In this new series, Sixers Wire looks at the 16 players, per Spotrac, that comprise the Philadelphia 76ers roster — 14 under standard contracts and the two players on two-way deals — and gives each three goals for the 2026-27 season.
The new season begins on Oct. 20, and training camp is right around the corner. Now is the time to begin previewing the new season of adventure that is Sixers basketball.
Up next in this series is All-Star leader Tyrese Maxey. As the No. 21 pick in the 2020 draft prepares for his seventh season in the league, he is coming off a season in which he averaged 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 46.2% from the floor and 36.7% from deep in 70 games in 2025-26.
For Maxey, his three goals are as follows:
Continue to be the leader
Despite the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, this is still Maxey's team. As he heads into year No. 7, he has taken steps forward in the leadership department as he has barked out orders on the floor and prepared his teammates for battle in the locker room. He has found his voice and the Sixers are better for it as they move forward. Sure, James and Brown will certainly set examples as they are two proven champions and such, but Maxey's voice must remain loud as he heads into this important season.
Run, run, run
The Sixers have too many athletes to play at a slower pace. When looking at the roster in terms of the athleticism department with James, Brown, and VJ Edgecombe, this should be a Sixers team that plays at breakneck speed with Maxey at the helm. The minute Philadelphia forces a turnover or grabs a defensive rebound, the idea should be to run and find easy buckets for this roster in order to find a rhythm on the offensive end. Maxey is one of the fastest players in the league with the basketball and he should lead an attack focused on utilizing the weapons on the roster.
Continue to grow as a defender
Maxey has taken leaps and bounds forward on the defensive end of the floor ever since he entered the league. He averaged a career-high 1.9 steals per game in 2025-26 and that's a number that should rise in the coming season. The additions of James, Brown, Dean Wade, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope should allow Maxey to take a few more gambles on the defensive end when considering the talent around him. A return to health for Joel Embiid protecting the basket should be a big boost as well. If the Sixers can have Maxey force turnovers and run, it would make them a dangerous group.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers 3 goals: Tyrese Maxey needs to continue being the leader
