The 76ers have another roster decision coming, and this one looks a lot clearer than the last.
After adding the 41-year-old superstar forward LeBron James over the weekend and clearing space by cutting Dalen Terry, Philadelphia is expected to bring in another veteran soon: former Memphis Grizzlies wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope agreed to a buyout with Memphis, and once he gets through waivers, he’s expected to land with the Sixers on the veteran’s minimum.
That creates the next problem. Philadelphia will need to open a spot, and the first name that naturally comes up is Jabari Walker.
His contract runs through 2027, and he’s due $2.5 million for the 2026-2027 season, though only $250,000 is guaranteed before January 10. If the Sixers move on from him soon, they won’t be on the hook for the full amount.
But there’s another path worth considering, and it leads to Johni Broome.
The second-year center is guaranteed $2.1 million for the 2026-2027 season, which makes him tougher to move. Even so, the Sixers appear to be exploring that route. Keith Smith of Spotrac reported that Philadelphia is trying to find a trade partner for Broome, and if that doesn’t work, waive-and-stretch remains on the table.
If the choice really comes down to Walker or Broome, the case for Walker is the stronger one.
The Sixers converted Walker’s two-way deal into a standard contract for a reason. They saw something in the 23-year-old forward, and he gave them enough to justify that belief. He played in 64 games, averaging 11.9 minutes, 4.3 points, and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 45.5% from the field.
Broome’s first look with Philadelphia was much less convincing. Before a season-ending injury, he appeared in 11 games and logged just 5.0 minutes per night. He shot 16.7% and averaged 1.5 rebounds.
That doesn’t mean Broome’s NBA story is over. Development takes time.
But the Sixers are in a different place right now, and they need dependable pieces more than long-term projects. Walker is younger than Broome, but he also brings more experience.
Before joining Philadelphia, Walker spent three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. Across 188 games, he averaged 6.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 steal per game while shooting 46.5% from the field.
If the Sixers are weighing the two against each other, Walker is the cleaner answer.
In Other News...
Jason Williams Just Hit The Sixers With A Brutal Reality Check
Jason Williams is not buying the early optimism around the 76ers, at least not when it comes to the 2026-27 Eastern Conference race. The former NBA guard pointed to Philadelphias defense and rebounding as the biggest reasons for skepticism, even after the teams offseason additions, and he framed those concerns as the sort of issues that can keep a talented roster from actually separating itself from the pack.
Williams went a step further by putting the Knicks, Heat and Magic ahead of Philadelphia in his view of the conference pecking order. It is a blunt reminder that the 76ers still have to prove the fit works on the floor, especially with the expectations around the roster only getting louder after LeBron James reportedly chose Philadelphia because he believes it gives him the best chance to win. [Read more 🡒]
Joel Embiid Just Gave 76ers Fans The Update They Needed
Joel Embiids health has been the defining question around the 76ers for years, and this latest update at least gives the team a cleaner runway into the new season. President of basketball operations Mike Gansey confirmed that Embiid has said he is healthy, a welcome sign for a star whose recent past has included knee issues, Bells palsy and an emergency appendectomy, all of which have cut into his availability.
Philadelphia is still approaching the situation with realism, not wishful thinking. The expectation is for Embiid to be ready for training camp and, more importantly, to be in position to matter when the games get bigger in the spring, even if the Sixers are not banking on a full 82-game workload. For a team built around his presence, the update matters less as a guarantee than as a first step toward the kind of season they have been trying to get to for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Face A Familiar Frontcourt Debate With One Move Left
The Sixers still have a little maneuvering room after moving Johni Broome, and the front office is weighing how best to use that final spot. It is the kind of late-roster decision that can look minor in August and matter plenty once the season starts, especially for a team that has spent plenty of time sorting out its frontcourt depth.
One name in the mix brings both experience and a clear basketball fit. Kevin Love spent last season with the Jazz, where he served as a veteran voice on a young team, and his recent production showed he can still give a club useful minutes as a rebounder and outside threat. For Philadelphia, the appeal is obvious: a seasoned big who can help steady the rotation while adding some shooting and presence inside. [Read more 🡒]