Lacking a backup big man in games when they're missing one of Jahlil Okafor or Richaun Holmes, the Sixers should soon be getting a little help.
Veteran center Tiago Splitter was assigned to the D-League affiliate Delaware 87ers on Tuesday as his rehab from a right calf strain ramps up.
The Sixers acquired the 32-year-old Splitter from the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 22 in the Ersan Ilyasova trade. Splitter hasn't played since and hasn't appeared in an NBA game since Jan. 31, 2016.
It is unclear how quickly Splitter will be able to contribute to the Sixers or how many minutes he'll be able to play, but he figures to take the place of Shawn Long when he's ready to go.
The Sixers (26-44) have 12 games left.
If you're into counting ping-pong balls, the Sixers currently have the NBA's fifth-worst record but the third-best chance (47 percent) of landing a top-three pick because of their pick swap with the Kings. Only the Celtics (64.3 percent, via the Nets) and Lakers (55.8 percent) have a better shot at getting a top-three pick in a loaded draft.
