NBA Notes: Sixers, Kelly Oubre Jr, Magic, Tyus Jones, Thunder

76ers

Philadelphia is operating about $1 million below the first apron, and the question is whether depth matters more than savings.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks points to Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond as decisions worth watching. Both are headed toward free agency, and trading either would likely push the Sixers below the luxury tax. The risk is what that does to coach Nick Nurse’s options if Joel Embiid or Paul George suffers another injury.

Before hurting his knee, Oubre was averaging 16.8 points while shooting a career-best 49.7 percent. Drummond, meanwhile, is pulling down 9.4 rebounds in just over 21 minutes per game. Neither is flashy, but both provide insurance for a roster that rarely stays whole.

Magic

In Orlando, the focus is Tyus Jones.

Anthony Black’s expanded role has cut into Jones’ minutes, which are at a career low. The Magic have been far better statistically when Jones is off the floor, and with Jones headed for free agency, Marks notes that moving his $7 million contract would also drop Orlando below the luxury tax.

The Magic are hard-capped, so every dollar matters.

Thunder

Oklahoma City’s situation is the opposite. Nothing is broken, but the Thunder have an absurd amount of draft capital. Thirteen first-round picks over the next seven years.

Marks suggests the Thunder may eventually need to consolidate some of those assets, especially with future payroll pressures coming. Utah’s recent move to flip multiple lesser picks for a premium 2031 selection offers a possible blueprint.

OKC is still below the luxury tax and not hard-capped. The question is not urgency. It’s timing.