The Philadelphia 76ers have very lofty expectations next season. While they turned in the fifth-worst record in the league in the previous campaign, among all lottery teams, they arguably boast the most ample collection of talented players. In fact, many pundits have already them slotted in as candidates for breakout team of the year.
But aside from these expectations coming from the outside, the 76ers also have some pressure brewing on the inside, specifically with Tyrese Maxey. The All-Star guard will once again be tasked with doing the heavy lifting on the scoring end next season, especially with the team still facing nebulous situations with their two other stars in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Last season, Maxey tallied a career-high 26.3 points per game, which clocked in as the eighth-best mark in the league. Throughout the team’s carousel of lineups due to their ceaseless bouts with the injury bug, he was a constant force, although he did miss 30 games due to his own injuries and eventual rest at the latter juncture of the campaign.
Entering his sixth year in the league, the 24-year-old still has a lot of room to improve his game, especially with him now facing a lot of pressure after the team’s turnout this offseason.
Tyrese Maxey under immense pressure next season with the 76ers
The 76ers made a conscious decision to draft VJ Edgecombe in the 2025 NBA Draft, adding a very talented backcourt weapon in their arsenal. That is atop the fact that the team will also be welcoming Jared McCain back from injury.
McCain may be returning from a pretty major injury and could very deal with a lot of injury-related rust, but he is still nevertheless projected to have a big role and share when it comes to touches. There is bound to have some overlap between him and Maxey, especially since he likewise profiles as a three-level scorer who can put pressure on the defense constantly while also functioning as a secondary playmaker.
Meanwhile, Edgecombe had a spectacular showing during the Summer League, and already looks like someone who is too good not to be given ample minutes right off the bat. Sprinkle in his defensive aptitude, and you got for yourself someone who can even compete for a starting position.
Maxey is still the best bet among the team’s backcourt options. That is as clear as day. But there is little doubt that he now has a lot of impetus behind him to accelerate his growth on other parts of his game with McCain and Edgecombe looming.
Last season, Maxey turned in some of his worst shooting splits, while also confusing a lot of fans with his questionable decision-making at the most critical parts of games. That will have to change next season.
This could end up being a very good problem to have for the Philadelphia 76ers, but if Tyrese Maxey registers an unexpected decline, things could get very interesting with his future as one of the faces of the franchise.