The Philadelphia 76ers were rumored to be among the most active teams around the deadline. They needed to save money and are doing precisely that with their three deadline deals. They managed to swap Caleb Martin for a cheaper and younger option, dump KJ Martin, and now they dealt Reggie Jackson for a player earning a base salary of just under $600,000. For comparison, Jackson had a salary of $2.1 million for the 2024-25 season. As a result of these trades, the 76ers have saved millions.
Philadelphia 76ers Save Millions With Trades
This is Philadelphia’s third deal leading up to the NBA trade deadline. They sent Jackson and a 2026 first-round pick to the Washington Wizards. In return, they got guard Jared Butler and four future second-round picks.
The Sixers’ reasoning behind the trade is salary, but they also get a decent backup point guard who can help Tyrese Maxey get a breather on the bench. Butler is also younger than Jackson. This season, he averages 6.9 points and 2.6 assists on 48.3% shooting. On the other hand, Jackson averages 4.4 points and 1.5 assists on 39% shooting from the floor.
Why Philadelphia Needed to Shed Salary
It is not all about shedding salary. The 76ers want to be a contender, and those teams usually pay high salaries. But their latest moves indicate they can be a player in the buyout market. There are two reasons the Sixers shed salary.
First, they want to get out of the luxury tax. This will allow them to sign players on the buyout market who made above the league-average salary of $11.9 million. If a player like Bojan Bogdanovic or Malcolm Brogdon makes it to the buyout market, Philadelphia can offer them a rotation spot. They can only give them the minimum salary, but players bought out usually want to get on a contender and hope to regain value.
As Bobby Marks outlined in his trade deadline reaction, the second reason is to re-sign Guerschon Yabusele in the summer. Before the three moves, the Sixers were limited in what they could offer Yabusele. As Marks points out, they can give him the full $14 million non-tax mid-level exception, or close to that. The big man has become a quality rotation player for the team, and they would love to keep him after this season.
Can We Expect More Moves From the 76ers?
This might be the last deal the Sixers make before the deadline. After the Jackson trade to the Wizards, the 76ers can look for players in the buyout market. They also have their non-tax mid-level exception in the summer.
They might try to add some shooting with a minimal-salary player, but they are running out of their own players they can trade. Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry are still options, but they are not the most enticing players. Of course, if Philadelphia can turn any of them into a more reliable and younger three-point shooter, they will go for it. Daryl Morey is always looking for ways to improve the team.
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