Ricky Council IV’s sincere message to 76ers amid pending contract decision

NEW YORK — The Philadelphia 76ers have gotten impressive production from Ricky Council IV, an undrafted rookie who brings athleticism and intensity to the wing position. But the team must make a decision regarding the 22-year-old’s contract that will determine whether his first season in North America continues through the playoffs.

Council spent his rookie year on a two-way contract and has enough games available to get him through the remainder of the regular season. But players on two-way deals are not eligible for the playoffs. Council’s playing time has waxed and waned — and will likely wane if the 76ers ever return to full health — but has had a legitimate impact on both ends of the court.

The Sixers are fairly close to the tax line that they will need to be patient when it comes to signing the Council, if they choose to go that route before the start of this year’s playoffs. Rosters for the playoffs will be established at 3:00 p.m. EST on April 15, the day after the final day of the regular season.

The Board has given the team plenty of reasons to conclude that he is worth being on the 15-man roster come playoff time. But no matter what direction the front office takes, the Board remains focused on what it can control.

“I feel like I’ve worked hard and whatever the team needs – like I said a long time ago, whatever the team needs from me, that’s cool.” , Council told ClutchPoints before the 76ers’ game against the Brooklyn Nets. “If they feel like they don’t need me for the playoffs and they’re not going to convert him, then that’s their decision. I would obviously love to play in the playoffs, but if I don’t play, I’ll definitely be on the bench cheering.

The Council said it was about letting your game do the talking and staying “concentrate on THE hoops” instead of his contract.

Since his escape game against the Washington Wizards on February 10, the first in which he got real rotation minutes and had 19 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes, Council ranks ninth on the team in total minutes, but second in free throws attempted with 27. Only Tyrese Maxey, at 44, has more. Council shot 70.4 percent from the line during that stretch and his 3.4 FTA per game is also just behind Maxey at 5.2.

Although his per game average of 8.0 points isn’t that great, the rookie is finding ways… often noisy – to help the 76ers.

“I mean, IIt is pretty simple has This point,” the Council said. “THE only hard part East playing several positions ’cause I can either play two to four. J.just trying has learn all THE tasks as A beginner. It can get difficult to times but It is Why You watch more movie And ask more questions.”

Council said Nick Nurse calling plays during timeouts was helpful, as was putting Council in familiar spots. Defensively, the Board was used to guard each position. Although he generally pairs with the wings, he really enjoys playing a multitude of matchups.

“I as that partly because I am very competitive, SO I get keep everyone,” Council said, reflecting on how he guarded the bigger players during his playing years in high school and college. Hiring players of different sizes and skills is “very helpful,” he said. “It just shows you where you are has at the defensive level. I held My I’m a pretty good owner so far.

Whether Ricky Council IV’s skillset is something the 76ers want to have for this year’s playoffs remains to be seen. Amid a slew of veterans, he could easily find himself out of the rotation in the playoffs as Nurse narrows his rotation down to the top seven or eight players. But given how early in his career so far, Philly would surely like to keep him long term.