NBA

• Sixers bring back Ratliff

  
  

  Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia 76ers have signed free agent center Theo Ratliff.

  Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but a report Tuesday in the Philadelphia Daily News said the 35-year-old Ratliff has accepted a one-year deal for the league minimum of $1.4 million.

  "We are very fortunate to sign a player of Theo's caliber," Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski said. "He is a consummate professional who will provide us with additional depth in the front court." A 13-year veteran, Ratliff played for the Sixers from mid-December of 1997 through late February of 2001.

  Ratliff has also played for Atlanta, Detroit, Portland, Boston and Minnesota. In 705 NBA games, including 504 starts, he has averaged 7.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.63 blocks.

  After being traded from Boston to Minnesota as part of the Kevin Garnett deal, Ratliff was waived by the Timberwolves on February 29 and signed with Detroit. He appeared in just 26 games last season and averaged 4.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.46 blocks.

  Ratliff is one of seven players in NBA history to lead the league in blocks at least three seasons and is 18th all-time in league annals with 1,855 total blocked shots.

  08/20 15:31:18 ET