Sixers' Tyrese Maxey guard LeBron James
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Sixers' Tyrese Maxey guard LeBron James
Every member of the Philadelphia 76ers roster will be coming into the 2025-26 season with a point to prove. The Sixers were one of the stories of last season, for all the wrong reasons.
In a bid to hit the ground running, Tyrese Maxey, who will be entering his sixth season in the NBA, has been putting in the work this summer. He’s even spent some time in Los Angeles, working out with aging superstar LeBron James.
During a recent interview with ClutchPoints, Maxey raved about the opportunity to work out with and learn from one of the greatest players in NBA history.
“I think the biggest thing is for me and what I can take from him is just his passion for the game,” Maxey said. “…This man is going on like Year 23, and he was working out and talking and involved like it was probably Year five for him, you know what I’m saying? And that’s amazing to see. I think anybody who’s able to watch him, not just work out but play, should feel honored because it’s amazing.”
Maxey continued.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve worked out with him now. I mean, that’s crazy to say, and I guess that’s how I know I am getting a little old. But yeah, it’s good work, man. It’s good work. He does a good job of talking, just being vocal, and helping. I’m very appreciative of him. He’s done a lot.”
Maxey will once again have a significant role in Nick Nurse’s rotation. He will undoubtedly be hoping his offseason work with LeBron can pay dividends as the Sixers look to bounce back.
Sixers’ Embiid Has No Timeline for Return
One thing that could hurt the Sixers to begin the season is the fact that Joel Embiid may not be cleared to play. The former MVP underwent a second meniscus surgery in April, but has yet to begin on-court activities.
During his interview with ESPN’s Dotun Akintoye, Embiid explained how there’s no timeline for his return to the Sixers rotation.
“We don’t have a timeline,” Embiid told Akintoye. “Hopefully, sooner rather than later…I don’t know how they (the Sixers) feel. The only thing I’d say is — this is a business. It’s all about the results…If I come back early enough and I’m still not myself, guess what? You’re not winning any games.”
Philadelphia will need its star player healthy if it is to have any chance of contending in a weakened Eastern Conference. Therefore, Nurse’s team will likely remain patient with Embiid’s recovery. After all, they need him for the stretch run, not the opening weeks.
Embiid Isn’t Even Working Out on The Court Yet
A recent report from The Athletic’s Tony Jones revealed that Embiid has not yet begun on-court basketball activities as part of his rehabilitation work.
“It’s been almost a year and a half since the knee injury he suffered at Golden State derailed him for most of the 2024-25 season, and Morey says Embiid is ‘on track’ to be healthy for training camp, the start of the preseason and the start of the regular season,” Jones wrote. “League sources tell The Athletic that Embiid still hasn’t returned to on-court basketball activities. That said, Morey and the front office remain optimistic that Embiid will be on the floor for the season opener.”
With Embiid likely to miss the start of the season, Maxey will once again shoulder a significant workload. Given his offseason preparations, he should be more than ready to succeed.
Still, if the goal for the Sixers is to avoid another disastrous season, both Embiid and Paul George will need to be on the court consistently. Unfortunately for the Sixers, there’s no guarantee that will happen.