The Big Question: Is $213.2 Million Enough to Beat the…

By the 76ers Nightly Desk · Tuesday, September 29

Philadelphia sits at 0-0, already above the first apron at $213.2 million, after moving Paul George to Boston along with two firsts and two seconds for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James to a two-year, $8 million deal. The question this roster has to answer, starting October 20 at the Knicks, is whether that bill buys a trip past the second round or just a bigger one next summer.

76ers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What exactly did Philadelphia pay to get here?

Embiid carries a $58.1 million cap hit, Brown $57.1 million, Maxey $40.8 million, Edgecombe $11.7 million and Wade $9.0 million, pushing the 18-man payroll to $213.2 million. That's already above the first apron, set at $209.0 million, and closing in on the second apron at $221.7 million. The tax line itself sits at $200.4 million — this team cleared it before camp opened.

Was giving up Paul George for Jaylen Brown a fair swap?

Boston gets George, two first-round picks and two second-rounders; Philadelphia gets a 29-year-old wing who averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists on 34.7 percent shooting from three last season. Maxey posted 28.3 points and 6.6 assists over the same stretch. Pair those two with Embiid's 26.9 points in only 38 games, and the trade reads as a bet on health as much as talent.

Does signing LeBron at 41 actually move the needle?

James signed a two-year, $8 million deal on July 27, and by ESPN's account he cited Maxey directly as a factor in choosing Philadelphia. Last season he still put up 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds over 60 games. That production, at $8 million, is the rare bargain on a roster that otherwise pays retail for everyone else.

What could break this before the opener even happens?

Adem Bona has been day-to-day since September 17 with a foot and leg issue, targeted to return October 1. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope carries the same day-to-day tag for a finger and arm injury, also targeted for October 1. Neither is ruled out, but Embiid played only 38 games last season, and this roster has no more margin to lose bodies before the calendar turns to October 20.

Can this group actually get past the second round?

New York ended Philadelphia's season in the first round in 2024, then swept it in the second round last season. The rematch comes fast: the 76ers open October 20 at Madison Square Garden, on NBC/Peacock, after four preseason games including two against Boston. Embiid, Maxey, James and Brown are here to answer the Knicks question. Nobody in that locker room has done it yet.

The verdictThe talent upgrade is real and the bill is already due; whether it's worth it depends entirely on whether Embiid, Bona and Caldwell-Pope are all healthy come October 20, not on anything Bob Myers can still buy.

When does the 76ers' 2026-27 season start?

The regular season opens October 20, 2026, at the Knicks, airing on NBC/Peacock.

What did the 76ers give up to get Jaylen Brown?

Philadelphia traded Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks to Boston for Jaylen Brown.