The NBA faces a reduced salary cap due to the novel coronavirus forcing the league to suspend operations which means a loss of revenue across the board. Due to this unfortunate event, it means that a team like the Philadelphia 76ers will face a high luxury tax penalty and will have the highest payroll entering the 2020-21 season.
This was most likely going to be the case after giving out max contracts to Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons and then nearly maxing out Al Horford in the offseason of 2019, but this current situation compounds that.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger–who spent seven seasons in the Memphis Grizzlies’ front office–broke it down this way for Philadelphia and what they can possibly do to position themselves better for future moves.
Hollinger:
A lower tax line might not change the Sixers’ plans, but it does make them more expensive. Even with minimum contracts filling out the remaining roster spots, the Sixers will be $17 million over the tax line and face a $35 million tax penalty. Using their taxpayer mid-level exception on somebody who can actually shoot would be hugely expensive – the contract would only be $5.7 million but including the increased tax penalty it would cost the Sixers $26 million.
One potential path to easing their bill would be to trade forward Mike Scott, who is owed $5,005,350, and little-used second-year guard Zhaire Smith ($3,204,600).
Scott has had a bit of a down year and is easily replaceable in the grand scheme of things and Smith would most likely benefit from playing in a smaller market and having less pressure to develop and contribute right away. There should be a taker out there for somebody looking to add athleticism and defensive ability to their team. [lawrence-related id=31422,31413,31406]