Which free agency addition will make the biggest impact for Sixers?

USA Today

06-08-2025

The Philadelphia 76ers were quiet in the free agency market in 2025 after a big spending spree in 2024. The goal for President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey was working on making sure the team got younger as well as add players who can provide legitimate depth and versatility.
In terms of the additions for the Sixers, they added the versatile Trendon Watford as well as two young big men in Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow who can produce right away on two-way deals. The Sixers getting either player on a two-way deal is a steal when considering they're both NBA rotational player.
The question for the Sixers now is which of those three will make the biggest impact?
Jabari Walker
2024-25 stats: 5.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.6 apg, 0.6 spg, 51.5% FG, 38.9% 3FG
Walker progressed in a big way in 2024-25. He shot 38.9% from deep on 1.2 attempts per game, and per Cleaning the Glass, shot 53% on corner 3s. He took a big leap forward in the 3-point shooting department and was able to take steps forward in the pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop game as well. He is also a more than solid offensive rebounder as he averaged 1.4 offensive rebounds per game in his three seasons with Portland. Offensive rebounding is an important skill and Walker brings that to Philadelphia. If he can continue building a reliable jumper, then he will have a permanent spot in this team's rotation.
Dominick Barlow
2024-25 stats: 4.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.5 bpg, 53.1% FG
Signed to a two-way and then playing for the Sixers in the summer league, Barlow was able to produce some good numbers at 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds. Specifically, he averaged 4.0 offensive rebounds per game in Vegas. The Sixers always need some help in that department and with somebody like Barlow who is bouncy, athletic, and relentless on the glass, they can rely on him to be a backup to Joel Embiid at times. While on a two-way deal, one can assume he will spend a lot of time in the G League, but when the Sixers need some young legs to turn to in the dog days of the season in January and February, Barlow will take on a bigger role.
Trendon Watford
2024-25 stats: 10.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 0.6 spg, 46.9% FG, 33% 3FG
Watford uses his size and strength to put the ball on the floor and convert on herky-jerky looks at the basket to make an impact with his scoring. For example, he scored 18 points on 7-for-8 shooting--all 2-point attempts--in a win over the Sixers on Feb. 12. An underrated area of his game is his playmaking ability. Per Cleaning the Glass, Watford had a 21.1% assist percentage in 2024-25 which stands in the 92nd percentile. The 2.6 assists he averaged for the Nets were a career high for him and a number that he can continue to grow in Philadelphia with the talented offensive players around him. He brings a lot of help on the wing which is an area the Sixers can always use help in as they move forward.
In terms of overall great impact, Watford will likely be the one who will do that for Philadelphia. He has four years of experience under his belt and will look to provide some immediate production for the Sixers. When the season gets underway, he will certainly receive a lot of attention from teammates and the coaching staff to give something right away.