The 76ers yesterday signed first-round draft pick Marreese Speights, shoring up what looks to be a strong frontcourt for the 2008-09 season.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but according to the NBA's rookie salary scale, Speights will earn $1.29 million this season and $1.38 million in his second season, and have an option for a third at $1.48 million.
The Sixers drafted Speights, a 6-foot-10 forward out of the University of Florida, with the 16th pick of the 2008 draft.
In the Sixers' frontcourt, Speights joins newly acquired all-star power forward Elton Brand, centers Samuel Dalembert and Jason Smith, and forwards Thaddeus Young and Reggie Evans.
Speights traveled to Las Vegas with the Sixers, playing in five games in the NBA Summer League. The 76ers finished 3-2. Speights averaged 18.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in five games. The NBA Summer League continues through tomorrow. But as of yesterday, Speights was one of only three players averaging a double-double.
The 76ers returned yesterday from Las Vegas.
While in Vegas, Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski said Speights showed a lot of energy, putting to rest the draft-day rumors about Speights' work ethic. Stefanski called that talk "fabricated."
"I don't see any of that,"
Stefanski said. "Nothing at all. He's been a pleasure to be around."
Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said in Vegas that he was pleased with Speights' athleticism and hustle on the court.
Speights was an early-entry candidate, playing only two seasons at Florida. He was a member of the Gators' 2007 national champion team. His last season with Florida, as a sophomore, Speights averaged 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks a game in only 24.3 minutes. Speights also posted the nation's ninth-highest field goal percentage, 62.4 percent, and finished his career shooting 63.3 percent.
