Philadelphia 76ers fans have grown exhausted of the phrase “prioritizing flexibility.” However, by doing so, the 76ers will unlock a luxurious tool – the taxpayer mid-level exception.
Quentin Grimes determines everything
Philadelphia’s access to the $5.7 million TP-MLE hinges on Quentin Grimes’ inevitable return. Assuming Grimes doesn’t accept his $8.7 million qualifying offer, he and the 76ers will likely agree to a more lucrative contract. Philadelphia is $11 million below the $195.9 million first tax apron threshold. Once Grimes is re-signed, it’s safe to assume it will become a first-apron team.
The 76ers have two open roster spots. One will be occupied by Grimes, while the other is up for grabs. Philadelphia can use it on a remaining free agent or save it for a rainy day. The 76ers will have the TP-MLE at their disposal either way. Some fans want Philadelphia to acquire another power forward since its front-court depth is questionable.
The 76ers could save it for a trade
Nonetheless, it appears the 76ers will hold tight.
“A team like the 76ers, for example, that has planned to take its taxpayer midlevel into the season rather than spending it this summer can use the exception during the season to absorb the salary of a player like Highsmith via trade without having to send any salary the other way,” said Jake Fischer on The Stein Line, Thursday.
Philadelphia has tended to enter the season as an unfinished product since Daryl Morey took over as President of Basketball Operations in October 2020. Some fans see this and believe that the 76ers aren’t “all in,” but it’s quite the opposite. It would be unwise for Philadelphia to burn its assets without seeing what its initial roster has to offer.
As Fischer said, the 76ers could absorb a contract of a player making as much as $5.7 million using the TP-MLE. Since the guts of Philadelphia’s roster are relatively unproven, having the flexibility to execute a move of that fashion is imperative.
Philadelphia could invest in its young talent
The 76ers could also use the TP-MLE in-house.
Philadelphia has an intriguing collection of players on two-way contracts in Hunter Sallis, Jabari Walker, and Dominick Barlow. A player’s two-way deal can be converted into a standard NBA contract up until the last day of the regular season, which is typically in early or mid-April.
Walker and Barlow could receive ample opportunities considering Philadelphia’s power forward troubles. If either impresses, the 76ers could use the TP-MLE to sign one of them to a new deal. Philadelphia did so once before with Ricky Council in the 2023-24 season. He was inked to a four-year, $7.4 million contract.
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