The Sixers on Friday announced that they’ve waived Ricky Council IV.
Council’s 2025-26 season salary of approximately $2.2 million would not have become guaranteed until Jan. 10.
The 23-year-old wing first joined the Sixers as an undrafted free agent in 2023, signing a two-way contract. He had several impressive performances his rookie season that displayed immense athleticism and confidence.
Remarkably, Council led the injury-ravaged Sixers last year with 73 games played.
However, he only averaged 17.1 minutes and made two G League appearances for the Delaware Blue Coats. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse was publicly critical at times of Council’s play, including his rebounding.
“That’s really his forte, to play in the open floor,” Nurse said on Jan. 9. “We certainly are trying to encourage that from him. The biggest concern I have on that, however, is he’s got to get the rebound to do it. My big emphasis point for him and one of the things he needs to do more and better is rebound on both ends.
“He can jump, he’s quick, he’s athletic, and that makeup should result in some more rebounding at both ends for him. Really trying to get him to get on the glass more so he can do more of that.”
Council’s shot selection and overall decline as a jump shooter were clear issues. He went 38.2 percent from the floor and 25.8 percent from three-point range last year.
After waiving Council, the Sixers are at 13 standard contracts, which is two below the maximum. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told reporters about two weeks ago that the team hopes to “work things out” with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes. Hunter Sallis, Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker currently fill the Sixers’ three two-way contract slots.
