Cap Watch: Sixers Are Over the Apron With Little Room Behind…

By the 76ers Nightly Desk · Sunday, October 4

The 76ers' 18 contracts total $213.2 million, clearing the $209.0 million first apron and staying under the $221.7 million second. Joel Embiid ($58.1 million), Jaylen Brown ($57.1 million) and Tyrese Maxey ($40.8 million) are the three deals driving that number.

76ers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

How far over the line is this roster, exactly?

Philadelphia's 18 contracts total $213.2 million. The salary cap is $165.0 million, the luxury tax threshold $200.4 million, the first apron $209.0 million and the second apron $221.7 million. The Sixers have cleared the tax threshold and the first apron, with room left before the second apron kicks in.

Who's actually weighing this payroll down?

Three contracts carry most of the number: Joel Embiid at $58.1 million, Jaylen Brown at $57.1 million and Tyrese Maxey at $40.8 million. VJ Edgecombe's deal runs $11.7 million and Dean Wade's is $9.0 million. Those five account for the bulk of the $213.2 million total, with the rest of the roster filled out on smaller numbers.

What comes off the books after this season?

Eight deals expire after 2026-27: Dominick Barlow's $3.4 million team option, Ariel Hukporti's $3.4 million, Jabari Walker's $2.6 million, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's $2.4 million, Dillon Jones's $2.4 million, and the minimums for Saint Thomas, Jameer Nelson Jr. and Tacko Fall at $1.4 million each. None of those names appear on the 2027-28 cap sheet.

What draft capital is still in the building?

Philadelphia owns its own first in 2027, 2029 (as a swap) and 2030, plus an own second in 2027, 2029 and 2030. The 2028 first is protected, the 2028 second is conditional to Brooklyn, and the 2030 second is owed to New York.

How much room does Bob Myers actually have?

Not much. The Sixers are already above the first apron, which the front office itself says leaves interim president Bob Myers little room to maneuver. He's running things while Philadelphia looks for his permanent successor, with $213.2 million in salary committed before anyone talks about in-season moves.

The verdictThe Sixers are paying like a contender: $213.2 million in salary, above the first apron, with Bob Myers given little room to maneuver. It doesn't get easier — Embiid, Brown and Maxey are already owed $62.7 million, $61.0 million and $43.6 million apiece in 2027-28.

Are the 76ers in the luxury tax?

Yes. Philadelphia's $213.2 million payroll is above the $200.4 million tax threshold and the $209.0 million first apron.

Do the Sixers control their own future firsts?

Mostly. They own their first outright in 2027 and 2030, have a swap in 2029, and the 2028 first is protected.