On Friday, LeBron James chose Philadelphia. Within hours, reports of a reunion with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came about. But before the 76ers could officially welcome either veteran, they had one obstacle standing in the way: the NBA’s first apron hard cap. Already carrying 14 standard contracts and sitting just $3.419 million below the threshold, Philadelphia knew someone had to make way, and the expected surprise came on Sunday.

That someone was former first-round pick Dalen Terry, as the NBA transactions log on July 26 indicated. The 24-year-old was waived on Sunday, officially clearing the financial flexibility needed for the Sixers to register James’ two-year $8 million contract with a player option in what would be his 24th NBA season. The timing might have surprised some, but the reasoning was quite simple.

Although the 76ers had an open roster spot, signing James would put them above the $209 million first apron hard cap. So, they took the most straightforward path of waiving Dalen Terry, who wasn’t guaranteed until January 10. For Philadelphia, it was a necessary cap move, but for Terry, it was another setback in a career that has never quite found stability.

The Arizona product was selected 18th overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2022 NBA Draft and arrived in the league with plenty of expectations as a long, athletic wing capable of defending several positions. But he struggled to carve out a consistent role in Chicago, averaging just 3,5 points per game before the Bulls eventually decided to let him go.

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His journey to Philadelphia was anything but straightforward. He was traded by Chicago before being flipped again and then landing with the New Orleans Pelicans, who waived him shortly after. The Sixers then handed him another chance, initially signing him to a two-way contract before converting him to a standard NBA contract late last season.

In 14 appearances for Philadelphia, Terry averaged 4.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 12.4 minutes per game. Earlier this offseason, the Sixers exercised his approximately $2.6 million team option for 2026-27. But because the deal would not have become fully guaranteed until Jan  10, he ultimately became the logical casualty once James committed to join Philadelphia.

The new deal with the 76ers includes a full 15% trade kicker. Now, after officially signing LeBron James, Philadelphia is $2,012,784 below the first apron.

James officially announced his decision to join Philadelphia through a series of posts on X. Through them, he made it clear that his final NBA destination was about chasing another championship rather than another payday.

“This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family,” James wrote. “What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning.”

“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team, and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.  Thank you, LA. Miami, I’ll forever love, and Northeast Ohio will always home!”

With Bron’s signing now official, another star that the 76ers are targeting is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. But even his reunion with LeBron had to wait.

“Just in: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has agreed to a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies and plans to sign a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN,” yesterday senior insider Shams Charania reported on X.

“The two-time NBA champion with the Lakers and Nuggets, who was part of the 2020 title along with LeBron James, gives the 76ers a wing shooter and defender.”

On Sunday, between the 76ers’ news of waiving Dalen Terry and signing James, the Grizzlies announced they were waiving KCP. So, it’s the first move for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to sign with the Sixers. Even though it’s a one-year, $3.9 million deal, it will only count $2.4 million due to the one-year veteran exception. Again, this will require roster sacrifices.

Another name reported to be on the chopping block is Jabari Walker. His current salary cap carry is $2.5 million. Just like Terry, Walker’s contract is fully guaranteed on 1/10/27, and currently, only $250,000 is guaranteed. If the Sixers decide to keep Walker, they can trade Johni Broome. Since he has a guaranteed contract, waiving him won’t bring cap relief.

Now the 76ers also have their 2033 first-round pick and three first-round pick swaps to make the deal sweeter. Plus, they have 14 second-round picks, which can also be used. So, the Sixers are once again facing the NBA’s salary cap hurdles in making signings official. For registering LeBron James, it required waiving Terry, and for KCP, too, it can pan out the same way.