Sixers waive Michael Foster Jr., sign Saben Lee to Two-Way Contract

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Sixers
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 07: Shirts line the seats of the Wells Fargo Center for fans before the Eastern Conference Semifinal Game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers on May 07, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

Blink and you may have missed PF Michael Foster Jr.’s brief stint on the court in the final minute of play in the Sixers’ home game against the Nets Tuesday night.

Sixers make a pair of roster moves

Following the game, however, the 19-year old was waived from his two-way contract in order to create space for the team to sign G Saben Lee. If he clears waivers, Foster Jr. will be eligible to re-join the G-League Delaware Blue Coats. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps first reported the news.

Lee, a 23-year old 6’2” point guard out of Vanderbilt, has spent the last two seasons with the Detroit Pistons. In 85 games, including seven starts, he has averaged 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 16.3 minutes per game. He spent the beginning of this season with the Toronto Raptors G-League Affiliate, the 905, where he’s averaged 21.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in 34 minutes per contest.

Signing Lee makes sense for the Sixers as their backcourt depth is heavily depleted. With both Tyrese Maxey and James Harden expected to miss the next few weeks, the team’s guards are essentially limited to De’Anthony Melton and Shake Milton, perhaps with a bit of Furkan Korkmaz and perhaps even Jaden Springer mixed in. Unlike Springer, however, Lee has legitimate NBA experience, something important to head coach Doc Rivers. Plus, Lee is a quick scorer and confident ball-handler, with a gnarly outside jumper. The Sixers signing him gives them a bit of breathing room, while also potentially adding to the bench’s scoring production.

Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire