The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly replaced superstar center Joel Embiid with star guard Tyrese Maxey as the face of their franchise, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
“I think the feeling is that this is Tyrese Maxey’s team, and over the summer it started to turn that page because people just frankly didn’t know when Paul George and Joel Embiid would be able to play … and so the Sixers had to pivot — and it turns out Tyrese Maxey is really good and he is the franchise now,” she said on NBA Today.
Joel Embiid Has Been Unreliable For 76ers
This news isn’t surprising at this point, as Embiid hasn’t played at least 60 games in a single season since 2022-23. The 7-footer was limited to just 19 games last season, averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 30.2 minutes per contest.
Prior to this campaign, Embiid hadn’t played in a game for the 76ers since Feb. 22 against the Brooklyn Nets. That was before he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April.
The procedure occurred just over one year after Embiid underwent surgery to repair the meniscus in the same knee the February prior. His original injury limited him to 39 games in 2023-24, and it led to the Sixers sidelining him until the last month of that regular season.
Embiid’s injury history has made the seven-time All-Star unreliable. That should go without saying at this stage of his career. His injuries have opened the door for Maxey, who is having a breakout year.
Tyrese Maxey Posting Career-High Numbers
Through 19 appearances (all starts) this season, Maxey is averaging career highs of 32.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 40.7 minutes per contest with a shooting line of 46.8/38.4/87.7.
The MVP candidate has led the Sixers to a 10-9 record (.526), good enough for ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. They currently trail the Atlanta Hawks (13-9) and Boston Celtics (11-9).
It should also be noted that Philadelphia is getting its money’s worth with Maxey. The same cannot be said about Embiid or Paul George, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers last summer.
George is making $51.66 million this campaign, then $54.12 million in 2026-27. His deal also includes a $56.58 million player option for 2027-28 and a 15% trade bonus.
The 76ers added George to form a new Big Three with Embiid and Maxey, but the trio went on to miss 134 games combined last season and played 14 games (they were 7-7) together.
They were available on the court for just 11.2% of total possessions.
Big Three Leads Philadelphia’s Salary Cap
Per Basketball Reference, the Sixers are paying Embiid, George, and Maxey a combined $450.57 million in guaranteed money. Embiid’s deal includes a $67.39 million player option for 2028-29.
Both Embiid and George are obviously not worth the contracts they signed. George has only made five appearances this season due to knee and back injuries.
Last season, George played in just 41 games and averaged only 16.2 points per game, his lowest season average since his second year in the league with the Indiana Pacers.
The Sixers also finished 24-58 (.293) and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17. Philadelphia hasn’t reached the NBA Finals since 2001.
Moving forward, building around Maxey should be the 76ers’ main goal.
