The Philadelphia 76ers are quickly running out of players. In their Friday night matchup against the Indiana Pacers, the team had to sign veteran wing Oshae Brissett to a 10-day contract using a hardship exception simply to field eight players on the court. Ahead of their Sunday afternoon matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, the team has added yet another body, a familiar one at that, by signing Chuma Okeke to another 10-day contract, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Okeke, the former No. 16 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, signed a 10-day contract with the team in early February but played only two minutes in a single game against the Detroit Pistons. As the Sixers continue to limp to the finish line this season, the team has brought him back amidst an increasing rash of injuries.
Adem Bona is the latest Sixer to join the injury list, as he is now set to miss Sunday’s game due to an ankle sprain. Alongside Bona, Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, Joel Embiid, Jared McCain, Eric Gordon, and Kyle Lowry are all OUT for the game.
An additional need for Chuma comes as word is soon expected to be announced of Paul George‘s season coming to an end. It has already been reported that George is consulting with doctors about the approach to his groin and lingering knee injuries, and a possible procedure is on the table as a solution. Prior to the Sixers’ game against Indiana, Head Coach Nick Nurse said that an update on George is expected to come early next week.
Signing Okeke to this deal is likely related to Bona’s more than anything, but it will likely serve two purposes.
Okeke, like Brissett, will provide Philadelphia with a body that can log minutes so that players like Guerschon Yabusele and others will not have to play extraordinary minutes down this season’s final stretch.
