Tyrese Maxey has already spent enough time proving he belongs at the center of the Philadelphia 76ers’ plans. Now, according to LeBron James’ own agent, he’s still the guy running the show.
On Rich Paul’s Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman, Paul made the hierarchy in Philadelphia sound pretty simple. “It’s his team,” Paul said, a line that quickly took off after Legion Hoops posted it on X.
That’s the kind of statement that gets NBA fans talking, especially with LeBron James now in Philadelphia and Joel Embiid still part of the picture. But for Kentucky fans, it was a reminder of just how far Maxey has climbed.
The former Wildcat is no longer just a productive guard. He’s the face of the franchise.
Maxey is entering his seventh NBA season, and his role has only grown. Last season, he averaged nearly 30 points per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. He also added 4.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game as the 76ers pushed toward the top of the Eastern Conference.
That run ended in a second-round sweep at the hands of the eventual champion New York Knicks, but Maxey’s production made the case that he was operating as one of the league’s best players. Philadelphia leaned on him heavily, especially with VJ Edgecombe still settling in as a rookie and Embiid limited to 38 regular-season games.
Now the Sixers’ outlook looks different with Embiid trending toward full health and James and Jaylen Brown joining to strengthen their title hopes. Even so, Maxey remains the constant at the center of it all.
Paul’s comment may have surprised some people, but the numbers and the role tell the same story. This is Maxey’s team, and Kentucky supporters have every reason to take pride in that.
In Other News...
Kentuckys Final Roster Spot Just Became A Real Calipari Debate
A federal ruling out of Colorado has added a fresh wrinkle to Kentuckys offseason roster planning, and it comes with a familiar name attached. Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted a class-wide preliminary injunction for players who graduated high school in 2022 and used all four years of college eligibility, opening the door for an extra season that had been in question as the calendar turned toward summer. Former Wildcat Denzel Aberdeen is taking advantage of it and heading back to Florida for his final year, a move that underscores just how much this decision is already rippling through the sport.
For Kentucky, the timing matters because John Calipari had already left one roster spot open while waiting for exactly this kind of clarity. Now the staff can keep weighing whether to fill it based on team needs and player health, which makes the last scholarship less of a formality than it once seemed. What happens next will depend on how Calipari balances depth, flexibility and the realities of the roster he has in front of him, with one more decision still hanging over the summer. [Read more 🡒]
Bombshell NCAA Ruling Could Reopen A Door Kentucky Thought Closed
A fresh NCAA court ruling has created an unexpected wrinkle for college basketball rosters across the country, and Kentucky is among the programs now watching closely. Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado granted a class-wide preliminary injunction that requires the NCAA to declare eligible all high school class of 2022 athletes who exhausted four seasons of eligibility this spring, opening the door for another year of college play if they want it.
For Kentucky, the practical impact could go beyond simple eligibility. Those players are also allowed to enter the transfer portal, which gives them another layer of flexibility as rosters and lineups continue to shift. The ruling may also touch some athletes who already signed professional contracts, though how it applies in those cases is still unclear, leaving plenty of room for programs to sort through the fallout. [Read more 🡒]
Jerone Morton Gives Kentucky A Backcourt Presence Fans Will Appreciate
Jerone Morton arrives at Kentucky with the kind of background that tends to resonate in Lexington. A senior guard from Winchester, he is expected to provide depth behind the Wildcats starting backcourt of Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins, and he brings plenty of experience with him after appearing in 92 career games and making 51 starts. For a team that always values backcourt steadiness, Morton looks like a useful piece who already understands what it means to wear the jersey.
Morton has also made it clear he is comfortable embracing whatever role Kentucky needs from him, whether that comes on defense or offense. There is a natural appeal in the fact that he grew up supporting the program, because the opportunity is not just another stop for him, it is a chance to contribute to the team he followed as a kid. That combination of local roots, experience and willingness to help could make him one of the more appreciated additions to the rotation. [Read more 🡒]