Justin Harper looks to space floor for Sixers

Justin Harper looks at his opportunity with the 76ers as way to showcase how he can help a team.

"I think it's an opportunity here to show that I can space the floor, and be another viable option at the four [power forward] for an already solid team," said Harper, who signed a 10-day contract with the Sixers on Friday. "I think, it's a great opportunity to show that, and just moving forward and trying to achieve my goals individually."

The 6-foot-10, 225-pounder averaged 16.2 points and 7.0 rebounds and shot 40.1 percent on three-pointers this season for the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League.

Harper was the 32nd overall pick of the 2011 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers out of Richmond.  He was traded on draft night to the Orlando Magic. The 27-year-old played in 14 games during that strike-shortened season. He then spent the next three seasons overseas. He was in the Brooklyn Nets' training camp before the start of last season.

After being waived, Harper was acquired by the D-Fenders and was named a 2016 D-League all-star.  He had two 10-day contracts with the Detroit Pistons last season.

"Being able to stretch a floor at the power forward position is more and more important in the league now," Harper said. "I see myself being able to take the role for whichever team would choose me. I'm thankful the opportunity to showcase that."

Harper was notified that the Sixers were going to call him up from on Thursday morning in Los Angeles. The team was getting ready to travel to Arizona to face the Northern Arizona Suns. The D-Fenders general manager approached Harper and told him to call his agent.

"And he gave me the good news," Harper said.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.