Sixers

Ahead of the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers shipped out Matisse Thybulle and the Charlotte Hornets' 2023 second-round pick for Jalen ...

But with this new CBA fast approaching in February, the Sixers were wise to maintain their financial optionality given how costly they could become as soon as next season. They also still not be fully abreast of the changes in the new CBA. If the Sixers did believe the new CBA would crack down on high-spending teams, it behooved them to maintain as much short-term flexibility as possible. With both Tyrese Maxey and De'Anthony Melton eligible for contract extensions this offseason, the Sixers have a number of critical long-term financial decisions to make over the coming months. The players' union shot that proposal down as a non-starter, but it seemed clear that the league was looking to level the playing field between deep-pocketed and stingy ownership groups. If they re-sign him to a max contract (beginning at a projected $46.9 million), they'd be $2 million over the luxury-tax line with only eight players under contract. But with the Sixers staring down a pivotal offseason, they'll need to be mindful of how the implementation of the second apron will affect their team-building strategy moving forward. Among the biggest changes in the new CBA is the implementation of a second salary-cap apron, which will be set at $17.5 million above the luxury-tax line, according to multiple reports. The Sixers will likely be well above the second apron if they do re-sign Harden this summer. If the ramifications don't go into effect in 2023-24, they'll have at least one full season to get their books in order before considering whether to stay above that threshold. The salary cap is currently projected to land at 9 NBA trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers shipped out Matisse Thybulle and the Charlotte Hornets' 2023 second-round pick for Jalen McDaniels and a pair of future second-rounders.