Sixers adding Bucks' Ivey
The recent talk surrounding the 76ers has involved the futures of guards Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams, who are restricted free agents.Yesterday that talk was put on hold - for at least a day - as the Sixers reached an agreement with free-agent guard Royal Ivey.
The 6-foot-4 player from the University of Texas was Atlanta's second-round pick, the 37th overall, in 2004. He played three seasons with the Hawks before playing last season - his most productive - with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 5.6 points, 2.1 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 19.2 minutes.
He and the 76ers agreed on a multiyear, minimum-salary contract believed to include significant guaranteed money. The minimum salary for a player with four years in the NBA is $854,957.
Last season, Ivey made $770,610.
His agent, Keith Glass, said he had met with the Sixers during last week's NBA Summer League competition in Las Vegas. The two parties, Glass said, spent three or four days in negotiations.
Ivey had offers from three other NBA teams, but settled on the 76ers because he felt they presented the best opportunity for success, Glass said.
"He's been promised nothing," Glass said. "He likes that. Everything is fair and even, and he'll earn it on the court."
Ivey is known for his defense, and will most likely see time behind Williams. He played 75 games last season, starting 20.
Ivey is a career 33.1-percent three-point shooter, but averaged 40.0 percent from beyond the arc in 2005-06.
"He's known as a lockdown defender because he can guard two spots," Glass said. "He's tough, and he's starting to knock down threes, too."
Glass said Ivey would have remained in Milwaukee if not for coaching and management changes.
Playing both guard positions, Ivey was a four-year starter at Texas, going to four NCAA tournaments and one Final Four. He finished his college career with 1,036 points, which ranks 24th on the Longhorns' all-time list.
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