76ers to Risk Luxury Tax for One More Shot: Can Embiid, George & Maxey Finally Deliver?

The $11.1M Gamble That Might Save (or Break) Philly

Let’s cut to the chase: even if they breach the second luxury tax line next season, the 76ers are sticking with Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Haliburton—wait, no—Tyrese Maxey. I mean Maxey. The trio played just 15 games together this year (7-8 record). But here’s the twist: keeping their #3 draft pick adds $11.1M in cap room for 2025-26. That means payroll could edge past that dreaded second luxury tax threshold. And they’re still betting on one more run.

That’s not just optimism—that’s audacity.

Why They’re Playing Russian Roulette With Payroll

We’ve seen this movie before: elite talent meets injury hell. Embiid missed 33 games. George played 41. Maxey? A solid 52—but still not enough to turn that rotation around. Yet management says: “We owe them one more chance.”

I get it—Embiid is a generational force when healthy; George brings elite defense and scoring when on floor; Maxey? He’s got that spark that makes you believe in playoff runs.

But let me show you something raw from Sportradar:

• When all three were on court together? Their net rating was +4.8 per 100 possessions.
• In all other combinations? -6.9.

That’s not just chemistry—it’s an offensive alchemy we can’t afford to lose.

The Data Doesn’t Lie (But It Doesn’t Predict Either)

The numbers scream caution:

• Their combined injury-adjusted win share dropped from 28 last season to just 8 this year.
• Opponents shot 49% from deep when Maxey guarded them—up from league average.
• On offense? They averaged only 99 points per game when split up—a bottom-five mark.

Yet… there’s a ceiling here we can’t ignore.

When healthy—and let’s be real, how often do these three stay healthy together?—this team has elite upside. We’ve seen flashes of dominance against top-tier teams like Denver and Boston in limited matchups.

I’m not saying it will work—but I am saying not trying would be worse than blowing past tax lines.

Is This Smart or Just Emotional?

Look—I grew up watching Elton Brand era Philly fans scream at every blown call at Wells Fargo Center. We’ve been burned before by ‘last chances.’ The question isn’t whether they can win now—it’s whether they should risk future flexibility for a slim playoff window? The answer depends on your definition of sustainability versus legacy-building.

For me? As someone who tracks player development across Latin America too—I see potential beyond stats. These guys have grown up under pressure. They’ve faced doubters since Day One because of injuries or perceived weaknesses.

Now imagine if… just once… they finish it? The payoff isn’t just hardware—it’s belief.

So yeah—the math says risky.
The heart says try again.
And as a fan with dual heritage (Mexican-American roots), I’ll always side with hope over fear.

They’re playing chess with fire—and maybe that’s exactly what champions need sometimes.