Philadelphia 76ers: Christ Koumadje is in a perfect long-term situation

After signing an Exhibition 10 contract earlier this month, Christ Koumadje is in a perfect situation to succeed with the Philadelphia 76ers long-term.

When the Philadelphia 76ers signed Norvel Pelle to a two-way contract, it seemed like a good move all around.

Measuring in at 6-foot-11 with great hops and a propensity for making plays around the rim at either end of the court, it looked like the team had finally found a young, high-upside performer who could eventually step into a bigger role in reserve of Joel Embiid.

But then Christ Koumadje, the 7-foot-4 Florida State product filled up fans’ televisions during Summer League, and suddenly everything changed.

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While Pelle still looked very, very good as a high energy reserve, it was hard not to look at Koumadje’s sheer size and marvel.

I mean the N’Djamena, Chad native was even able to measure up to current Boston Celtic/Summer League legend Tacko Fall one-on-one in the paint, and he’d be among the tallest players in the NBA if he ends up making the team’s roster in September.

And apparently, the Sixers saw the same thing we did, as the team extended an Exhibition 10 contract – basically a partially guaranteed deal with a straight shot to the G-League – to ensure they retained Koumadje’s rights going into training camp.

But there’s a problem: the 76ers already have 15 players on their roster and both of their two-way contract slots filled.

Now it seems like a longshot that Koumadje would be able to go from 23-year-old undrafted free agent to earning a spot on the team’s 15 man roster coming our of the summer, but does he have what it takes to beat out either Pelle or Marial Shayok for a roster spot?

Probably not, but that’s not a really a bad thing.

While teams typically want to keep around their best players regardless of the situation that brought them to town, as plenty of undrafted free agents have found success in this league (T.J. McConnell anyone?), Koumadje’s Exhibition 10 status makes him an ideal candidate to remain in Philly after training camp, and stay in the Sixers’ orbit over the next NBA season.

If he can develop into a legitimate post presence while playing across state lines with the Delaware Blue Coats, Koumadje could become the next Shake Milton and earn a brand new, rookie scale contract with the big club. And hey, if he can’t, the Philadelphia 76ers have nothing more invested in Koumadje than his 5-50k signing bonus.

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Between Christ Koumadje and Norvel Pelle, the Philadelphia 76ers have two bites at the apple to find a young, high-upside backup for an oft-injured Joel Embiid, and a 33-year-old Al Horford – what more could you ask for?