The Philadelphia 76ers enter the offseason filled with the hope that they can finally inch closer to championship contention, something that has eluded them in recent years despite touting very talented rosters.
Thanks to this latest development though, it seems like the 76ers are headed in the right direction, signaling that the franchise is not only thinking short-term despite their loud and resounding win-now edict across the entire organization.
Tyrese Maxey’s looming extension brings the 76ers one step closer to contention
Multiple sources have bared that the 76ers and Tyrese Maxey are inching towards a max extension that will see the first-time All-Star earn north of $204 million for the next five years, an expected, yet pleasant turn of events for a partnership that didn’t seem headed to a lucrative one in his early years with the franchise.
Maxey, 23, was hailed the Most Improved Player this season thanks to a very strong season where he registered nightly averages of 25.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. He stepped up to the plate after James Harden’s unceremonious exit from the team, and continued shouldering that load before turning it up even more during Joel Embiid’s lengthy absence due to injury.
The incoming fifth-year guard was shoehorned into an unfamiliar role this season, finally taking on the mantle as the team’s main point guard on a full-time basis for the first time in his career. His playmaking was leaps and bounds better than in previous campaigns while his scoring remained potent on all three levels despite much-increased usage and defensive attention.
One thing’s for sure though — Tyrese Maxey is here to stay in Philadelphia and he will be a defining part of the team’s championship vision. Hopefully, his partnership with Joel Embiid (and other potential joiners) as the franchise’s centerpieces culminate into a much-awaited title.