Dominick Barlow Breaks Out as Sixers Handle Clippers Amid Harden Trade Rumors
There’s something about the Sixers and seismic trade news that just seems to go hand in hand lately. Last season, it was Jimmy Butler being dealt while the Heat were in town.
Just last month, word of Trae Young’s move to Washington dropped minutes after Philly took down the Wizards. And now, as the Sixers rolled to a 128-113 win over the Clippers in Los Angeles, reports surfaced that James Harden - out for the second straight game due to personal reasons - is working with the Clippers on a trade.
But let’s park the trade talk for a moment, because what happened on the floor Monday night was every bit as headline-worthy - especially for one Dominick Barlow.
Barlow’s Breakout: A Star-Making Performance
Tyrese Maxey had his usual flamethrower moments from deep, Joel Embiid found his rhythm after a slow start, and the Sixers as a whole brought the kind of energy you want to see at the start of a long road trip. But the night belonged to Barlow.
From the opening tip, the 22-year-old big man was relentless. Facing off against a Clippers frontcourt that may have been shorthanded but still featured the athletic John Collins, Barlow didn’t just hold his own - he dominated. He was flying in for offensive rebounds, finishing through contact, and playing with the kind of motor that coaches dream about.
He had four offensive boards in the opening minutes alone, setting the tone for a night where he’d end up with 10 offensive rebounds and 16 total. That’s not just effort - that’s impact.
And it wasn’t empty numbers either. Barlow’s second-chance efforts led directly to scoring opportunities, helping the Sixers keep the Clippers at bay every time they tried to make a run.
By halftime, Barlow had already stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, eight rebounds (five of them offensive), a block, two steals, and an assist - all without forcing the issue. That’s been the beauty of Barlow’s game this season.
He knows who he is, plays within himself, and maximizes the tools he has. He’s not trying to be Embiid or Maxey.
He’s just trying to win his minutes. And on Monday, he won them in emphatic fashion.
Then came the third quarter, and if you thought Barlow might slow down, think again. He added another four offensive boards, cracked the 20-point mark, and kept the Sixers humming even as the Clippers made their inevitable push.
And just when you thought his night couldn’t get any better, he grabbed his 10th offensive rebound, finished an and-one to set a new career-high, and then buried a corner three. Final line: 26 points, 16 rebounds, and a whole lot of reasons for the Sixers to be excited about his future.
A Two-Way Steal?
Barlow’s been one of the most productive players in the NBA this season on a two-way contract, and it’s becoming harder and harder to justify keeping him on that limited deal. Head coach Nick Nurse has leaned on him whenever he’s been healthy, and Barlow has delivered. With Jabari Walker also playing key minutes all year, the Sixers’ development pipeline is looking like a real asset - something that hasn’t always been the case in recent years.
The Harden-Garland Rumblings: What It Means for Philly
Now, back to the news off the court. As the Sixers were cruising past the Clippers, word broke that Harden and the Clippers are working on a potential trade - with Cavaliers guard Darius Garland emerging as a possible return piece for L.A.
Here’s why that matters for Philly: thanks to the Harden trade earlier this season, the Sixers own the Clippers’ unprotected 2028 first-round pick and hold swap rights (top-three protected) for 2029. So any move the Clippers make that affects their long-term outlook is going to have ripple effects in Philadelphia.
Swapping Harden - who’s on an expiring deal - for Garland, a 24-year-old offensive weapon under long-term contract, would be a clear upgrade for the Clippers. Garland’s had injury issues, but when healthy, he’s one of the most creative scoring guards in the league. And unlike Harden, he’s not a flight risk this summer.
The downside for Philly? If Garland helps stabilize the Clippers’ future, those draft assets the Sixers are banking on could lose some value.
Garland is set to make nearly $45 million in 2027-28, which would eat into the cap space L.A. was reportedly saving for a big swing in the summer of 2027. But even with that salary on the books, the Clippers could still have room to chase another star - and that’s where things get tricky.
For the Sixers to cash in big on those picks, the Clippers need to stumble. A Garland-led core could keep them competitive enough to avoid a total collapse, especially if they land another major name in free agency. It’s a delicate balance - and one Philly will be monitoring closely.
Quick Hits
- Quentin Grimes delivered one of the highlights of the night with a thunderous poster dunk on John Collins. The Sixers bench reaction said it all - pure chaos.
- Jared McCain has had a relatively quiet role in the offense, especially considering his shooting ability. But his movement off the ball led to a clean look and a smooth three-pointer in this one - something the Sixers would be wise to tap into more often.
What’s Next
The Sixers continue their five-game road trip with momentum on their side and a frontcourt revelation in Barlow giving them a fresh spark. Whether or not the Harden trade materializes, Philly has shown it can win without him - and that its young pieces are ready for the spotlight.