The Philadelphia 76ers made a signing that few have discussed, but it could benefit the team in a major way.
The Philadelphia 76ers have made many significant moves this offseason.
From trading for All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown to signing Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons, there are plenty of points of discussion when it comes to Philadelphia's busy summer. One signing, however, has gone under-the-radar, which is agreeing to a two-way contract with former Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love.
It's not the flashiest signing, nor will it be the most impactful, but it could pay off big time.
Love spent his rookie season with the Trail Blazers after not being selected in the 2025 NBA Draft. It was a bit of a surprise to not hear his name called, as he spent five impressive seasons in college for North Carolina and Arizona. His efficiency, age, and lack of defensive prowess are often pointed to as the reasons he was not selected.
Still, he took full advantage of his opportunity in Portland. Love averaged 10.4 points on 38.8% shooting and 31.8% shooting from three-point range in 49 games. Efficiency, as can be seen by the aforementioned statistics, remains an issue for the 24-year-old.
So, how could the decision to sign him benefit the 76ers in a meaningful way?
Philadelphia seemingly has its starting and secondary backcourt set with Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Labaron Philon Jr., and Anfernee Simons. But as most are aware, depth is crucial, especially in the modern NBA, where injuries feel more common than ever before.
If one or more of these guards is sidelined, Love will likely hear his name called by coach Nick Nurse. All four of the previously listed backcourt pieces have one attribute in common, which is they score at a high level.
Love, while not the most efficient, does the same, which is how he can help the Sixers. He can ensure there is not an offensive void if one of the 76ers' rotational guards is unavailable for whatever reason.
He does not need to be handed opportunities to score, either, as he is more than capable of creating his own shot. Or, when needed, he can serve as a spot-up shooter, which will be necessary if he's sharing the floor with Joel Embiid.
Love certainly comes with his flaws, which is ultimately why he's on a two-way contract. However, it's safe to say it's one of the best deals of this type across the entire NBA when factoring in his ability to score and fill in for an injured Sixers guard.
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Anthony Pasciolla is the publisher of 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.
