The Philadelphia 76ers continue to make moves ahead of the NBA trade deadline. After trading Caleb Martin to the Dallas Mavericks and KJ Martin to the Detroit Pistons, the Sixers have now traded away Reggie Jackson to the Washington Wizards along with a 2026 first-round pick for guard Jared Butler and multiple second-round picks.
Jackson had played in 31 games for the Sixers, averaging 4.4 points and 1.4 assists per game. Washington likely has little interest in Jackson as a building block and more of a means to an end to facilitate the deal. The real prize for the Wizards is the 2026 first-round pick. The lesser of the Clippers, Rockets, or Thunder’s first-round selection in 2026, the pick will likely fall in the 25-30 range next year.
As for Philadelphia, they receive Jared Butler, who Sixers fans may remember cooked them earlier this season, putting up 26 points against Philadelphia and nearly delivering a win for the visiting Wizards. Butler, a 24-year-old guard, has shown some promise to begin his career but has been unable to find any traction in the league, largely due to a struggle to remain healthy. While Philadelphia is far from the picture of health, a change of scenery can always provide a new outlook.
The Sixers will also receive four second-round picks in the deal, allowing Philadelphia to restock on draft assets that were sent out to get off of KJ Martin‘s salary. Washington is sending Philadelphia the more favorable of the Golden State Warriors or Phoenix Suns’ 2027 second rounder, the Warrior’s 2028 second rounder, the more favorable of the Suns or the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2030 second rounder, and the Wizards’ own 2030 second-rounder.
In all, the Sixers have brought in two young but skilled players, Quentin Grimes and Jared Butler, while adding five second-round picks at the cost of Caleb Martin, KJ Martin, a 2026 first, and two future second-round picks. All that while ending up below the first apron and the tax. The key to that final note is two-fold.
Philadelphia avoids running into the repeater tax next season, which, for a team that doesn’t seem guaranteed a lengthy playoff run, is both valuable and sensical. The far more important meaning, however, is that the Sixers can sign buyout players, no matter their previous salary, now that they are below the first apron. This potentially increases the pool of available players by a solid margin.
The Sixers are now $3.5 million below the tax line with 12 players rostered. As Butler is on a two-way deal, the Sixers are set to waive Pete Nance, according to Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice. Philadelphia is also rumored to be interested in signing undrafted rookie Justin Edwards to an NBA contract and will have two weeks to get their roster from 12 to 14 players.
