The Philadelphia 76ers might be sitting comfortably in the top six of the Eastern Conference with a 29-22 record, but they made a surprising pivot at the trade deadline - one that signals a longer-term vision rather than a full-speed-ahead playoff push. The Sixers moved second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and three future second-rounders. That’s not the kind of deadline deal you expect from a team firmly in the playoff mix - but for Daryl Morey and the Sixers’ front office, the move was less about waving a white flag and more about playing the long game.
Morey: “We Were Trying to Add”
Speaking to reporters after the deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey made it clear: the team wasn’t looking to sell. In fact, they were actively trying to do the opposite.
“Because we’re playing well, we were trying to upgrade the team and add to the team now. That was goal number one,” Morey said.
The front office made the McCain deal early in the week, hoping to flip those newly acquired picks into immediate help. “The picks we got were offered to many teams,” Morey explained.
“Nothing materialized for a player that we thought could move the needle.”
Translation: the Sixers were shopping those draft assets hard, but the market didn’t yield a win-now player they felt was worth the price. So instead of forcing a move, they held firm - and walked away with a package they believe will benefit them down the road.
Selling High on McCain
McCain, who burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2024-25, has had a tough go of it health-wise. A season-ending knee surgery derailed his promising first year, and a thumb procedure delayed his return this season. Still, the Thunder saw enough in him to offer a significant package - one Morey felt he couldn’t pass up.
“I am quite confident we were selling high,” Morey said. “We weren’t looking to sell… Teams came to us with aggressive offers for him.” And while the Sixers weren’t actively shopping McCain, the return - a first-rounder in what’s expected to be a loaded 2026 draft plus three second-round picks - was too strong to ignore.
“That return is for a starter-quality player on a good team,” Morey added. “It’s actually above that.”
It’s a classic Morey move - betting on long-term value, even when the short-term optics might raise eyebrows. McCain may very well become a star, but the Sixers are banking on those picks becoming either key pieces or trade chips that help them build a more complete roster around their core.
Draft Flexibility and Future Moves
While the 2026 first-rounder is certainly appealing, Morey emphasized that the Sixers aren’t necessarily tied to using it in that draft.
“We’re not necessarily using the pick in this draft,” he said. “It could be used for moves around the draft.”
The three second-rounders acquired alongside it? Also viewed as potential tools to move up or maneuver on draft night.
This is where Morey’s experience comes into play. He’s done this before - stockpiling assets, then flipping them when the right player becomes available. It’s a strategy that requires patience and timing, but when it works, it can reshape a franchise in a hurry.
Luxury Tax Talk and Buyout Market Plans
Once again, the Sixers avoided dipping into the luxury tax at the deadline - a move that’s drawn some criticism from fans and media. Morey addressed that head-on.
“I understand the perception,” he said. “I’d hoped to defeat it by finding a deal that I can go to ownership and say, ‘We think this move is the right move to do for that and create the apron issues that it would create.’ But I haven’t been able to recommend that move yet.”
In other words, ownership hasn’t been unwilling to spend - Morey just hasn’t found the right deal to justify the financial hit. That could change, especially as the buyout market heats up.
“We’re in the mix,” Morey said when asked about potential buyout additions. “We’ve had a lot of conversations already.”
The Sixers are looking to add the best player available, with a guard and a wing being areas of focus. They’re not guaranteed to land their top target - competition will be fierce - but they’re in the conversation.
Roster Moves: Barlow Promoted, Walker Waiting
The Sixers currently have a full 15-man roster, though two of those spots are held by players on 10-day contracts. One of the bigger moves ahead of the deadline was the promotion of Dominick Barlow from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract. He was signed using a portion of the team’s taxpayer mid-level exception and will earn $3.4 million for the rest of this season, with a team option for 2026-27 at the same number.
Morey said the team would’ve preferred a longer-term deal with Barlow but isn’t ruling out revisiting that conversation this summer.
As for Jabari Walker, who remains on a two-way contract, a promotion is still on the table. But for now, the Sixers are keeping their options open - evaluating talent, managing roster flexibility, and preparing to pounce if the right player shakes loose.
The Big Picture
This deadline wasn’t about fireworks for Philly - it was about positioning. The Sixers didn’t land a big-name reinforcement, but they walked away with valuable assets and preserved flexibility for both the offseason and the buyout market. It’s a calculated approach, one that reflects a front office confident in its long-term vision.
For now, the Sixers will continue to lean on Joel Embiid and the current core to keep them in the thick of the playoff race. But make no mistake - Daryl Morey is playing chess, not checkers. And while this deadline didn’t bring a blockbuster move, the pieces are in place for something bigger down the line.