The Philadelphia 76ers stayed active ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, but not in the way fans-and certainly not their franchise centerpiece-were hoping for as the team eyes a deeper playoff run.
Sixers ship out Eric Gordon in low-impact move
One day after sending second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Sixers made another move, trading veteran guard Eric Gordon to the Memphis Grizzlies. In return, Philadelphia received the draft rights to Justinian Jessup and a second-round pick swap in the 2032 NBA Draft.
At 37, Gordon has seen limited action this season-just six games-and has averaged 5.5 points per contest. His role had diminished significantly, and while his veteran presence was valued, the on-court impact just wasn’t there anymore. Gordon spent the last two seasons of his 18-year NBA career with the Sixers, but this move signals a shift toward youth and flexibility rather than a win-now upgrade.
Jessup, meanwhile, is a bit of a mystery box. Drafted 51st overall in 2020, he’s yet to make the jump to the NBA and is currently playing for Bayern Munich in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga. Whether he ever suits up for Philadelphia remains to be seen, but for now, this deal feels more like a roster-clearing maneuver than a move to bolster the playoff push.
Dominick Barlow earns standard contract after breakout stretch
While the trade deadline didn’t bring the blockbuster Sixers fans were hoping for, the team did make a significant internal move by signing forward Dominick Barlow to a standard NBA contract.
Barlow, who had been on a two-way deal, has carved out a real role for himself this season. He’s started 33 of 40 games at power forward and has been a steady contributor, averaging 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds. But it’s not just the numbers-it’s the timing and tone of his performances.
Earlier this week, Barlow delivered a career night against the Clippers, dropping 26 points and grabbing 16 boards in a 128-113 win. That kind of production doesn’t just earn you a spot on the standard roster-it earns trust from the coaching staff and teammates alike. For a team looking for stability in its frontcourt, Barlow’s emergence is a welcomed development.
Short-term depth adds: Bassey and Baldwin Jr. sign 10-day deals
Philadelphia also added a pair of players on 10-day contracts: center Charles Bassey and forward Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Bassey’s signing marks his second 10-day stint with the Sixers. Originally drafted by the team with the 53rd pick in 2021, Bassey has been a familiar face around the organization. While he’s not expected to log heavy minutes, his familiarity with the system gives the Sixers a plug-and-play option in the frontcourt if needed.
Baldwin Jr., meanwhile, comes in with some momentum. He’s been lighting it up in the G League with the San Diego Clippers, averaging 21.6 points per game while shooting an impressive 53.2% from the field.
The Sixers are hoping that hot hand can translate, even in limited minutes. Baldwin brings length, scoring touch, and the kind of upside that makes a 10-day flyer worth the look.
Big picture: Still waiting on the big swing
The Sixers’ recent moves signal a team that’s staying flexible, but they haven’t yet made the kind of splash that shifts the Eastern Conference landscape. With Joel Embiid anchoring the roster and the postseason looming, there’s still a sense that Philadelphia needs one more significant piece to truly contend.
For now, they’ve added depth, rewarded internal development, and opened up some optionality for the future. But whether that’s enough to make noise in the playoffs? That’s still an open question.