Philadelphia 76ers Take a Chance on Forgotten First-Round Pick

The Philadelphia 76ers have quietly taken a flier on a name that once carried genuine draft-night intrigue. Signing MarJon Beauchamp to a two-way contract, Philadelphia is betting that the 2022 first-round pick still has something to offer after a nomadic start to his NBA career.

It’s a low-risk move, but one that reflects both the Sixers’ immediate roster needs and a broader league trend toward re-evaluating players whose early development stalled under less-than-ideal circumstances.

That reassessment has been especially evident in the G League following the annual Winter Showcase, where NBA decision-makers descend in search of immediate help, rotation stabilizers, and low-cost contributors capable of providing energy or scoring during the grind of the regular season.

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Philadelphia 76ers Bet on First-Round Pick

Beauchamp began the season on a standard G League contract with the Delaware Blue Coats, Philadelphia’s affiliate, and quickly made his case. He averaged 20.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, three assists, and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 50% from the field and 45.2% from three-point range on six attempts per contest.

His performance peaked at the Winter Showcase, where the 6-foot-7 forward poured in a season-high 30 and 23 points in back-to-back games. He also added seven rebounds and three assists in each outing.

On Dec. 19 against the Santa Cruz Warriors, Beauchamp flashed his defensive upside with three steals, a showing that caught the attention of the parent club and ultimately led to his promotion to a two-way deal.

Beauchamp entered the NBA with legitimate upside after being selected 24th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2022 NBA Draft, coming out of the G League Ignite program. With length, athleticism, and defensive versatility, he was viewed as a modern wing capable of guarding multiple positions while spacing the floor.

That promise never fully materialized in Milwaukee. Playing on a veteran-heavy roster with championship expectations, Beauchamp struggled to secure consistent minutes, often limited to brief or situational appearances. As his role diminished, his development stalled.

His NBA journey soon became unsettled. Stops with the Los Angeles Clippers and later the New York Knicks followed, with Beauchamp bouncing between teams and contracts without establishing a foothold. Since the 2022-23 season, he has appeared in 135 NBA games, averaging 4.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game.

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Why Philadelphia Is Willing to Take the Gamble

The Sixers’ interest in Beauchamp is rooted less in his past but in his recent resurgence. With the Blue Coats, he found rhythm and confidence, emerging as a primary scoring option while displaying improved shot selection and defensive engagement.

For a Philadelphia team sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference at 16–12, ranked 14th in offensive rating (114.4) and just outside the top 10 in defensive rating (113.3), the appeal is clear. The Sixers are searching for wing depth, defensive versatility, and low-cost upside, and Beauchamp’s physical profile fits the mold of role players increasingly valued around star-driven lineups.

The timing is also significant. Inconsistent wing play and injuries have created a revolving door on the perimeter, and a two-way contract allows Philadelphia to evaluate Beauchamp without committing a full roster spot, while still integrating him into NBA practices and game environments.

For Beauchamp, the opportunity is straightforward. At 25, he is no longer a long-term projection, but his career is far from defined. If he can translate his G League production into defensive reliability, floor spacing, and consistent energy, he may yet carve out the role that once seemed inevitable on draft night.

Matt Evans Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans