Philadelphia 76ers sign Saben Lee to 2-way contract

Saben Lee is plucked by the Philadelphia 76ers for his excellent play to this point.

The Raptors 905, as happens every G-League season, have had another player promoted a new bigger role elsewhere. This is entirely a win for the franchise, as it piles up success after success, even as it sets the team back in the short term in terms of its actual product on the court.

Lee had started in all seven games for the Raptors 905 and was shooting almost 70 percent from 2-point range. He is a speedy guard who excels at forcing steals and finishing in transition. His per-game averages so far on the season are an incredible 21.7 points, 6.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks. He’s been cold shooting from deep but has a history of success there previously in the G League.

Lee has experience in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons, playing in 85 games over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. The 76ers will probably press him into duty early on with so many injuries on the roster at the moment. He’ll be a ballhawk and speedster with the ball in his hands — the Sixers had no point guard on the roster outside of Shake Milton when facing the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 23.

Our own Teru Ikeda has had Lee high up on his NBA watch throughout the 905 season to this point. He’s arguably been the 905’s most consistent player this season, leading them in scoring. He’s a relentless attacker and draws a boatload of fouls. Both are skills that should translate at the NBA level, especially as he has so much experience there previously. The 905 will need to shift gears quickly with Lee gone, especially with Jeff Dowtin jr. spending so much time with the big club these days. For now, they’ll be undermanned at the guard spot.

Congratulations to Lee on the promotion.