With the offseason in full swing, NBA draft and free agency upcoming, the Sixers are preparing for an unexpected and monumental offseason.
Although further down the list of decisions to be made regarding this roster, Daryl Morey and the front office have to decide if three of their players can contribute to the team next season. Jared Butler, Ricky Council IV, and Lonnie Walker IV all were under the microscope in 2024, getting extended looks in the lost season, where the Sixers pivoted to tanking.
Will any of these players make the roster?
Ricky Council IV
Ricky Council IV is potentially about to enter his third season with the Sixers. He has shown flashes of being a serviceable NBA player with extreme athleticism, above-the-rim ability, and a knack for drawing contact and finishing through that contact.
His play in the 2023-2024 season earned him a standard NBA deal before the playoffs got started. However, due to the number of injuries the team sustained last season, he got some extended looks on the court and seemed to fall out of favor with head coach Nick Nurse at different points throughout the year.
Even when the Sixers only had nine or ten players available, it seemed that Council couldn’t crack the rotation late. His off-ball defense left a lot to be desired, and his shooting was inconsistent at best. Teams played him with his shooting in mind, clouding the paint and forcing him to take deep threes with varying success. Council’s driving ability was his best trait, and teams began to take that away from him last season.
Council’s contract is non-guaranteed for the 2025-2026 season until 1/10/2026, so they could cut ties with him before then if they don’t see him as a long-term fit. Even though they have some time before making an official decision, it’s entirely possible to see the team move on from him altogether.
Jared Butler
Butler came over in a deadline deal from the Washington Wizards and was originally on a two-way deal. His deal was converted to a standard NBA deal with a $2.3 million club option for this upcoming season. The Sixers have to make a decision by 6/27/2025 on whether they will accept the club option, and it likely depends on what they do in the draft.
Butler received an extended run down the stretch after being traded, playing in 28 games and starting 17 of those games. He averaged 11.5 points per game and 4.9 assists per game. He showed some flashes of solid point guard play, but still needs his game to grow in order to see if he can stick with this team and in the league.
If the Sixers draft a guard, it could signal the end of Butler’s time in Philadelphia. They already have Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, will reportedly try to re-sign Quentin Grimes, and Eric Gordon, who will likely return, whether by accepting his player option or opting out and re-signing for the vet minimum. The backcourt could be really crowded and may not have many minutes for him. With the potential of a potent backcourt returning, he may be on the outside looking in from a roster perspective.
Lonnie Walker IV
Walker IV officially signed with Philadelphia on Feb. 21st, 2025, as they filled the final roster spot for the rest of the season. The Sixers needed another athletic guard/wing to help fill out an injury-riddled roster. In 20 games with his hometown team, he averaged 12.4 points per game and provided the lineup with an athletic scorer off the bench. He was only able to start seven games due to a lengthy stint in the NBA’s concussion protocol after a hard fall.
His contract has a club option for $2.9 million that has to be decided on by 6/29/2025. Like Gordon, it’s possible for the Sixers to decline this option and re-sign Walker for the veteran minimum. In this case, Walker would make $3,080,917, while only costing $2,296,271 against the cap.
Similar to Jared Butler, Walker’s fate may be tied directly to what the team does in the draft. If Philadelphia targets more guards or wings in the first two rounds, it could leave him on the outside looking in. Morey has said this offseason that he wants to lean on young, more athletic players to get them through the season. There is a possibility that he could stick around, but it’s far from certain.
