The race for the Sixers’ final standard roster spot is heating up, and some serious names are already throwing their hats in the ring. Forget generic fillers; we’re talking about players with championship experience and a certain swagger.
Big Names, Big Dreams, Small Gap
First up, Kevin Love’s agent has already been in touch with the Sixers, fresh off the LeBron James signing. Love wants to pair with James again to chase a championship, and honestly, who can blame him? Those two have remained tight ever since their four seasons with the Cavaliers. Then there’s Philly’s own Markieff Morris, a guy who actually won a championship with LeBron on the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019-20. He literally took to Twitter to stake his claim, saying, “Shiddd if it’s anybody getting that last Vet roster spot it’s gonna be me! Philly raised!!!” You gotta respect that directness.
But the real shocker? Ben Simmons. He’s “eyeing a comeback” after taking last season off, and a return to Philly was floated earlier this offseason, though that was before the LeBron and Jaylen Brown acquisitions. Get this: a coach who recently worked out Simmons said he’s “regained his athleticism.” This is huge, especially after chronic back injuries left him looking like a shell of his former All-Star self. Multiple NBA teams are interested, with one West squad even offering a training camp invite, and Simmons is open to a vet minimum contract. He’s even got dreams of playing for Australia in the 2028 LA Olympics, and attending mini-camp aids that hope.
The Cold Hard Cap Reality
Here’s the kicker though: even if the Sixers wanted to sign Love, Morris, Simmons, or any other established veteran *right now*, they just can’t. They’re hard-capped at the $209.0 million first apron, and they’ve already got nearly $207.2 million in salary on their books. That leaves them with a tight $1.8 million below the hard cap. A veteran minimum contract for anyone with two or more years of NBA experience? That comes with a $2.4 million cap hit. You do the math; it simply doesn’t work.
So, what does this mean for the Sixers? They have to wait. Once the regular season begins, those minimum contracts will start prorating downward daily, dropping by roughly $14,000. By early December, the Sixers *should* have enough space under the hard cap to fill that final spot with a fresh minimum deal. This is actually a smart play. They need to spend the first few months of the season figuring out what the team really needs. No rush, wait for the right fit. Who knows, maybe Simmons proves he’s truly back to his All-Star form by then! Keep an eye on early December; that’s when this final roster spot drama could really get interesting.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Liberty Ballers.
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