Should the Sixers 22-Year-Old Forward Be Offered a Standard NBA Contract?
Just a couple of days ago, guard-forward Ricky Council IV was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent two seasons with the franchise before being let go. Council was a fan favorite player who showed up for the team, especially during a disastrous season. Last season, the franchise held the fifth-worst record in the league. The 23-year-old made himself available, playing over 70 games, when many players faced injury problems.
Now that a slot has opened up, it’s possibly time to upgrade a player who’s on a two-way contract. Jabari Walker is a six-foot-nine, 215-pound forward who can score and, more importantly, secure the boards. During the 2023-24 season, Walker averaged approximately 10 points and 10 rebounds as a starter for 23 games. In the month of January, he tallied 120 points and 112 rebounds, starting in 10 out of the 13 games played. In a five-game span in April, Walker tallied four double-doubles. Starting with 14 points and a career-high 22 rebounds in the 86-83 win over Charlotte. He continued that dominant rebounding for four consecutive games, securing 13 rebounds against Washington, 18 rebounds against Boston, 10 rebounds against New Orleans, and 16 rebounds against Golden State.
As for the 2024-25 season, Walker took a step back in production. Operating more off the bench, he averaged close to five points and four rebounds throughout 60 games. His best game came, ironically, against the Hornets on February 22nd. Walker played 26 minutes off the bench and tallied his only double-double of the season. Tallying 20 points and a season-high 14 rebounds, while scoring 60% from the field.
The Sixers could play Walker at the four spot and have Justin Edwards fight for minutes at the three. Edwards would have to show why he should be the go-to option against veterans Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. As for Walker, he would be behind Trendon Watford at the four slot. Walker is an interchangeable forward who can help in the paint or operate on the wing. A more experienced version of what Edwards showed during the 2024-25 season. We’ll see what the front office decides to do with the open slot, but Walker has a good shot at being upgraded from the two-way contract.
