After the NBA trade deadline, Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey addressed the media on Friday afternoon from the team’s practice facility. Questioned about all things from the Jared McCain trade to the lack of moves after, he discussed the potential of the team improving their depth via the buyout market.
Morey was asked about the potential open roster spots the team will have after the contracts of their two 10-day signees, Charles Bassey and Patrick Baldwin Jr., eventually expire and whether they will be significant players in the buyout market.
“I think we’re in the mix," Morey said. "I think they see a really good team or really good market...We’ve had a lot of conversations already. We’re obviously in competition with other teams, so I don’t know if we’ll get the first option necessarily, but we’ll be in there with getting some of the top options.”
With the loss of McCain and Eric Gordon, the Sixers need to replenish their depth, primarily at the guard position, but the wing is another potential area to upgrade. While there are some intriguing names available, there is some question as to whether any addition would be enough to make an impact for this team, which suddenly finds itself with a healthy Joel Embiid in the middle of a fight for the top of the Eastern Conference.
One of the Sixers’ open roster spots could also be filled internally by converting two‑way forward Jabari Walker to a standard NBA contract. Walker has contributed meaningfully throughout the season, providing energy on the glass and physicality at the forward position — traits that have helped stabilize the rotation during stretches of injuries and roster flux.
Team president Daryl Morey acknowledged Walker’s impact while explaining how his play factors into the team’s post‑deadline decision‑making.
“[Walker has] been a part of our next‑man‑up mentality,” Morey said. “He’s been a tremendous next‑man‑up type contributor and we hope to have his services going forward, but we do have to weigh optimal use of our sort of scarce two roster spots against the other opportunities as well. That’ll be written over time, whether or not we do that conversion there.”
As the dust settles on a quiet trade deadline, the Sixers now have shifted their attention to the buyout market — a space Morey described as “an ongoing opportunity” for roster improvement. Philadelphia is expected to explore options that can bolster depth for the stretch run, but Walker’s status adds a layer of complexity to those decisions.
Whether the team ultimately converts Walker’s deal or turns to an external addition, the message from the front office was clear: they believe the roster they currently have can compete for a championship, and they can bolster that roster as the buyout landscape begins to take shape in the days ahead.
