Sixers Plan On Being Active On The Buy-Out Market?
It was originally thought that Philadelphia traded Jared McCain and Eric Gordon was to open a pair of roster spots for them to promote Walker and Barlow. Walker has appeared in 45 contests but has been sidelined since February 3. Also, the last time he was a major part of the Sixers rotation was on January 26.
While Walker has been an important member of the 76ers’ bench, he hasn’t been good enough to warrant a standard deal. The 6-8 forward averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 boards with 40.3/27/72.7. He scored in double figures just three times and produced one double-double.
Nevertheless, Walker could still get a standard contract. However, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Sixers want to be active on the buyout market.
“Jabari, for sure,” Morey said a couple of days ago/“Not to reference our [collective bargaining agreement] we all live under, [but] it’s sort of like, you know, annoying … just how it all works, that Jabari can’t play for some games here. He’s obviously been part of our next man up mentality. I think coach [Nick] Nurse has done a good job when we’ve had players in and out, which we’ve had fewer of this year.
“He’s been a tremendous next man up type contributor,” Morey continued about Walker. “We hope to have his services going forward, but we do have to weigh optimal use of our sort of scarce two roster spots, and against the other opportunities as well. So that’ll be written over time, whether or not we do that conversion there.”
Pompey said the 76ers can add two rest-of-season minimum-salary contracts without entering tax territory. Pompey added that Chris Boucher, Lonzo Ball, and forward Haywood Highsmith are potential options.
