The bulbous cap space of the Philadelphia 76ers takes a hit. But does only a little damage. Heading into the off-season, the Sixers had around $61 million in their cap space. With Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey already on the side, the team is looking to further stack it with a superstar. The 9x NBA All-Star, Paul George, emerged as the front-runner for the role amidst other team’s pursuit of him. But before that, Daryl Morey makes a $16 million steal.

The latest news from the trade city revealed that the Philly side re-signed Kelly Oubre Jr. in free agency for a two-year deal worth $16.3 million, as per Adrian Wojnarowski. Considering the value that Oubre brings to the court, the Sixers have clearly got away with a deal that will only make a $8-million dent to the cap space.

Kelly Oubre can fit in a side on both frontcourt and backcourt. It’s indeed a surprise minimum deal from the Sixers despite the star’s potential. In the last season, Nick Nurse actively used him in the rotation and collected a lot of dividends in return. In the last season, Oubre averaged 15.5 points, and 5 rebounds per game during his 30-minute stay.

Moreover, Oubre also has a player option available ahead of the 2025-26 season. This will allow the star to bargain for a better deal in the next season. Especially when the City of Brotherly Love is on the hunt to rope in Paul George, the 28-year-old’s minimum deal could help the side entice the star with a huge offer.

After Paul George declined to re-sign with the LA Clippers, all the teams are working with the numbers to have a chance at the star. And, he can be the perfect player to replace the void that James Harden created when forced out of Philly.

Can the Sixers really afford Paul George?

The biggest strength of the Sixers, heading into the offseason, was their mammoth cap space. On the surface level, it seemed like they could pull it off without any hassle. However, just like Kelly Oubre Jr., the team also has another free agent. Notably, the team can’t get away with a minimum trade this time. It’s none other than their Most Improved Player, Tyrese Maxey.

Maxey completed his four-season-long rookie contract worth $12.1 million. And, the star’s value took a spike after he made his first All-Star appearance, making him eligible for a $204.5 million contract. It could have gone even higher if he had made it to the All-NBA team. Nevertheless, he earned himself a chance for the big money. Moreover, Daryl Morey even promised to sign a 5-year deal worth $200 million.

This situation leaves the Sixers with one important question: Is it worth the risk to trade Paul George for a max deal? If the team manages to sign both stars with huge deals, there are chances that it could put the team on second apron tax, leaving them with a lot of restrictions. Along with that, PG-13 has a history of inconsistency and injury woes in the last six years. Will the Sixers consider these implications? Let us know in the comments below.

Before you go, do not forget to check out Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, to open up about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud. Keep checking this space for more such updates.