Ahead of their final game of the regular season, the Sixers have officially converted the deal of two-way wing Ricky Council into a new four-year, $7.4 million deal, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The deal, which includes this season, will run through the 2026-27 NBA season.
Council has vastly exceeded all expectations natural of an undrafted free agent, averaging 5.5 points while shooting 48.2 percent from the floor, 35.5 percent from three, and 74.6 percent from the free-throw line in just over nine minutes played a night over 31 games.
The offensive ability and shooting competence that Council has displayed are surely a plus, considering the scouting report on him heading into the season, but his defensive ability has far exceeded the already strong projections attached to him when he entered the league.
That strength, defensively matched with an endless motor, has earned Nick Nurse’s trust on multiple occasions, even in higher-leverage situations such as the Sixers’ double-overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs on April 7.
What this means for Council and the Sixers now
The most crucial difference this makes for the team’s immediate future is that Ricky Council IV is now eligible to be on Philadelphia’s postseason roster. While it’s unlikely he will be a core member of the playoff-shortened rotation, Council has, at times, been sprinkled into games situationally by Nick Nurse. That will remain an option this postseason.
What this means later
The Sixers will have three more seasons of Council if all goes right from here. As they enter an offseason in the rare position as a contender with immense cap space, having reliable players on team-friendly deals such as Council, and Jeff Dowtin Jr. for that matter, gives the team even further flexibility come free agency.
