76ers' salary cap problem clear after Jaylen Brown trade, Anfernee Simons signing

76ers’ salary cap problem clear after Jaylen Brown trade, Anfernee Simons signing originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Philadelphia 76ers took a bold swing and traded for Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

Then on Thursday, they signed Anfernee Simons in free agency.

Now, the ‘Sixers are looking at a bit of a salary cap dilemma.

From this point on, they won’t be able to give out anything other than veteran minimum contracts, according to salary cap guru Keith Smith:

I’ve got the 76ers with enough room under their first-apron hard cap to fit in a veteran minimum signing.

They could clear more space and roster spots by waiving Dalen Terry or Jabari Walker, who have non- and partially guaranteed contracts.

But without working out a…

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 2, 2026

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This is mostly because of Brown’s contract.

He’s one of the top players in the NBA, but he still might be overpaid. It’s likely part of the reason the Celtics traded him.

Joel Embiid also has a huge contract that at this point in his career is probably an overpay, too.

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The 76ers are a better team on the floor than they were when the free agent window opened in the NBA.

They’re expensive, too, and it’s going to be hard to improve the roster much more at the moment.

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