Sixers Sign Robert Covington, Waive Chris Johnson

The first pick in this year's D-League draft, Robert Covington has been signed by the 76ers on Saturday.  According to reports, Covington will sign a four-year, $4.2 million contract with Philadelphia, netting him $1 million for this season alone.

To make room for Covington, guard Chris Johnson has been waived.  Johnson struggled to find his shot with the Sixers, averaging 6.0 points per game on 31.7% shooting, including a horrid 25.6% from beyond the arc.

Covington spent much of last season with Houston’s D-League affiliate despite being on the team’s NBA roster the entire year. He earned himself a trip to the D-League’s All-Star game ans was named D-League rookie of the year by averaging 23.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game in 42 D-League appearances.

The 6-foot-9 small forward is a guy who can fill the stat sheet and that is what Sam Hinkie likes.  During his senior season at Tennessee State, he averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game.

He represents another project type of player that Hinkie and the Sixers are going to give a shot to prove they can be a part of the rebuild.  The Sixers are dedicated to looking for diamonds-in-the-rough, someone with the ability to grow in a NBA environment and prove they belong without the pressure of having to win now.