The Philadelphia 76ers are filling their final open roster with an internal promotion. The Sixers are signing guard Ricky Council to a four-year, $7.4 million contract. Council has been with Philadelphia on a two-way contract. Council will be eligible to play in the postseason for the Sixers.

Council signed a two-way deal with the 76ers after going undrafted out of Arkansas at the 2023 NBA Draft. He's appeared in 31 NBA games this season and averaged 5.5 points on 48.2% shooting.

In 27 G League games this season, the 6-foot-6 wing averaged 23.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and a steal per game. In two G League playoff games for the Delaware Blue Coats, Council averaged 29.5 points.

The Philadelphia 76ers are adding forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. on a two-way contract. To clear room for Lofton, the Sixers are waiving guard Javonte Smart.

Lofton was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in the week. Memphis needed to create a roster spot when Ja Morant was reinstated from the suspended list.

The 6-foot-6 forward appeared in 39 NBA games with the Grizzlies over the past two seasons. He's averaged 4.1 points in seven minutes per game over that period.

In the G League, Lofton has been a dominant scorer and rebounder. In 32 games over two seasons with the Memphis Hustle, Lofton has averaged 22.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

Smart appeared in one NBA game for 76ers this season.

Former NBA guard Jameer Nelson has been promoted to general manager of the Delaware Blue Coats. The Blue Coats are the Philadelphia 76ers G League affiliate.

Nelson has been steadily rising up the front office ranks for Philadelphia. He was previously Delaware's assistant general manager and a scout for the Sixers.

Nelson played in the NBA for 14 seasons. He spent the first 10 years of his career with the Orlando Magic. Over his final four seasons, through the 2017-18 season, Nelson played for the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans and Detroit Pistons.

The Philadelphia 76ers have converted Javonte Smart to a two-way contract. Smart had been signed to an Exhibit 10 contract.

Smart has one year of NBA experience. He spent time with both the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks during the 2021-22 season. Smart played for the Birmingham Squadron of the G League last season. He averaged 13.6 points and 3.2 assists per game with the Squadron.

The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to hire Mike Longabardi as head coach of the Delaware Blue Coats of the G League.

Longabardi has been an NBA assistant coach since 2003. Longabardi spent last season with the Atlanta Hawks.