The Philadelphia 76ers are actively shaping their roster under the guidance of first-year president of basketball operations Mike Gansey. Since taking the helm in late May, Gansey has made significant moves, including the acquisition of stars like Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, who will join established players such as Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. The 76ers now have a total of eight newcomers on their 18-man roster, with seven of those players arriving through free agency.
A key aspect of the 76ers' recent roster adjustments has been the emphasis on experience. Six of the eight new players have at least three seasons of NBA experience, while those with less experience are all 24 years or older. Among the two-way players signed are Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert, both of whom have shown promise in their early careers.
Caleb Love, who will celebrate his 25th birthday in September, previously played five seasons at a high level in college and went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. After signing a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, he made an impact by appearing in 49 games during a season marred by injuries for the team. Love averaged 10.4 points and contributed significantly from beyond the arc, hitting 1.9 three-pointers per game.
Rayan Rupert, a second-round pick in 2023, spent last season with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies. While still carving out his niche in the NBA, he demonstrated his potential during his time with the Grizzlies, averaging 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds across 16 games. With 155 career NBA games under his belt, Rupert is looking to solidify his role in the league.
As training camp approaches, the 76ers currently have 14 players on standard contracts and are just $1.8 million below the hard cap. Reports indicate that the team plans to leave the 15th roster spot open, with the last two-way contract also yet to be filled. This strategy allows the team flexibility as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Recently, the 76ers signed Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Saint Thomas to Exhibit 10 contracts. These contracts allow the players to compete for a two-way deal, which would enable them to split time between the NBA and the G-League. Tacko Fall, a 7-foot-6 center who went undrafted in 2019, has limited NBA experience but has shown his skills in international play, averaging 10.8 points and 6.0 rebounds last season in China.
Jameer Nelson Jr., the son of 76ers executive Jameer Nelson, has been brought in to bolster the backcourt. He is known for his defensive abilities and playmaking skills, having averaged 8.9 points and 3.4 assists in the G-League last season. Meanwhile, Saint Thomas, who spent last season with the Delaware Blue Coats, showcased his versatility by averaging 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.
Among the four players on Exhibit 10 deals, Tacko Fall is seen as a frontrunner for the final two-way spot due to his experience and the specific needs of the team. With Love and Rupert already secured on two-way contracts, the 76ers are looking for depth behind Embiid, particularly if he faces any injury challenges this season. The team has filled 20 of their 21 training camp spots, but if none of the current candidates stand out, they may explore external options for the two-way deal as the season unfolds.
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