The Sixers’ cap situation is razor-thin after Quentin Grimes’ one-year, $8.7M QO, leaving them with 14 standard contracts and roughly $194.6M in salary. They’re about $1.1M under the first apron and $12.9M under the second, delayingbig-MLE moves and nudging them toward tax-avoidance strategies.

They face roughly $7.3M in luxury tax, but repeater tax clocks are reset through 2028-29. Trade paths hinge on Stepien rules and asset juggling (notably 2026 top-4 to OKC and 2028 top-8 to Nets), with 2029 swaps vs Clippers in play. The balance of Grimes, Edwards and the rest will define this season’s fantasy upside and long-term flexibility.

Preseason in Abu Dhabi kicks off a season shaped by 10 names set to define it: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paolo Banchero, De'Aaron Fox, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Amen Thompson, Desmond Bane, A.J. Dybantsa, Mike Brown, Adam Silver.

Milwaukee upgrades keep Giannis in play; Orlando pivots to a win-now arc; Memphis adds Bane's shooting; San Antonio pairs Fox with Wembanyama and Harper; LeBron, Kawhi and Silver frame the league's balance and expansion intel. Injuries to Haliburton and Tatum widen the East's path as Wembanyama's era opens in San Antonio with Castle and Harper looming—the fantasy season will hinge on fit, health and late moves.