Former Portland Trail Blazers big Jabari Walker is signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania:
The Philadelphia 76ers intend to sign forward Jabari Walker to a new two-year contract, sources tell ESPN. 76ers and Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul and Anthony Fields negotiated the new deal for Walker, who earned a rotation role after maxing out the games allowed on his two-way deal.
Walker, who was on a two-way deal with the 76ers, had exhausted his NBA eligibility
by having been available for the maximum number of 50 games. He now signed through the end of the 2026-27 season.
During introductory press conferences at the beginning of the season, Walker said that he didn’t expect to end up on a two-way contract:
“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 whether that’s things I need to be doing better or whether it’s just situation, it all led to me being here and I’m just grateful for this moment because a lot of people don’t even have this. I’m friends with old teammates that aren’t even in the league anymore and I’m talking to them and they’re like, ‘Man, take advantage of what you have in front of you.’ 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.”
Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice writes that Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse, “…has repeatedly expressed an appreciation for Walker’s tenacity as a rebounder, physical defense and ability to stay ready when not firmly in the rotation. Lately, Walker has been out of the mix, but Nurse has made continued comments about wanting to see Walker back on the floor.”
Walker spent his first three seasons with the Blazers, averaging 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 188 games. He has averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 boards with the 76ers in his 45 appearances, all but 6 of them off the bench.
