Former Philadelphia 76ers draft selection Johni Broome has found a new NBA opportunity, agreeing to a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The deal gives the 2025 second-round pick another chance to establish himself in the league after a rookie season that saw him traded and waived.
The 76ers selected Broome with the 35th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a move that surprised many observers. He arrived with a strong college resume as the SEC Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. His transition to the professional game proved difficult, however. Broome appeared in just 11 games for Philadelphia, averaging 1.5 rebounds in roughly five minutes per contest. He shot only 16.7% from the field during that limited NBA action.
His performance in the G League told a different story. With the Delaware Blue Coats, Broome played 18 games and looked far more comfortable. He put up 22.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Before his second season began, the Sixers traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers waived him months later, and he subsequently joined the Milwaukee Bucks' G League affiliate before Minnesota's offer arrived.
Philadelphia's front office, then led by President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, made the unexpected draft night choice. But Broome's struggle to find a role in the NBA rotation made him expendable as the team shaped its roster. The 76ers had used their top pick that year on VJ Edgecombe, and Broome couldn't carve out a consistent spot behind the team's established big men. His G League production showed potential, but the NBA fit wasn't there during his brief time with the franchise. Trading him allowed Philadelphia to address other roster needs.
For Minnesota, this is a low-risk, high-reward addition. A two-way deal allows Broome to split time between the NBA club and its G League team, the Iowa Wolves. It gives him a structured environment to develop without immediate pressure. The Timberwolves can evaluate if his prolific G League scoring and rebounding can eventually translate with more seasoning. For Broome, it's a critical fresh start. He gets to join a new organization and coaching staff willing to invest in his growth, something every young player needs after early career turbulence.
The 76ers' focus is squarely on the present season. The team holds a 3-2 record in its last five games, a stretch that includes a 127-121 road win over the Chicago Bulls on November 8 but also a 101-123 loss to the Boston Celtics on November 10. They will look to bounce back immediately in their next game at home against the Toronto Raptors on November 12. Player development is always an ongoing process, and the front office continues to scout for talent that can help both now and in the future.
