Sixers Face Familiar Tax Dilemma, But Embiid Wants Stability
The Philadelphia 76ers have quietly built a reputation for maneuvering around the luxury tax line in recent years. But with the team finding its rhythm again and Joel Embiid playing at an MVP-caliber level, the reigning league MVP is ready for the front office to shift gears.
“We’ve been ducking the tax the last couple of years,” Embiid said. “So hopefully we keep the same team.
I love all of the guys that are in here. I think we got a shot.”
That’s not just a captain talking - it’s a clear message. Philadelphia has been shedding salary at the deadline for two straight seasons.
In 2024, they moved Danuel House and Jaden Springer to get under the tax line. A year later, it was Caleb Martin and KJ Martin who were dealt in similar cost-cutting moves.
Now, sitting roughly $7 million over the line this season, the Sixers are once again facing a decision: prioritize financial flexibility or go all-in on a roster that’s starting to click.
And there’s a real case to be made for the latter.
After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, this year’s Sixers squad has bounced back in a big way. Joel Embiid and Paul George have stayed healthier, Tyrese Maxey continues to ascend into stardom, and rookie VJ Edgecombe has wasted no time making an impact. At 26-21, Philadelphia currently holds the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference - a solid position considering the turbulent past year.
While the front office has a few potential trade chips in Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr., both on expiring contracts, league sources say the Sixers aren’t looking to move either player just to save money. That’s a shift in tone from previous years, and one that could reflect Embiid’s influence behind the scenes.
Andre Drummond is reportedly available, but even moving his contract wouldn’t be enough to duck the tax entirely. So if Philadelphia wants to make a significant financial move, it would likely involve a bigger piece - and that’s not something the team appears eager to do right now.
The message from the locker room is clear: this group believes it has something worth building on. Now it’s up to the front office to decide whether to back that belief with action - or let the balance sheet do the talking again.
Giannis Trade? Think Bigger Than the Package
If you’re an NBA team dreaming about landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, the trade package is only half the battle. The real commitment comes after the ink dries.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, any team looking to acquire the two-time MVP must also be prepared for the financial reality of a potential four-year, $275 million extension Giannis could sign starting in the 2027-28 season. That’s the kind of long-term investment that reshapes a franchise - both on and off the court.
“I think most teams would say yes, but I’m not sure everybody would,” Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast. “There’s one team I talked to who said they’re just not crazy about that contract with their other options.”
Translation: this isn’t just about assets - it’s about appetite. Giannis remains one of the most dominant two-way forces in the league, but committing to him means building your entire organizational future around one player. That’s not a decision made lightly, even for a superstar of his caliber.
There’s no half-measure when it comes to Giannis. If you want him, you better be all in.
NBA Draft Calendar Set: Let the Lottery Countdown Begin
The NBA has officially locked in its key pre-draft dates, giving front offices a clear runway as they prepare for the next wave of talent.
The G League Elite Camp will run from May 8-10, immediately followed by the NBA Draft Combine, which stretches from May 10-17. But the big date circled on every lottery team’s calendar? Sunday, May 10 - the NBA Draft Lottery.
That’s when the ping-pong balls decide who gets the best shot at landing a franchise cornerstone. Once the lottery order is set, the evaluation season kicks into overdrive, with teams finally knowing where their chips fall before diving deeper into scouting and draft strategy.
The calendar’s in place. Now it’s just a matter of who fortune favors.