Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Two months from training camp, and Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Tyrese Maxey is already in the lab, waiting for LeBron James. Before James inked a two-year deal, Maxey had spoken to LeBron during the summer, as VJ Edgecombe alluded to Tyrese possibly knowing. Either way, he's ready to get to work.
Maxey posted a picture of himself at the 76ers' practice facility on his Instagram story, bragging about beating James to it.
Tyrese Maxey beat LeBron James in getting to the Sixers' practice facility earlier this morning 😲
(via @TyreseMaxey) pic.twitter.com/D2aRG70uc8
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 6, 2026
After losing to the New York Knicks 4-0 in the second round of last year's playoffs, clearly Maxey is eager to get started with the 76ers' off-season additions such as James. The NBA's all-time leading scorer surprised many when he announced he was heading to Philly. While the Sixers were reportedly a top-3 choice for LeBron, following his former teams, the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavs, the Sixers won the sweepstakes.
James agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal, as he believes that teaming up with Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Edgecombe gives him his best chances to win a championship in the final stages of his future Hall of Fame career.
VJ Edgecombe on Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James joining the 76ers
While 76ers All-Star Jaylen Brown can't stop smiling about 2026-27, VJ Edgecombe talked about the anticipation for LeBron James' decision this summer. Tyrese Maxey made his pitch to James amid free agency, which Edgecombe believes Maxey might have known about the decision before it went public, he said, per ESPN.
“See, I don't know, I don't know LeBron,” Edgecombe said. “I love LeBron don't get me wrong. I just never, like I've met him, obviously we've played against each other. Obviously, I would say that's who I looked up to when it comes to basketball; that's one of the reasons why I started playing ball when he was in Miami.
“I keep calling Tyrese [Maxey], and I was like, ‘Are we getting Bron? Are we getting Bron?' And Tyrese is like, ‘Bro, I don't know.' Like, ‘I don't think so.' But he knew the whole time. But he ain't want to tell me. That's what I feel. I might be wrong.”
Edgecombe was constantly checking in with Maxey for updates about LeBron's decision, as VJ grew up a diehard fan of James, and now they're teammates.