For the past eight years, expectations in Philadelphia have been nothing short of sky-high. The 2017–18 season, the dawn of the Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid era, felt like the breakthrough fans had been waiting
for. The Sixers had arrived. They’d finally turned the corner, and for the first time in years, it felt like sustained success was within reach.
But ever since, the standard has been clear: championship or bust. And with that standard has come a familiar cycle — promise, pressure and ultimately, disappointment.
That didn’t change last summer when the Sixers made their biggest gamble yet, signing Paul George to a massive deal in hopes of finally breaking through. Instead, the move backfired spectacularly. The team cratered, delivering one of the most disappointing campaigns in modern franchise history.
The Sixers had little to show for their most ambitious free agency period in years — aside from a trip to the lottery. Fortunately for them, the ping pong balls finally bounced their way. Philadelphia landed the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a selection that became VJ Edgecombe.
Fast forward to now: the 2025–26 season is officially underway, and just one game in, it already feels like last year’s misery may not have been for nothing. Edgecombe wasted no time announcing his arrival, torching the Celtics for 34 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in his debut.
It wasn’t just an impressive first outing, it was historic. No rookie has opened their career with a performance like that since the 1950s. Suddenly, after years of frustration, the Sixers might have something real to build around again.
And it doesn’t stop with him.
Since establishing himself as a cornerstone in Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey has been the subject of constant scrutiny — fairly or not. Last season, he was thrust from Robin to Batman, carrying the Sixers’ offense with mixed results. The supporting cast didn’t do him many favors, either. Beyond an aging Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon, guard depth was almost nonexistent. Quentin Grimes eventually joined the rotation, but injuries kept him and Maxey from ever sharing meaningful minutes together.
The result was predictable. Opponents blitzed Maxey relentlessly, forcing him into traps and double-teams night after night. Some games, he looked every bit the rising star ready to take the next leap. Other nights, the weight of the offense seemed too heavy to bear.
Still, like Edgecombe, the Sixers’ season from hell may have laid the groundwork for something greater. With or without Joel Embiid and Paul George, the Sixers finally have legitimate help around him — and in the season opener, Maxey made it clear he’s still ascending. He torched the Celtics for 40 points and six assists, answering every blitz with poise and aggression.
In the grand scheme, it’s just one game out of 82. But this opener felt like more than a win — it was a glimpse into the future. This season isn’t really about this season; it’s about laying the foundation for what’s to come.
Maxey and Edgecombe already look poised to become one of the league’s most dynamic backcourts for the next decade. Though their partnership is still in its infancy, the chemistry between them is undeniable. They play off each other naturally — Maxey’s pace and poise blending seamlessly with Edgecombe’s explosiveness and instinct.
Edgecombe has already taken pressure off Maxey, creating spacing and setting him up with cleaner looks. In return, Maxey has shown an early knack for finding Edgecombe on cuts and in transition for easy buckets. It’s a small sample size, sure, but it’s hard to watch their debut and dismiss it as a fluke. Especially with it being so early into the partnership.
The foundation may start with Maxey and Edgecombe, but it certainly doesn’t end there. Jared McCain is expected to return in the coming weeks, and his presence could be a major boost for this evolving Sixers core.
Edgecombe has already thrived with NBA spacing, even without McCain and George in the lineup, and his game should only open up further once they’re back in the mix. If McCain’s rookie season was any indication of what’s ahead, the Sixers could soon have three dynamic guards to build around — a young trio capable of defining the franchise’s next era.
None of this even touches on some of the Sixers’ other promising young players, who have shown flashes at various points: Adem Bona, Johni Broome and Justin Edwards. Even the team’s two-way players, Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker, are still under 23 and look like legitimate rotation contributors.
The Sixers might tell you they are contending right now, and to some degree, that’s true. But this season is less about immediate results and more about figuring out how the young pieces can work together and complement each other in the years to come. With their protected draft pick likely to be lost, the team has strong incentive to push for the postseason and get Maxey, Edgecombe and the other young players reps in high-leverage situations. Developing chemistry and learning how to perform under pressure this year could pay dividends in the years to come.
This isn’t a season to measure in wins and losses. It’s a season to measure in growth, cohesion and potential. If Maxey, Edgecombe and the rest of the young core can continue to develop alongside returning pieces like McCain and eventually George, the Sixers could be laying the foundation for a contender that lasts far beyond any single campaign. The promise of this team isn’t about this season — it’s about what comes next.
