Tyrese Maxey agreed to a five-year, $204 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The 23-year-old player is signed through the 2028-29 season, joining the newly acquired Paul George as the Philadelphia 76ers form a formidable new Big 3 to contend with the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.
Tyrese Maxey had a breakout season, achieving career highs with averages of 25.9 points (on 45/37/87 shooting splits), 6.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. His impressive performance earned him the Most Improved Player award and his first All-Star appearance.
Joel Embiid and Maxey led the 76ers to a 47-35 record, securing the seventh spot in the East and a place in the play-in tournament. The Sixers faced the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated in six games. During the series, Maxey shone brightly, averaging 29.8 points (on 48/40/89 shooting splits), 6.8 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Tyrese Maxey’s ascent to a max-salaried star has been an unexpected journey. Selected as the 21st overall pick in the 2020 draft, Maxey initially saw limited action, playing just 15 minutes per game as a rookie and averaging eight points with a 30.1% success rate from beyond the arc.
In his sophomore season, he started 74 games and finished sixth in the Most Improved Player voting, a precursor to winning the award two years later. The 2022-23 season saw him split his time between the bench and the starting lineup, accommodating backcourt partner James Harden before taking over point guard duties following Harden’s departure.
This past season was a resounding success for Maxey, despite some defensive shortcomings that may be scrutinized now that he commands 25% of the team’s salary cap. In the first round of the playoffs, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson outshined Maxey, despite Maxey’s impressive 46-point performance in Game 5.
Maxey is still a work in progress. Joel Embiid’s contentment in Philadelphia hinges significantly on Maxey’s continued development and the team’s performance in free agency. The Sixers entered the summer with over $50 million in cap space, which they have largely utilized by signing free agents Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr.
Other:
- Kelly Oubre Jr. has agreed on a two-year, $16.3 million deal, to stay with the Philadelphia 76ers
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Cade Cunningham is in talks with the Detroit Pistons about a five-year max contract
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Naji Marshall agreed to a three-year deal worth $27 million with the Dallas Maverick
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Mason Plumlee goes to the Phoenix Suns for one year
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The Utah Jazz plan to release center Omer Yurtseve
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Luke Cornett is returning to the Boston Celtics for one year
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Max Christie is close to a four-year, $32 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers
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Obi Toppin is within reach of a four-year, $60 million contract with the Indiana Pacers
Free agency:
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chose a Bruce Brown strategy
- Kevin Porter Jr. returns to the NBA
- Paul George is leaving the Los Angeles Clippers
- Chris Paul left the Golden State Warriors and immediately found a new team
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