Is It a Do or Die Season for This 23-Year-Old Shooting Guard?
There’s a reason why the NBA has a 15-man active roster during the season. It’s not only to give the players a break, but also as a backup, in case things go awry. For Sixers fans, however, gone awry is not enough to describe the 2024-25 season. The season was abysmal and downright cursed for fans, players, and coaches alike. The major injuries to key players such as Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey left the team in disarray. It didn’t end there as a torn meniscus left Rookie of the Year candidate, Jared McCain, sidelined for the remainder of the season. These major injuries have left the Sixers in do-or-die mode. Facing the decision to shut everybody down seemed like the only plausible choice. It just seemed like no one could stay healthy except for these players: Ricky Council IV and Guerschon Yabusele, who both played over 70 games.
Out of the two players, only Council IV is under the Sixers' contract. Yabusele will play for the New York Knicks as he signed a two-year, $12 million contract in free agency. While the Sixers hold a team option on Council for the 2026-27 season, they can still waive Council IV at any time before 2026. Until then, He will have to prove that he is needed on the roster. With guys like McCain and Eric Gordon coming back, VJ Edgecombe being drafted, and Hunter Sallis signed to a two-way deal, with a possibility to be signed to a real deal. It shows just how far down the bench Council IV could end up this season. There is no doubt that he needs to be in do-or-die mode.
For reference, Council IV averaged around seven points, three rebounds, and an assist per game during the 2024-25 season. His field goal and three-point percentage left much to be desired, going 38.2% from the field and 25.8% from beyond the arc. Remember, this is just a cumulative stat for his entire season. If we dig deeper, we can see that Council IV was reliable in some games. In March, he scored 174 points. Out of that total, 67 points came from a five-game streak of double-digit scoring, where he shot 40% from the field. Rebounding was an issue for the Sixers last season, but Council IV showed his skill in securing the boards. Securing three double-doubles of points and rebounds during that season, and two of those coincidentally happening in March. That do-or-die mode, that desperation, that drive to help the Sixers try to win, has made him a valuable player for that reason. Being that guy they can look to when things get rough.
Now, Council IV is still considered young in the league. He’s only 23, with his 24th birthday coming very soon, in less than a month. This season is do or die for him because he’s closing in on the age where he’s not valuable anymore for having potential. This season needs to be his best performance to stay on the Sixers roster. This needs to be his time to lock in, to be in do-or-die mode for the season.