The Philadelphia 76ers made another move before the Thursday trade deadline, trading veteran guard Eric Gordon to the Memphis Grizzlies. This Philadelphia 76ers trade move comes a day after the team sent guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of their ongoing roster adjustments ahead of the postseason.
In exchange for Gordon, the Sixers acquired a second-round pick swap for the 2032 NBA draft and the draft rights to Justinian Jessup. Gordon, who is 37 years old, has appeared in only six games this season, contributing an average of 5.5 points. After spending the past two years with Philadelphia, Gordon’s departure marks the end of his tenure with the team. Jessup, the 51st overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, has yet to join the NBA and currently plays for Bayern Munich in the German Basketball Bundesliga.
Dominick Barlow Secures Full NBA Contract with Sixers
Prior to their game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, the Sixers upgraded forward Dominick Barlow from a two-way contract to a standard NBA contract, ensuring his place on the main roster for the rest of the season. Now in his fourth year in the league, Barlow has become a significant contributor, starting 33 out of 40 games at power forward. He is averaging 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Barlow recently impressed with a standout performance, posting a career-high 26 points and 16 rebounds in a 128-113 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. His consistent impact on the floor reflects the team’s confidence in his abilities as they prepare for the final stretch of the season.
Additional Roster Changes as Sixers Sign Two on Short-Term Deals
On the same day, the Sixers also bolstered their squad by signing center Charles Bassey and forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. to 10-day contracts. This marks Bassey’s second short-term contract with Philadelphia; he initially signed one on January 26. The team originally picked Bassey 53rd overall in the 2021 NBA draft.
Baldwin joined the Sixers after playing with the San Diego Clippers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers. During his time there, he averaged 21.6 points per game while shooting an efficient 53.2% from the field. These short contracts offer the Sixers added flexibility and depth as they finalize their roster heading into the playoffs.
These Philadelphia 76ers trade moves and roster adjustments represent a strategic approach to prepare for the postseason by balancing veteran presence and emerging talent. While the Eric Gordon trade may not meet all fans’ expectations for a blockbuster deal, the integration of players like Dominick Barlow and the addition of Baldwin and Bassey help reinforce the team’s depth. Moving forward, how these players perform in the remaining games will be critical for the Sixers as they aim to advance deep into the playoffs.
