The Sixer Sense
Fansided

4 Offseason tasks the Philadelphia 76ers should already be working on

By Jonathan Geib

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles up the court in the second half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 23, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles up the court in the second half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 23, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Tyrese Maxey’s Rookie Extension

Tyrese Maxey is on his way to being a superstar in this league. At the young age of 22, Maxey is already the third-best player on the Sixers and is averaging 20 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in just his third season. Maxey has exponentially improved year over year and may well be the X-factor in how far this team goes in this upcoming postseason.

Right now Maxey is in the third year of his 4-year, approximately $12 million rookie contract. The Sixers have already exercised the 4th year option for the 2023-24 season for Maxey, but he is still eligible to receive his rookie extension this offseason.

This should be an absolute no-brainer for the Sixers! Maxey is worth a max extension which, if signed this summer, will lock up one of the most valuable young prospects in the league for 6 years (final year of his rookie deal plus a five-year extension). With Embiid in his prime, and Harden’s future up in the air, as mentioned on the previous slide, Maxey’s rookie extension should be nothing more than a formality.

Harden’s offseason decision will likely have a huge role in Maxey’s future as well. Maxey and Harden are both true point guards, yet they can both play off the ball and appear to make each other better players. This is the truest for Maxey. Harden puts him in the right spots on the floor to excel which has rapidly helped with Maxey’s development.

If Harden does leave, the offense will immediately turn over to Maxey who will be tasked with quarterbacking a team that is built to win now while keeping Embiid happy in a post-Harden world. Is Maxey ready for that big of a role? Only time will tell and maybe we won’t have to answer that next year. Either way, the Sixers should offer Maxey his max extension the day he becomes eligible.