Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Big men Solomon Alabi (Ala-bee) and Nayal “Mac” Koshwal are the latest players added to the Philadelphia 76ers‘ training camp roster. Both also have a strong chance of seeing the regular season in a Sixers’ uniform with the injuries plaguing the team.
Both players can add size, with the rate of big men diminishing for the Sixers. Centers Nerlens Noel, Kwame Brown and Arnett Moultrie are out indefinitely, as well as Lavoy Allen.
Alabi and Koshwal will be competing against power forward Hollis Thompson to backup starting big men, Thaddeus Young and Spencer Hawes. The roster has increased to 20 with their additions.
Koshwal left his senior season with DePaul after averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block. The Sudanese forward played for various minor league teams and also participated in the Summer League team this year. Fellow African player, Alabi last played for the Toronto Raptors during the 2011-12 season. He spent last season in the D-League and Greek League. The Nigerian center was on the ACC All-Defensive team so he should provide an interior defensive presence the Sixers could use. His 7-foot-1, 250-pound frame adds to an undersized front-court.
The Sixers might utilize these guys considering they’ll come cheap, both will probably make less than $1 million each for a one-year or partially guaranteed contract, so it would be beneficial for the Sixers as a way to curb the injuries. Adding Alabi and Koshwal also gives the Sixers a higher chance of drafting franchise player Andrew Wiggins.
Hawes and Young will probably have their playing time limited as a way to remain healthy for next season when the Sixers will look to compete for a title; whether it be with adding Wiggins or free agents to be Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony.
Alan Gung is a Philadelphia 76ers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlanGung, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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