Henderson waived to make room in crowded backcourt

CAMDEN, N.J. » On cue, and to little surprise, the 76ers saved $8 million Friday by waiving Gerald Henderson.

The wing guard from Duke by way of Episcopal Academy had signed a twoyear, $18 million contract with the Sixers last offseason. The Sixers had until Friday to guarantee that for 2017-2018 at a cost of $9 million. They took the $1 million buy-out option instead, and released Henderson, who started 41 games despite routinely battling a sore hip.

“We want to thank Gerald for being the consummate pro that he is, and for adding so much to our growing basketball program and culture,” said Sixers basketballoperations president Bryan Colangelo. “Gerald’s professionalism, leadership and basketball contributions were a big part of our organization’s development this past year.”

In his one season with the Sixers, Henderson averaged 9.2 points and 1.6 assists while shooting 35.3 percent from three-point range. Previously, he had played for Charlotte and Portland.

Henderson, 29, is a career 11.2-point scorer. But despite his contributions on the perimeter and his veteran presence, the Sixers’ backcourt was being squeezed with the additions of Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz and the expected return of Jerryd Bayless, who played just three games last season due to a hand injury. Also, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot had begun to take much of Henderson’s playing time late last season.