Heading into last season, the Philadelphia 76ers were penciled in as one of the best teams in the NBA. With the acquisition of Paul George, everyone automatically assumed they’d be a legitimate championship contender. However, with each injury, those hopes came crashing down as the 76ers finished the year at 24-58. Now, 2025-26 is shaping up to be a make-or-break year for them in multiple ways and Tyrese Maxey knows this.
Recently, Maxey appeared on “The Deep 3 Podcast”, which is powered by House of Highlights. Amongst other topics, he discussed the challenges the 76ers will face next season between their expectations and the role he’ll play as a leader in the locker room.
The 76ers need to prove it next season
Last season, Philadelphia seemingly hit rock bottom. Assuming it will have at least slightly better luck, the playoffs should be within reach again. When this was mentioned, Maxey responded honestly: “I do think that it’ll be a great bounce-back year for us,” Maxey said. “It’s not going to be given to us though. I think we’ll have to work for it.”
While this isn’t the first time Maxey said something along these lines, the fact that he reaffirmed it is encouraging. As I said, before the 2024-25 campaign, the 76ers were seen as the offseason winners and a legitimate threat to come out of the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia wasn’t able to properly establish chemistry because of injuries that plagued its roster from top to bottom.
When Maxey, Embiid, and Paul George briefly shared the floor, the 76ers’ offense looked clunky at best. Cohesion needs to be a point of emphasis heading into training camp and for that to happen, Philadelphia needs to stay healthy. Maxey knows finding success won’t happen just because the talent is there and as the 76ers’ emerging leader, it’s great he’s setting the tone. As we’ve seen recently, no matter how much firepower a team has, it doesn’t always yield success.
Maxey is ready to lead the 76ers' youth
After a nightmarish 2024-25 campaign, there aren’t too many reasons to be optimistic about the 76ers’ contention hopes this time around. But, their rising young core is reason enough to be invested for the long haul. With Jared McCain, V.J. Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, and Adem Bona on the come-up, someone has to set the example and lead them.
When this was brought up, Maxey wasn’t afraid to be that veteran: “I’m just happy to be the leader of that young core and I’ll definitely say this,” Maxey said. “One thing that I’m going to implement from day one with that group is that we’re going to work. I had V.J. and Trendon Watford in the gym this morning at 6 a.m. I want to keep it fun, I need them to be happy, but we’re going to compete. When we get on the court, our one goal is to win.”
Need I say more?