The Philadelphia 76ers have decided not to pursue a contract extension for its rising star Tyrese Maxey, which caught many fans off guard because of how the Australian grew last season.
ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne said the Sixers decided to preserve flexibility and "preserve significant cap space next summer."
The Sixers are not planning to extend Tyrese Maxey this summer, sources told ESPN. He is still seen as a big part of their future, but the team wants to delay an extension for him to preserve flexibility.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 30, 2023
Shelbourne clarified that Maxey would remain with the team as he is integral to the team's future.
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The 21st overall draft pick played a major role in the offense of the Sixers last season after making improvements from his rookie year.
He averaged 18 points in the elimination round of the last two seasons. He was also the team's second-best scorer in the playoffs this year, behind Joel Embiid. Many expect him to become an All-Star next season.
Maxey for Lillard?
Brian Windhorst suggested that Sixers are putting the extension on hold for Maxey because they are testing the market to sign Damian Lillard.
"You wanna know why? Because they might trade him and he would be a potential piece in a Dame Lillard trade," Windhorst told Malika Andrews of ESPN.
"He would be a potential piece in a Dame Lillard trade. If you look at the teams that have interest in Lillard - Miami, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, maybe New York. Tyrese Maxey is a very interesting piece amongst all those teams. He stands out. He is a potential star in that position."
.@WindhorstESPN thinks the Sixers could add Tyrese Maxey in a potential trade for Dame Lillard 🤔 pic.twitter.com/mZoBz9mD2v
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 30, 2023
Windhorst added that the Sixers are hoping to get a good deal for Harden to improve the team, but they are not under pressure when it comes to the situation of Maxey.
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