Tyrese Maxey played a big role in LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.
James and Maxey are very close friends. They have trained together several times and have the same agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group.
After Paul informed the Los Angeles Lakers that James would not return to the franchise, Maxey went to work to recruit the leading scorer in NBA history to the 76ers.
Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid recruited James to Philadelphia. James, 41, signed a two-year deal with the 76ers, who now have a lethal core of James, Brown, Maxey, Embiid and VJ Edgecombe.
The 76ers have never advanced past the second round of the playoffs in the Embiid era, which began in 2016-17. That should change next season with James in the fold next to Embiid, Maxey, Edgecombe and Brown.
Arguably the greatest player in NBA history, James appeared in 60 games last season, his 23rd year in the NBA. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game for the Lakers.
In the 2026 playoffs against the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, James put up 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. The Lakers defeated the Rockets in the first round in six games. LAL then lost to OKC in the second round in four games.
As expected, James will wear No. 23 with the 76ers. The four-time MVP, four-time champion and four-time Finals MVP turns 42 in December.
Maxey made his second All-Star team and first All-NBA team last season. The 25-year-old averaged 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. He’s one of the best point guards in the NBA.
The 76ers beat the Boston Celtics in the first round but lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2026 postseason. Maxey put up 23.7 points and 5.9 assists per game against the Celtics and Knicks.
New York will raise its 2025-26 championship banner at Madison Square Garden against James, Maxey and Philadelphia on opening night on October 20. That should be a great game.
