The Philadelphia 76ers will not sign talented guard Tyrese Maxey to a rookie-scale extension this summer, according to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne.
That means Maxey will become an unrestricted free agent next summer once the Sixers offer him a qualifying offer.
Maxey is one of the best young players in the NBA. He averaged 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists this past season while shooting 48.1% from the field, 43.4% from beyond the arc and 84.5% from the free-throw line.
In the 2023 playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, Maxey put up 20.5 points, 4.8 boards and 2.3 assists per game. The Sixers lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games despite having a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Doc Rivers was fired as head coach and replaced by former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyrese Maxey & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Philadelphia drafted Maxey with the 21st overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Kentucky. The Dallas native has career averages of 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
“This is not viewed as a condemnation of Maxey or a reflection of how the team values him, with the team continuing to view Maxey as a long-term core piece,” Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice wrote about the Maxey situation. “The lack of an extension would come down to the flexibility Philadelphia can maintain by holding off on a deal, potentially clearing a pathway to another max slot next summer.
The Sixers are currently dealing with the James Harden trade request. The former MVP opted into his 2023-24 player option with Philly and is working with the organization on a trade. Harden wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyrese Maxey & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
If Harden gets traded, Maxey’s usage rate will increase next season. He would practically become the No. 2 option on offense behind superstar center Joel Embiid.
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