CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers made some low key moves in the offseason as they were strapped for cash a bit following the spending spree of 2024. The goal for the front office was to get younger and more versatile and they feel like they achieved those goals with the additions they made.
One of the newcomers is 3-year forward Jabari Walker who is in Philadelphia on a two-way deal after he averaged 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds across three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. He is an athletic big man who has a high basketball IQ that he brings to the table. One has to believe the Sixers will give him a long look when the time comes.
One area Walker has taken a big step forward in is his 3-point shooting. He shot 38.9% from deep in the 2024-25 season. He shot a blistering 53% on corner 3s per Cleaning the Glass which is a big step forward for him after an adjustment to the league’s longer 3-point line compared to college.
“I think just being fluid,” Walker said of the work he’s put in. “Taking all the unnecessary movements out. It’s been a long process, but I think last summer, before the season, last season, I think that’s when it really clicked for me. I kind of had a fluid base, and then the 3-point line–I finally adjusted to that.”
It is an adjustment for some players to make in the NBA. After shooting 39.9% from deep in two seasons at Colorado, Walker shot just 28.6% and 29.5% in his first two seasons, respectively. He then had the big jump in his third season so if he can continue that ascension, the Sixers will certainly give him some more playing time in an effort to add to their depth.
“My legs got stronger, so it felt good, and then now I’m just working on getting it off quicker, because guys are starting to understand that I just shoot,” Walker finished. “They’re expecting it a little bit more. So I still want to shoot the ball. I just have to get it off faster.”
The Sixers have one final preseason game left on Friday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves. It will be interesting to see if Walker can take another step toward earning a roster spot.