Sixers sign Pete Nance to a two-way contract amid center injuries

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In need of a post player, the 76ers have signed Pete Nance to a two-way contract.

To create a roster spot for Nance, the team parted ways with two-way shooting guard Lester Quiñones, who averaged 2.3 points and 1.0 rebounds in 4.3 minutes in four games with the Sixers.

» READ MORE: Sixers hope to settle center position and land consecutive wins for first time this season

NBA rosters are allowed to carry three two-way players in addition to 15 standard-roster players. Justin Edwards and Jeff Dowtin Jr. are the Sixers’ other two-way players.

The Sixers signed Nance from the G League’s Cleveland Charge.

“I’ve been working really, really hard for this,” Nance said Tuesday before the Sixers' shootaround. “Obviously, this is what everybody in the [G League] is working toward. It feels good that the hard work has paid off. I’m just excited to be in a new place — a lot of new faces, but just excited to get to work.”

Nance, who went undrafted out of North Carolina in 2023, had a 6:30 a.m. flight to Charlotte, and arrived at the team’s hotel 30 minutes before its morning film session. Nance basically had enough time to put his belongings in his room before heading downstairs to prep for Tuesday night’s NBA Cup game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center.

Nance, 24, will wear No. 22 in honor of his father, former NBA All-Star Larry Nance Sr. He is the younger brother of Atlanta Hawks post Larry Nance Jr., who’s in his 10th NBA season.

Nance’s signing came at a time when Guerschon Yabusele and Adem Bona were the only available centers heading into the contest against the Hornets. Even that was misleading, considering that the 6-foot-8, 280-pound Yabusele is a power forward who plays center out of need.

The 6-8, 245-pound rookie Bona has been called up from the G League early and often with seven-time All-Star Joel Embiid (left knee injury management/personal reasons) and Andre Drummond (sprained right ankle) sidelined.

» READ MORE: So far, the Sixers have been NBA’s biggest disappointment. They’re determined to change that

Drummond will miss the game against the Hornets along with games against the Magic on Wednesday and Friday at the Wells Fargo Center. He will be reevaluated this weekend.

Embiid will miss his fifth straight game on Tuesday. The 2023 league MVP has played in only four games this season.

Nance, a 6-10, 230-pounder, provides needed size with Embiid and Drummond absent. He played in eight games last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and averaged 0.4 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 3.4 minutes. Still, Nance has displayed versatility in the G League with the Charge this season. He averaged 18.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.9 blocks in eight Tip-Off Tournament games.

» READ MORE: Young wings Ricky Council IV and KJ Martin make a strong case to stay in the Sixers’ rotation

“I think a versatile big man that can guard multiple positions, space the floor, just kind of do a little bit of everything” Nance said of what he offers the Sixers. “I’ll bring whatever is needed for me, whether it be defensively or offensively. I think I can play a lot of different roles. Just whatever the staff needs from me, I think I can do it.”

Nance is listed as a power forward. However, he has played the stretch-five position in a small-ball lineup in the G League.

“I’m obviously eager to grow the part of my game, coming up here,” Nance said.

Tyrese Maxey has regained his long-range shooting touch.

The All-Star point guard has made 50% of his three-pointers (17 of 34) in his last four games. Maxey previously made just 26.5% of his three-pointers in his first eight games of the season.

He made 37.3% of his three-pointers last season, 42.7% during the 2021-22 season, and a career-best 43.4% in 2022-23.

Sixers forward Caleb Martin (upper back soreness) and reserve point guards Kyle Lowry (strained right hip) and Reggie Jackson (right knee soreness) are listed as probable for Tuesday. Jackson sat out Saturday’s road game against the Detroit Pistons. Lowry has been sidelined five games and Martin has missed two.