Tyrese Maxey isn’t sounding like a player ready to hand over the steering wheel just because LeBron James is in the mix.
With James and Jaylen Brown joining the Philadelphia 76ers, the natural assumption is that Maxey’s playmaking workload could shrink. James brings elite passing and a rare feel for the game, so it makes sense that Philadelphia would want to lean into that kind of talent. But Maxey’s own comments suggest he sees plenty of room to keep shaping the offense himself.
In a recent sit-down with Hoops Hype, Maxey pointed to playmaking as one of the areas he wants to sharpen heading into 2026-2027.
"I think the biggest thing that I hope to improve on is just staying consistent, staying in the flow of the game," Maxey said. "And then my playmaking as well, creating for others.
I've been trying to do that more and more as the seasons have gone by, but now I can do that at an even higher level, I feel like. And then driving to the paint, these guys all pose a threat, they all cause tension just like me, so it should be very fun."
That’s not the sound of someone who plans to fade into the background.
Maxey came into the league labeled as a shooting guard out of Kentucky, but his role has shifted more than once. In his second season, he spent a big stretch running point guard while Ben Simmons was away from the team.
When James Harden arrived, Maxey moved back off the ball. Then Harden followed the Simmons path and forced a trade, leaving Philadelphia without another high-level passer to run the show.
Since then, the offense has largely belonged to Maxey.
That’s why the reaction around the league has been split. Some NBA fans look at James’ arrival and see a clash over touches and responsibility.
Some Sixers fans have pushed back hard, arguing Maxey is at his best when he’s not the one constantly initiating. The truth, though, is that Maxey has shown he can adapt.
He’s versatile. He’s willing.
And he’s still competitive enough to want a bigger say in what happens with the ball.
The bigger theme for Philadelphia is sacrifice. That word is going to hang over the 76ers as they sort out roles for next season. Not every star will get exactly the job he wants, and the team will have to find a workable balance between everyone’s strengths.
Maxey appears to understand that his usage may change, but he’s also making it clear he still sees himself as a creator.
For the 76ers, that’s a good problem to have - provided the group buys into the approach and Nick Nurse can keep the offense pointed in the right direction.
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Sixers New Big Three Just Sent An Early Message
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For a team trying to turn a headline-grabbing overhaul into something workable, those kinds of first impressions matter. James praise of Maxey also adds another layer to why this partnership feels different, with the veteran pointing to Maxeys dedication as part of what helped bring him to Philadelphia in the first place. The talent is obvious, but the more interesting question now is how fast that comfort turns into something the Sixers can rely on when the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]