Shawn Long
Position: Center
Status for 2017-18: Non-guaranteed for $1,312,611
Long in 2016-17
Long went undrafted last June and signed with the Sixers for Summer League ball. He stayed with the team through camp and played in seven preseason games before he was waived.
After that, Long spent the majority of his season in Delaware with the 87ers. The Louisiana-Lafayette product made an impression with his standout play down in the D-League. He even earned himself a D-League All-Star nod and was named to the All-NBA D-League Second Team after the season. He put together consistent double-doubles for the 87ers and averaged 20.2 points and 11.1 rebounds over 29.5 minutes. He even scored 45 points in a game at one point.
Still, all of this likely wouldn't have earned him a role if it weren't for injuries. Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor went down with injuries while Nerlens Noel was traded, opening a need for a third center as Tiago Splitter - acquired from Atlanta in the trade for Ersan Ilyasova - rehabbed his way back to the court.
Philadelphia 76ers
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia 76ers and their rivals in the NBA from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Making his debut on March 6, Long played in 18 games the rest of the way, putting up 8.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest for the Sixers. He shot 56 percent from the field while stepping out to hit 36.8 percent of his threes, helping stretch the floor for the struggling Sixers. Originally on the team on a 10-day contract, he earned himself a three-year deal that was guaranteed through the end of the 2016-17 season.
Signature game
Long earned one double-double in his 18-game stint. His 15-point, 10-rebound effort came in a loss to the Pacers in late March. His best and most efficient game came two nights earlier.
On March 24, Long needed just 19 minutes to score 18 points on 8 for 10 shooting. He grabbed seven rebounds as well as the Sixers earned a 117-107 win over the playoff-bound Chicago Bulls on the road.
Looking ahead to 2017-18
The Sixers have an offseason to get healthy and that means Long's time with the Sixers may come to at least a momentary end at the beginning of the season. Even if Okafor is traded, Embiid will return next fall alongside Richaun Holmes and the Sixers could easily bring in a veteran - possibly Splitter - to absorb the rest of the team's minutes at center.
The 6-foot-9 Long won't necessarily be without a job. He'll have the chance to prove himself in summer league or training camp again and potentially earn a look with another team if the Sixers pass. If he does stay in Philly, expect him to be shuttled between the NBA and D-League in order to earn consistent minutes. The developing stretch-five did show something in his limited NBA minutes and likely hasn't seen the end of his NBA career.
On Long
"I think that Shawn Long has really grabbed his brief opportunities and been more than serviceable. He's shown reasons why he should be considered a genuine NBA player."
- Sixers head coach Brett Brown
