Sixers sign Shawn Long to 10-day deal

The 76ers got the extra post player they needed by getting the NBA to approve an extra roster spot.

The team called up Delaware 87ers center Shawn Long, multiple sources told the Inquirer/Daily News Monday morning. The Sixers confirmed the report at 11 a.m. He will be available for Monday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wells Fargo Center.

"I thought they were just inviting me to work out," Long said following Monday morning's shootaround.  "It's a big opportunity for me, and I look to capitalize on him."

Long was averaging 20.2 points and 11.1 rebounds for the Sevens, the Sixers' NBA Development League team. He was one of the Sixers' final cuts in the preseason.

The Sixers successfully petitioned the league for a 16th roster spot because they have four players out for at least an additional two weeks after missing at least three games.

Joel Embiid will miss the rest of the season with a meniscus tear and a bone bruise in his left knee. Ben Simmons has been sidelined the entire season with a Jones fracture in his right foot. Jerryd Bayless played in only three games because of torn ligaments in his left wrist. And Tiago Splitter, whom the Sixers acquired Feb. 22 from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade, is out with a right-calf strain.

Long signed a partially guaranteed deal with the Sixers on July 7. The team waived him on Oct. 24, the final day of the preseason. However, they held his D-League right. That's why he played for the Sevens.

"Basketball wise I think I've come a long way through the development league," the 6-foot-9, 255-pounder said. "I think the biggest thing is just respecting the grind. Anybody that makes it through that you have to respect it. It's a tough grind with the travel.

"So it's the biggest thing I grab from it."

Long said he's adjusted to the physicality of the pro game since being waived by the Sixers.

That's a good thing, because there appears to valuable minutes for him to get with the Sixers. In addition to the four sidelined players, Jahlil Okafor (right knee soreness) is doubtful for Monday night's game.

"In Delaware I played a lot of minutes, luckily," Long said. "It was a good situation for me. Coming up here, I look to rebound the ball hard and do whatever coach asks me to do."

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.