The Sixers kept things relatively quiet at this year’s trade deadline, opting for flexibility and future assets over splashy moves. While fans might’ve hoped for a more aggressive push to bolster the current roster, the front office played the long game - and there’s a method to the patience.
Let’s break it down.
The Moves: Clearing Space, Adding Picks
Philadelphia made two key trades:
- Jared McCain, the promising second-year guard, was sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for draft capital.
- Eric Gordon, the veteran sharpshooter, was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in a move that was largely about clearing salary.
Neither move shakes the foundation of this season’s team, but both serve a purpose. The Sixers are now under the luxury tax - not a game-changer in the short term, but it gives them more flexibility moving forward, especially when it comes to avoiding repeater penalties and opening up spending options down the line.
They also rewarded Dominick Barlow for his strong play, converting his deal to a standard contract. That’s a smart internal move - Barlow has shown enough to earn a longer look, and this gives him a real shot to carve out a role in the rotation.
What They Got Back
Here’s what came in the door:
- 2026 first-round pick (via Houston)
- 2027 second-round pick (most favorable among OKC, HOU, IND, MIA)
- 2028 second-round picks from both OKC and Milwaukee
- Draft rights to Justinian Jessup
- 10-day contracts for Charles Bassey and **Patrick Baldwin Jr. **
Again, not headline-grabbing, but this is the kind of asset accumulation that gives a front office options. Picks can be used in future trades or to restock the roster with young talent on affordable deals - a crucial piece of team-building in the modern NBA.
Who’s Out
- Jared McCain
- Eric Gordon
- 2032 second-round pick swap
McCain is the most significant departure here. He’s young, talented, and had shown flashes, but the Sixers clearly saw more value in the pick they got back - and perhaps more importantly, in the financial flexibility that came with the move.
The Roster, Post-Deadline
Here’s how the full roster looks now:
- Guards/Wings: Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, Kyle Lowry, Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr., VJ Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Patrick Baldwin (10-day), MarJon Beauchamp (two-way)
- Bigs: Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond, Dominick Barlow, Trendon Watford, Adem Bona, Johni Broome, Charles Bassey (10-day), Jabari Walker (two-way)
It’s a roster with top-end talent in Embiid, Maxey, and George, but also a lot of youth and depth pieces still trying to find their footing. The hope is that some of the younger names - Edgecombe, Edwards, Grimes, maybe even Baldwin or Bassey - can develop into reliable contributors.
Draft Capital: Quietly Stacking Up
Here’s where the Sixers’ war chest of picks stands after the dust settled:
First-Round Picks:
- 2026 (own, protected 1-4)
- 2026 (via Houston)
- 2027 (own)
- 2028 (own, with protections)
- 2028 (via Clippers, unprotected)
- 2029 (own, with swap rights to LAC)
- 2030, 2031, 2032 (own)
Second-Round Picks:
- Multiple picks in 2027 and 2028 from various teams (GSW, PHX, OKC, MIL, DET)
- Additional picks in 2029 through 2032, including favorable swaps and protections
This is where Daryl Morey and his front office are clearly focused - setting up the Sixers to be players in future trade markets. Whether it’s chasing a disgruntled star or moving up in a draft, this kind of draft equity matters. It gives them the ammo to make big moves when the time is right.
The Bigger Picture
No, this deadline didn’t bring in a difference-maker for the stretch run. And no, it doesn’t necessarily move the needle in the Eastern Conference this season. But this was a calculated play for flexibility - both financial and strategic.
The Sixers are threading a tricky needle: trying to stay competitive around their current core while also preparing for a future that could look very different. They’ve got a young star in Maxey, a generational big in Embiid, and a rising rookie in Edgecombe. Add in a stockpile of draft picks and some cap room, and they’re in position to pivot quickly if the right opportunity comes along.
What’s Next?
With the trade deadline behind us, attention now turns to the buyout market. The Sixers could still add a veteran piece or two, especially with some open roster spots and a bit of cap flexibility. Keep an eye on experienced wings or backup guards who could help stabilize the second unit.
Bottom line: this wasn’t the kind of deadline that grabs headlines, but it was a smart, forward-thinking set of moves that keeps the Sixers nimble. In a league where windows open and close fast, that kind of flexibility could be the key to their next big leap.