Kofi Inkoom
The Philadelphia Sixers have made the decision to release Ricky Council and David Duke Jr., Keith Pompey of the inquirer reports.
Council’s departure comes as a bit of a surprise. He was considered one of the top undrafted prospects this year after his junior season at Arkansas and had swiftly secured a two-way contract with the Sixers.
Such two-way contracts, when signed before the regular season, can include partial guarantees of up to the maximum Exhibit 10 bonus amount for that specific year, which stands at $75,000 for 2023/24. It remains uncertain whether Council received this partial guarantee.
It’s worth noting that two-way contracts do not impact the salary cap, and it seems that the Sixers have different plans for the roster spot that Council previously occupied.
Council, a 6’6″ guard, showcased his skills during the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in five games, with an average of 24.6 minutes per game. He also made appearances in three preseason games, albeit with limited playing time.
As for David Duke, who had spent the previous two seasons with the Nets, he is likely set to join the Delaware Blue Coats, which is the G League affiliate of the Philadelphia Sixers, for the 2023/24 season.
He had signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Sixers, making him eligible for a $75,000 bonus if he spends a minimum of 60 days with the Delaware team.
With these moves, the Sixers’ roster now consists of 19 players under contract, leaving one open two-way slot.