The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t make a splashy trade ahead of Thursday’s deadline, but they weren’t exactly quiet either. In the final hour before the buzzer, the Sixers moved to bolster their depth by signing center Charles Bassey to a second 10-day contract and bringing in forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. on a separate 10-day deal.
Let’s start with Bassey. The 25-year-old didn’t log any NBA minutes during his first stint, but he made the most of his time in the G League with the Delaware Blue Coats.
In two appearances, he was a force-dropping 24 points and grabbing 19 rebounds in one game, then following that up with a 20-point, 14-rebound performance. That kind of production shows he’s staying ready, and the Sixers clearly saw enough to give him another look.
Baldwin, meanwhile, is a bit more of a known quantity at the NBA level. The 23-year-old forward was the 28th overall pick in the 2022 draft by Golden State and has appeared in 95 NBA games since then.
His time on the floor has been limited-just 8.8 minutes per game-but he’s shown flashes of scoring ability. Most recently, he was with the Clippers on a 10-day deal and has been putting up strong numbers in the G League, averaging 21.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game for the San Diego Clippers.
That’s the kind of output that earns you another shot at the big stage.
The Sixers still have Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker on two-way contracts, and while it’s unclear what their long-term status will be, Philadelphia has clearly positioned itself to be active in the buyout market. After moving Jared McCain and Eric Gordon at the deadline, the team now has open roster spots to work with-flexibility that could prove crucial down the stretch.
And if history is any indication, Daryl Morey isn’t done yet. Since taking over as president of basketball operations, he’s consistently added veteran pieces midseason to round out the roster.
That list includes Anthony Tolliver (who started out on a 10-day), DeAndre Jordan, Dewayne Dedmon, Kyle Lowry, and Lonnie Walker IV. It’s a pattern that reflects Morey’s approach: find plug-and-play talent that can help in the margins, especially as the postseason nears.
So while the Sixers didn’t make a blockbuster move at the deadline, the front office is clearly staying active. Bassey and Baldwin may not be headline-grabbers, but they’re low-risk, high-upside additions-especially for a team looking to stay competitive in a crowded Eastern Conference. With the buyout market heating up and roster spots available, don’t be surprised if Morey has another move or two up his sleeve.