NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2024 in New York City. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 112-106 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Point Guard Tyrese Maxey, 23, agreed to a 5-year $204 million max extension with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 20th pick in the 2020 NBA draft out of Kentucky has become the Robin to Joel Embiid‘s Batman and developed into the second star Philadelphia hoped their former free agent signings would be. Last season, he became the straw that stirred the drink on a 76ers team that missed Embiid down the stretch due to injury and carried them to the postseason before losing to the New York Knicks in the first round. Even in the series loss, Maxey entered playoff lore with a 46-point overtime victory in game five to extend the series back to the city of Brotherly Love.
With Paul George agreeing to a four-year $212 million deal, there is a new big three in the Eastern Conference as the top teams try to load up to take down the Boston Celtics. Each of the Sixer’s best players brings something different, and Maxey will be tasked with pushing the ball in transition and leading the offense.
The point guard has improved each year as he earned his max contract. He averaged 25.9 points per game in his fourth season in the league and continued his streak of increasing his scoring output after every campaign since he entered the NBA. Along with his scoring, he led Philadelphia in assists with 6.8, almost three more than he averaged last year. Daryl Morey believes that Maxey’s ascension warrants a massive deal and that the Kentucky guard has yet to reach his ceiling.
Maxey played 70 games last season but never a complete regular season. With Embiid and George’s injury concerns, the Sixers are gambling on the health of their new trio.
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