The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t make the splash many fans were hoping for at the trade deadline, but they did make a move that speaks volumes about their belief in one of their own. Forward Dominick Barlow, who started the season on a two-way contract, has officially been signed to a standard deal for the rest of the year. And if you’ve been watching him closely, this isn’t just a feel-good story - it’s a well-earned promotion.
Barlow’s path to the NBA wasn’t exactly traditional. Coming out of high school as a four-star recruit, he bypassed college and instead joined Overtime Elite - a newer professional route designed to prep young talent for the league. From there, he landed with the San Antonio Spurs as an undrafted rookie, spent two seasons developing in their system, had a short stint with the Atlanta Hawks, and eventually signed a two-way deal with the Sixers this past offseason.
Since arriving in Philly, Barlow has done more than just fill minutes - he’s carved out a legitimate role. He’s appeared in 42 of the team’s 53 games, starting 33 of them and averaging 24.0 minutes a night.
For a player on a two-way deal, that’s significant usage, and he’s made the most of it. Barlow is putting up 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting a strong 55.6% from the floor.
That kind of efficiency, especially for a young forward still finding his footing, is no small feat.
His breakout moment came on January 31 against the New Orleans Pelicans, when he posted a career-high 26 points and pulled down 16 rebounds - 10 of them on the offensive glass. That’s not just a good night; that’s a statement game. It showed what Barlow can bring when given the opportunity: energy, effort, and a nose for the ball that you just can’t teach.
Defensively, his size and length have made him a valuable piece. He’s averaging 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, and while those numbers don’t leap off the page, they reflect his ability to make plays on that end - whether it’s disrupting passing lanes or providing weak-side help.
Now, let’s talk shooting. Barlow isn’t lighting it up from deep - he’s hitting just 27.9% from three - but he’s not afraid to let it fly when left open.
He’s knocked down 17 threes this season, which, fun fact, puts him fourth all-time among Sixers players wearing No. 25 in made threes since 2000. That’s more trivia than trend, but it speaks to his willingness to evolve and stretch the floor when needed.
What’s really earned Barlow this standard contract, though, is his motor. He plays hard, crashes the boards, defends, and brings a level of grit that coaches love and teammates feed off of.
The fact that he’s done all this on a two-way deal makes it even more impressive. This is exactly the kind of under-the-radar development success that teams hope for when they invest in two-way players.
Now that Barlow is officially on the standard roster, the Sixers can breathe a little easier when it comes to his availability. More importantly, they’ve got a young, hungry forward who’s already proven he can contribute - and he’s just getting started.