The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to sign forward Jabari Walker to a two-way contract, marking a strategic addition to their roster ahead of the upcoming NBA season. Walker, who spent his first three professional seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, brings a blend of experience and versatility to the team.
Walker’s NBA Journey and Performance Overview
Jabari Walker, a 6-foot-9 forward, entered the NBA as a late second-round pick in the 2022 draft and appeared in 188 games during his tenure with Portland. Over his career, he has averaged 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Primarily deployed at power forward in his initial years, Walker’s role shifted last season, as he took on more minutes at center—accounting for 60% of his playtime compared to 40% at the four position.
This positional change contributed to his strong rebound numbers, averaging over 10 rebounds per 36 minutes across his last two seasons. Despite this, Walker’s rim protection remains limited, with an average of just 0.5 blocks per 36 minutes. Offensively, he favors shots near the basket but showed marked improvement in his three-point shooting last year, converting 38.9% on a low volume of attempts after shooting in the low 20% range in earlier seasons.
Context of the Two-Way Contract Within Philadelphia’s Offseason Moves
This signing represents the Sixers’ second two-way deal this offseason, joining undrafted free agent Hunter Sallis under similar contracts. Along with Alex Reese, these additions fill all three two-way roster spots available to Philadelphia. Walker’s combination of NBA experience and potential makes him a valuable pickup as the Sixers aim to strengthen their wing depth.
“Free agent forward Jabari Walker has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, source tells ESPN. Walker spent his first three NBA seasons in Portland, appearing in 188 games.” —Shams Charania, NBA Insider
Implications for the Sixers’ Roster and Future Prospects
By securing Jabari Walker on a two-way contract, the Sixers add a versatile forward capable of contributing minutes at both power forward and center positions. His rebounding ability and improved outside shooting provide Philadelphia with additional floor spacing and frontcourt depth. As the team prepares for the season, Walker’s experience and adaptability could prove key in managing workload distribution and injury contingencies.
Looking ahead, Walker’s development and fit within the Sixers’ system will be closely watched by fans and analysts, as he seeks to carve out a sustained role on an Eastern Conference contender.