Sixers Sign Roberts One Year
Often-injured center Stanley Roberts signed a $725,000, one-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
Roberts worked out with the team Monday and passed two physicals. The 29-year-old is expected to provide help inside, where the Sixers are hindered by injuries to Matt Geiger, Theo Ratliff and Tyrone Hill.
Roberts, who played for Houston last season, canceled visits to Miami and Milwaukee, who also were looking for another big man.
The Sixers did not use their $1 million exception on Roberts, a 7-footer who got the eight-year veteran's minimum. It is not all guaranteed.
General manager Billy King said Roberts would provide "added veteran leadership to our young corps of big men."
The Sixers also waived guard Rowan Barrett.
Roberts, who says he weighs 315 pounds, had the best year of his career with the Clippers in 1992-93 under the tutelage of current Sixers coach Larry Brown. He averaged a career-high 11.3 points and started 76 games.
But his lengthy list of ailments includes two ruptured Achilles' tendons, bone spurs in his ankles, back surgery and recent shoulder surgery.
"Playing for Larry was the high point of my career," Roberts said. "I know what he expects from me. He knows what I can do."
Brown said, "I like the kid. I want him in our league. If this is a good situation for him, good. But that's up to him."
The Sixers tried to sign Roberts last year, but he chose the Rockets. The signing came a day after Ratliff was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left leg that will keep him out at least three weeks. Geiger has a sore knee, and Hill has a fractured thumb.
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