The Philadelphia 76ers are making moves as the 2025-26 NBA season barrels past the All-Star break, determined to strengthen their playoff push and fill out their roster with savvy signings. On February 16, 2026, the Sixers finalized deals with two key players: veteran guard Cam Payne and energetic forward Jabari Walker, officially completing their 15-man roster and signaling their intentions for the stretch run.
For a team sitting at 30-24 and jostling for position in a crowded Eastern Conference, every roster spot counts. The Sixers have been leaning heavily on their All-Star duo, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, while awaiting the return of Paul George from a 25-game suspension. The recent moves are a testament to the front office’s desire to shore up depth and versatility ahead of the playoffs.
Let’s start with Jabari Walker, whose journey to a standard NBA contract is a story of perseverance and grit. Walker, just 23 years old, joined Philadelphia on a two-way contract in July 2025 after three seasons and 188 games with the Portland Trail Blazers. He quickly made an impression, becoming the only Sixer to be active for each of the first 50 games of this season—a streak that showcased his reliability and readiness.
Walker’s path wasn’t without its challenges. After hitting the 50-game limit for two-way players before the trade deadline, he found himself inactive for several games as the team worked through roster logistics. But the Sixers kept their promise. During his introductory media availability, Walker reflected, “The plan that I had for myself, I didn’t see two-way at all. I didn’t think that would be a position I was in. But you know the market and just feedback, it doesn’t lie… So yes, the goal is to [get] the [standard] contract, but just me being here and being part of a team that wants to win and playing with all these amazing guys, I think I’m just grateful to be here.”
That gratitude translated into hustle on the floor. Walker carved out a valuable bench role, averaging 3.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 12.1 minutes per game over 45 appearances this season. His shooting has been a work in progress—just 40.3% overall and 27.0% from three-point range—but his rebounding has been elite. According to Cleaning the Glass, Walker ranks in the 100th percentile among forwards in offensive rebounding and 76th percentile in defensive rebounding, making him a one-man wrecking crew on the boards.
Head coach Nick Nurse has repeatedly lauded Walker’s tenacity and physicality. Even when Walker slipped out of the rotation, Nurse made it clear he valued the young forward’s ability to stay ready and contribute defensively. “Walker brings defensive versatility and intensity on the wing,” Nurse noted, a sentiment echoed throughout the organization.
Walker’s new two-year standard contract, negotiated with Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul and Anthony Fields, ensures he’ll be eligible for postseason action—a crucial asset as the Sixers look to make noise in the playoffs. He’ll be competing for frontcourt minutes off the bench with Justin Edwards and Trendon Watford, while Dominick Barlow, who signed his own two-year deal with a team option earlier this month, remains a fixture in the starting lineup.
Speaking of Barlow, the Sixers opened up roster spots for Walker and Barlow to convert their two-way deals into standard contracts by trading Jared McCain for a draft pick and Eric Gordon for the rights to Justinian Jessup. These moves reflect a broader strategy by team president Daryl Morey, who has prioritized flexibility and depth over splashy headline-grabbing trades at the deadline. While rivals like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons made more aggressive moves, Morey downplayed their impact, telling reporters he didn’t view those deals as “needle-movers.”
With Walker and Barlow now on standard deals, the Sixers had two open slots to fill. They moved quickly to sign veteran guard Cam Payne, who brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record as a steadying influence off the bench. Payne, an 11th-year veteran out of Murray State, is no stranger to Philadelphia, having played 31 games for the Sixers during the 2023-24 campaign after a midseason trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. He spent last season with the New York Knicks before a brief stint with the Indiana Pacers and most recently played for Partizan Belgrade in Serbia.
For his NBA career, Payne has averaged 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. His one-year deal with the Sixers is a straight contract—no team option for the 2026-27 season—giving both sides flexibility going forward. The addition of Payne is especially timely, as the Sixers look to bolster their guard rotation while Paul George serves out his suspension. Payne’s veteran savvy and playoff experience could prove invaluable as the games get tighter and the stakes rise.
From a salary cap perspective, these moves were executed with precision. Prior to signing Payne and Walker, the Sixers were less than $1.6 million below the $187.9 million luxury-tax threshold. By timing the signings strategically, the team could save nearly $80,000, keeping them comfortably under the tax line and preserving the option for a late-season addition if necessary. After these deals, the Sixers’ 15-man roster is set, and they no longer have open spots to pursue players from the buyout market.
That said, the Sixers aren’t done tweaking around the edges. They plan to sign forward Tyrese Martin, formerly of the Brooklyn Nets, to one of their open slots created by converting two-way contracts. Martin averaged 7.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 18.8 minutes over 37 games this season, offering another dose of athleticism and upside as the team looks to find hidden gems for the playoff push.
Looking at the updated roster, the Sixers now boast a blend of seasoned veterans and hungry young contributors. Joel Embiid anchors the middle in his 12th year, flanked by Maxey, George, Oubre Jr., Drummond, Lowry, and the newly added Payne. The supporting cast—Barlow, Watford, Walker, Edwards, Broome, Edgecombe, Grimes, Bona, Terry, Beauchamp, and Martin—provides depth and adaptability, giving Nurse plenty of options as he tinkers with rotations down the stretch.
With 28 games left in the regular season, the Sixers are betting on continuity, depth, and the return of a healthy Paul George to propel them into the postseason. The additions of Walker and Payne may not grab national headlines, but within the walls of the Wells Fargo Center, they represent the kind of smart, measured moves that could make all the difference come playoff time.
As the Sixers refocus after the All-Star break, the message is clear: this roster is ready to compete, and every player—from the stars to the newest signings—has a role to play in the team’s playoff ambitions.