76ers attempting to prove this formula still works with new apron rules

The Philadelphia 76ers promised a star addition and delivered by signing Paul George this offseason. The nine-time All-Star gives Philly three stars and arguably the most top-end talent in the NBA. Joel Embiid was MVP in 2023, and Tyrese Maxey just made his first All-Star appearance. It instantly made the Sixers one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference, but should they be?

The new CBA added harsher spending restrictions for teams. Spending over the second tax apron makes it difficult to improve your roster. They cannot take back more money than they send out in a trade and only have minimum contracts to offer in free agency. Even being over the first apron limits what front offices can do. Teams are still adjusting, but it has altered several plans.

Putting three stars together has been a winning formula in the NBA for decades. Daryl Morey and the 76ers are trying to follow that blueprint, but does it still work in the “apron era”?

The 76ers attempt to prove Big 3 is still a championship formula

Philadelphia benefitted from Tyrese Maxey’s cap hold being well below his value. It allowed the 76ers to sign Paul George and keep spending well beyond the salary cap. Philly is over the first apron and just $8.2 million below the second with just 13 players on their roster.

Being able to keep Maxey on their books was massive in filling out their roster. The Sixers got Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Reggie Jackson along with Paul George in free agency. They also re-signed Kelly Oubre and Kyle Lowry. Many Big 3’s fail because of depth issues, but the 76ers did well by acquiring several pieces.

Daryl Morey set his sights on a third star for more than one year. He made it happen, but will it backfire? The Sixers will be relying on several rotation players in their mid-30s and things could break down quickly if their three best players struggle to gel. Big 3’s are not always successful, and Philly is relying on two stars with significant injury histories.   

Adding talent from this point is significantly more difficult. The Sixers signed Kenyon Martin Jr. to a $7.9 million contract to potentially use in a trade. It gives them one avenue to upgrade their roster if the right deal comes along. They can only take back 110 percent of his salary in a deal, so finding the right option won’t be easy.

The Philadelphia 76ers have a Big 3 in Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. They have plenty of top-end talent, but did Daryl Morey put enough talent around them? If they fail in year one, can the Sixers add the necessary players? It won’t be easy, but fans will find out if a Big 3 still works with the new apron rules.