Report: Sixers to sign Chuma Okeke to 10-day contract

With the open roster spots available after the NBA trade deadline, the Sixers are reportedly signing wing Chuma Okeke to a 10-day deal.

The Sixers didn’t wait long to utilize one of the open roster spots created at the trade deadline.

The team will reportedly sign 2019 first-round pick Chuma Okeke to a 10-day contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Okeke’s NBA path has been marred by injury. He was selected 16th overall out of Auburn by the Orlando Magic in 2019. He might’ve gone higher, but a torn ACL suffered during the NCAA Tournament caused him to drop and basically have a redshirt first season in the NBA.

He played well during his rookie season in Orlando, averaging 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 25.2 minutes per game. He wasn’t nearly as effective in 2021-22 before succumbing to more injuries in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and playing only 74 games in those two seasons combined.

He was in camp with the New York Knicks and has been playing for their G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks, this season. The 26-year-old has filled up the stat sheet in 16 games, posting 17.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks in 36.8 minutes per game. As is the case with most fringe NBA wings, the shot is the biggest question mark. He’s hit just 31.8% from deep in his NBA career, but is making 35.8% on very high volume (9.3 attempts) in the G League.

Okeke is a player that seems worth a flyer for 10 days. He’s a big combo forward that can make impact defensive plays without being a total zero on offense. He certainly fits the mold of a rangy defender that comes up with deflections that Nick Nurse tends to favor.

Even with the signing of Okeke, the Sixers will have another roster spot open to pursue a buyout target, convert a two-way player like Justin Edwards or Jared Butler to a standard deal, or sign another player to a 10-day.