After being one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA a season ago, the Philadelphia 76ers have been a pleasant surprise in 2025-26. While the 76ers aren’t expected to make any major trades at the NBA trade deadline, they will likely make one or two moves.
76ers Have Options, Expected To Make A Roster Move Soon
Philadelphia sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a 23-19 record. However, the 76ers are just 5-5 in their last 10 following their 116-110 loss to Phoenix on Tuesday. The Sixers were without Paul George and Joel Embiid against the Suns, marking the fifth time that both stars have missed.
Philadelphia is 2-3 in those games when both George and Embiid have sat. In those instances, the 76ers play at a faster pace and become more perimeter-oriented, with Tyrese Maxey becoming the focal point. More significantly, their interior defense and rim protection drop sharply without Embiid.
Comparatively, the 76ers are 13-10 when either George or Embiid played. The Sixers are also 6-2 when George plays, and Embiid sits.
Philadelphia’s biggest weakness is shooting the ball. The 76ers’ biggest issue is their interior scoring — ranking in the bottom third in paint points at 48.2 a game — as they connect on a league-worst 59.5% of their shots at the rim and 52.2% of their two-point shots overall. The Sixers also need to move the ball better.
On the plus side, the 76ers are average to slightly better than average defensively. The 76ers defend the 3-point line extremely well and create turnovers. They also protect the rim well, though fouling and rebounding without Embiid are issues.
While the 76ers could use to add another big man off the bench, health is the biggest swing factor. The Sixers have yet to have their complete starting lineup healthy. However, the Sixers are 12-9 when any combination of Embiid, George, Kelly Oubre, VJ Edgecombe, and Tyrese Maxey plays. Additionally, they are 8-4 when Embiid, Oubr,e and George are in the starting lineup.
76ers To Promote Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker
Philadelphia has one open roster spot. The Sixers are $1 million below the first tax apron and $12 million from the second apron.
So, the 76ers do have the flexibility to make a trade or two. The Sixers will likely not wait until NBA Trade Deadline Day (February 6) to make a move.
Philadelphia is fast approaching the NBA’s “under-15 rule,” according to Luke Adams of Hooprumors. The “under-15 rule” stipulates that a team carrying fewer than 15 players on its standard roster may not have its two-way players active for more than 90 combined games.
The Sixers’ two-way players — Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker, Hunter Sallis, and MarJon Beauchamp — have been active in 85 total games. Therefore, the Sixers only have five games left to play, and likely three after tonight when they face Houston. However, at least one of the two may be inactive as Oubre is available and Embiid is probable. Meanwhile, George is questionable due to injury management.
Speaking of Barlow and Walker, the 76ers are expected to find a way to convert both players’ contracts to standard deals per Marc Stein of The Stein Line. For the Sixers to promote both players, they will have to make a salary-cutting trade or waive someone. Kyle Lowry, Eric Gordon, and Johni Broome are the most likely candidates to be waived.
Philadelphia likely doesn’t want to lose Broome unless they trade him, and Lowry is highly regarded by the organization for his leadership. That would leave Gordon as the oddman out. However, moving Lowry to a full-time coaching position makes the most sense, since he has seen just 45 minutes of playing time in six appearances.
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