Tyrese Maxey is being projected as LeBron James’ next Kyrie Irving-type partner following the superstar’s 76ers arrival.
After becoming the driving force of the Philadelphia 76ers' blockbuster victory in the LeBron James sweepstakes, Tyrese Maxey is slated to follow a blueprint similar to the one Kyrie Irving embraced in Cleveland.
Kyrie Irving
Position PG, SG
Age 34
Height 188 cm
Weight 88 kg
Birth place Melbourne, Australia
According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, there is a significant expectation surrounding Maxey's pairing and partnership with James right after the 41-year-old superstar decided to join the 76ers.
"If you look at some of [James'] best successes that came in Cleveland with Kyrie Irving, you could see the similarities with Tyrese Maxey. But they have an established relationship. Tyrese Maxey is also a Klutch client. They've known each other for five years and worked out together, and this is where they feel it could be a smoother transition than going to another team. Because when LeBron goes somewhere else, any other superstar on that team has to adjust and adapt to playing with LeBron James. He's like a solar system onto himself. He has his own orbit. But with Tyrese Maxey, they feel this will be a smooth transition," Youngmisuk said on SportsCenter.
"They know each other very well and can play pick-and-roll. Rich Paul even said perhaps Nick Nurse will pull a page out of Ty Lue's book and use Maxey as a screener for LeBron James, while LeBron James will be a secondary playmaker, as Rich called him the best secondary playmaker in the league."
Tyrese Maxey to follow Kyrie Irving Cavs path as LeBron James joins 76ers?
Tyrese Maxey stands as one of the league's brightest stars, and his explosive guard play could definitely give LeBron James a similar dynamic to the one he enjoyed with Kyrie Irving in Cleveland.
Both James and Irving formed a formidable one-two punch tandem during their famed Cavaliers tenure, leading the franchise to its historic 2016 NBA title through three consecutive Finals appearances.
At age 25, Maxey already established himself as an elite superstar guard this past 2025–26 NBA season, averaging a career-high 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. His staggering production earned him his second career All-Star selection and All-NBA Third Team honors.
As James officially picked the 76ers as the best team possible that could help him win his fifth NBA championship, expectations are off the charts for Maxey to play a major role in the team's much-awaited 2026-27 campaign.
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