Ricky Council IV waived by the Sixers

Ricky Council IV is no longer a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

What started as one of Daryl Morey’s more intriguing undrafted success stories now ends with… well, basically nothing to show for it. Ricky Council IV was officially waived, trimming the Sixers’ roster to 13 players with Quentin Grimes’ restricted free agency still unresolved.

Ricky Council IV waived by the Sixers

we have waived Ricky Council IV.

full release: https://t.co/dnjU2tBdTD

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 25, 2025

It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially for fans who bought into Council IV’s upside but in reality, that was wishful thinking from the jump.

Sure, Ricky Council IV flashed freak athleticism, moments of chaotic brilliance, along with a few highlight reel dunks but all of that was pretty irrelevant when it’s a Tuesday night game in December against the Charlotte Hornets.

Ricky Council IV with a reverse slam dunk! pic.twitter.com/3ifOY3YNzr

— Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) January 29, 2025

Council IV, who went undrafted out of Arkansas in 2023, quickly earned his way onto the Sixers’ radar. He flashed real potential in the G-League and made the most of his NBA minutes as a rookie. That earned him a four-year, $7.4 million contract.

At the time, it was a calculated gamble by Daryl Morey and the Sixers’ front office. When we arrived at year 2, Slick Rick was overexposed and the truth came to light.

Despite appearing in more games than any Sixer last season, Council averaged just 7.3 points on brutal efficiency. Slick Rick shot 38.5% from the field and 25.8% from three. To put that in perspective, that field goal percentage ranked 478th out of 558 NBA players who attempted a shot.

Worse, that signature explosive athleticism didn’t scale well in a more limited, structured role. Council seemed unsure of himself, especially when given more responsibility amid the injury carousel that was the 2024-25 Sixers season.

To be fair, the Sixers did right by him. His contract for this season wasn’t fully guaranteed until January, but Morey let him walk now to give Council a better shot at catching on elsewhere before training camps ramp up. It’s a respectable move from a front office that’s been largely pragmatic this summer.

Are Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon better options for the Sixers?

I certainly have my doubts and if you’re frustrated that the Sixers chose to keep 36-year-old Eric Gordon and 39-year-old Kyle Lowry instead of a young athlete like Council, I can definitely understand that.

Gordon was basically guaranteed to return once he opted out and re-signed at the vet minimum, a back-scratching agreement that lowered his cap hit while giving the Sixers a little flexibility.

Gordon also spent time this summer playing with top draft pick VJ Edgecombe on the Bahamas national team, which helped his case.

Lowry is a bit murkier. He had every intention of calling it a career after last season until the Sixers fell apart midseason and convinced him to stick it out. He’ll basically serve as a player-coach this year and probably be a guy who might see five minutes a night in December but will have a front-row seat with a clipboard in April.

The Ricky Council IV Game

The “Ricky Council Game” against the Washington Wizards two seasons ago won’t be forgotten:

19 points (8 in 4Q)
10 rebounds
7/13 FG | 5/8 3PT
29 minutes played

One of four career games with 18+ points.
pic.twitter.com/4yUo5s3Deh

— Philly Sixers Galaxy (@sixers_galaxy) July 25, 2025

The Market is Dying and Quentin Grimes is all that’s left

With Council gone, the Sixers have one open roster spot and Quentin Grimes still lingering as a restricted free agent. There’s virtually no market left to pressure Philly into overpaying, a situation mirrored by players like Cam Thomas, Jonathan Kuminga, and Josh Giddey on other teams.

Expect the Sixers and Grimes to keep negotiating until something gives. One way or another, he’ll likely be back in uniform next season.

As for the final spot, Morey likes to keep one in his back pocket. Flexibility, two-for-one trades, or simply seeing what minimum guy might pop, it’s how Paul Reed and Charles Bassey got their starts. If an injury happens, expect a vet or G-League standout to get a call.

This League is unforgiving. If you can’t shoot, can’t defend multiple positions, and can’t carve out a consistent role, it doesn’t matter how many tomahawks you throw down. The margins are razor thin. In the end, the Ricky Council IV experiment didn’t pan out but props to the Sixers for taking the swing.

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