The Philadelphia 76ers are making a move to bolster their depth, planning to sign forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. to a 10-day contract. It’s a low-risk, high-upside play for a team that’s been navigating roster flexibility and the luxury tax line with precision.
Baldwin, the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has bounced around the league in his young career, suiting up for the Warriors, Wizards, and most recently the Clippers. While he’s yet to carve out a consistent role at the NBA level, he’s shown flashes of promise - and this season in the G League, he’s been putting up numbers that turn heads.
In 25 games with the San Diego Clippers, Baldwin has averaged 21.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He’s shooting an efficient 53% from the field, though his three-point stroke (34%) and free throw percentage (67%) still have room to grow. At 6-foot-9 with a smooth shooting form and a versatile offensive game, Baldwin fits the mold of a modern stretch forward - and at just 23 years old, there’s still plenty of developmental runway.
This signing comes on the heels of Philadelphia’s trade deadline moves, which saw the team send out Jared McCain and Eric Gordon without bringing back any players. That maneuver allowed the Sixers to slide under the luxury tax threshold, pick up future draft assets, and open up two roster spots. One of those is going to Baldwin, while the other is being used to bring back big man Charles Bassey on a second 10-day deal.
The Sixers are also navigating the fine print of two-way contracts. Forward Jabari Walker has reached his 50-game limit, meaning he’s now ineligible to play unless the team converts him to a standard contract.
If that happens - and all signs point to it - Philly would have a full 15-man standard roster. That would give them the flexibility to keep Dominick Barlow on his two-way deal for a bit longer, with 10 more games of eligibility remaining.
It’s a delicate balancing act, but one the Sixers’ front office has managed skillfully. They’ve maximized roster flexibility while keeping an eye on both the present and the future.
Baldwin’s 10-day deal is a chance to evaluate a young, high-upside player without any long-term commitment. If he clicks in Philly’s system - especially with Joel Embiid currently sidelined - Baldwin could carve out a niche as a floor-spacing forward who can contribute in spurts.
And if not? Well, it’s just 10 days. But for Baldwin, it’s an opportunity to prove he belongs - and for the Sixers, it’s another smart move in a season that’s been full of them.