Turkish big man Aldemir set to join Sixers
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Furkan Aldemir is set to become the newest 76er. The Turkish power forward/center was scheduled to arrive in Philadelphia on Sunday night. A team source said the 6-foot-9, 230-pound Aldemir would sign within the next few days, possibly as early as Monday.
Furkan Aldemir is set to become the newest 76er.
The Turkish power forward/center was scheduled to arrive in Philadelphia on Sunday night. A team source said the 6-foot-9, 230-pound Aldemir would sign within the next few days, possibly as early as Monday.
The Sixers (2-21) waived Ronald Roberts from their 15-man roster to make room for the new addition. The move came two days after the team called up Roberts from the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League.
A team source said the former St. Joseph's standout would be sent back to the 87ers.
Aldemir announced Nov. 24 on Facebook that he was headed to the NBA, where the Sixers hold his rights. At the time, he had his contract with Galatasaray of the Turkish Basketball League terminated after the team failed to pay his salary for five months.
He was expected to sign a four-year deal with the Sixers two weeks ago. The signing was held up because Aldemir did not have a work visa. The 23-year-old also had to receive clearance from the International Basketball Federation to play in a non-FIBA league.
The Sixers acquired Aldemir's NBA rights along with Royce White in a trade with the Houston Rockets in July 2013. At the time, the perception was that the move was made to help the Rockets get rid of White's $1.7 million expiring contract for the 2013-14 season so they could give a maximum contract to free agent Dwight Howard.
But the Sixers wouldn't make the trade until the Rockets included Aldemir. Now, the team is excited to bring him into the fold.
He fills an immediate need since power forward/center Nerlens Noel and center Henry Sims are the team's only legitimate post players. The Sixers won't waste time getting him onto the court.
Celtics next
The Sixers host the Boston Celtics on Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics (7-14) have won four of the last seven meetings.
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