon Yabusele are slated to battle for frontcourt minutes.
Where Will Max Fiedler End Up?
Here is the thing: Nick Nurse typically doesn’t play many players. So, I suspect Gordon and either Martin or Yabusele will fill out his nine-man rotation.
Back to Fiedler, he will likely end up with the G-League Delaware Blue Coats as an associate player. This season is about development. It is possible that he could impress the 76ers enough to earn a two-way contract, though that is a long shot.
Jeff Dowtin, David Jones, and Justin Edwards are currently on a two-way deal. Edwards is talented but went undrafted after initially being considered a top-10 prospect in his lone season at Kentucky.
Jones had a solid senior campaign at Memphis and showed well with the Sixers in the NBA Summer League. Dowtin is the most susceptible of the trio to not sticking on a two-way deal. The 27-year-old point guard is a G-League+ player who has some NBA experience, though he is probably safe as he had a strong Summer League season.
