The Sixers are making a subtle but strategic move ahead of the trade deadline, sending veteran guard Eric Gordon to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal that’s more about roster flexibility than on-court production.
Along with Gordon, Philadelphia is including a 2032 second-round pick swap in the deal. In return, the Sixers will receive the draft rights to Justinian Jessup - a 27-year-old guard who was selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft and is currently playing overseas with Bayern Munich. Jessup’s rights are more of a formality in this transaction; the real value for Philly lies in what this deal opens up.
By moving Gordon, the Sixers clear a roster spot - and that’s key. It paves the way for the team to convert two-way forward Dominick Barlow to a standard NBA contract.
Barlow has quietly become a rotation regular this season, starting 33 of 40 games and putting up career-best numbers: 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in 24 minutes per game. He’s nearing the end of his two-way eligibility, with just 10 games left before he hits the limit.
If the Sixers want him available for the playoffs - and all signs suggest they do - this roster spot becomes essential.
As for Gordon, 37, he’s played sparingly this season, appearing in just six games and serving primarily as a veteran voice in the locker room. His $3.6 million expiring contract carries a manageable $2.3 million cap hit, which Memphis can easily absorb. For the Grizzlies, this is a low-risk addition of a seasoned presence, though the move is more about cap mechanics and roster shuffling than any expectation of on-court impact.
To finalize the deal, Memphis - which currently has a full roster - plans to waive Georges Niang. Niang had just arrived from Utah earlier in the week and is on an $8.2 million expiring deal. His stint in Memphis will be brief, but his departure is necessary to make the numbers work.
All in all, this is a clean bit of business for Philadelphia. They free up a spot, position themselves to lock in a productive young forward for the stretch run, and do it without giving up any significant assets. It’s the kind of under-the-radar move that doesn’t make headlines, but could pay dividends come playoff time.