The Sixers reportedly made their second move ahead of the NBA trade deadline, this time salary dumping veteran guard Eric Gordon to the Memphis Grizzlies for 2032 second-round pick swap. ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report the news.
The Sixers keeping pointing to the fact that Dominick Barlow needs to be converted from a two-way deal to a standard contract. While there’s no doubt that Barlow, who’s started 33 games and proven to be invaluable to the Sixers, needs to be converted, it’s puzzling why that’s been referenced for both this deal and the Jared McCain trade.
All the Sixers needed to do to convert Barlow to a standard deal was free up a roster spot. With Paul George’s suspension and McCain’s trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team was already below the luxury tax and opened up a roster spot — though it’s important to note that the team did not have to dip below the luxury tax to convert Barlow. Charles Bassey’s 10-day contract was set to expire, but the team reportedly will sign him to a second 10-day deal.
For what it’s worth the Sixers are now $5.3 million below the luxury tax with two open roster spots before converting Barlow or Jabari Walker.
Gordon’s tenure with the Sixers will largely go down as disappointing. The veteran sharpshooter was signed last offseason to help provide spacing and scoring off the bench after the marquee signing of George. Instead, Joel Embiid and George started the season on the shelf and Gordon struggled. He was eventually supplanted by McCain, who had a stellar run during his rookie season before tearing his meniscus. Gordon declined his player option this past summer and signed a new minimum deal. He played in just six games this season.
The NBA trade deadline is less than an hour away. Thus far, it’s been underwhelming for the Sixers to say the least. Stay tuned.