2025-26 Season Makes Clear 76ers’ Future Is Centered Around Maxey, Young Guard Rotation

Any doubt heading into the 2025-26 season about where the Philadelphia 76ers’ present and future are at has been answered in resounding fashion. The Sixers’ group of young guards, led by Tyrese Maxey, are executing a changing of the guard and taking over in Philadelphia.

The days of Joel Embiid and other aging veterans leading the Sixers are in the past. Embiid has played in just even of the Sixers’ 20 games so far this season. Paul George, who has battled injuries throughout his time in Philadelphia, did not make his season debut until Nov. 17. Both players, when they have been on the floor, have been playing with minutes restrictions.

Despite Embiid and George missing large chunks of time, the Sixers have an 11-9 record through 20 games this season. Maxey, as well as the team’s group of young guards, have kept the Sixers afloat and given fans hope for a bright future beyond the aging Embiid and George.

Maxey is putting up MVP-level numbers on a nightly basis. He is averaging career-highs in points (32.5), rebounds (4.8), assists (7.5) and blocks (0.9). Some games he might light up the opposition through the 3-pointer, such as when he shot 6 of 10 from beyond the arc in an early-November contest against the Chicago Bulls. Other nights he can lean more into his ability to drive to the basket and either make a layup or earn a trip to the free-throw line.

While Maxey’s on-court numbers are impressive, he is also taking on an increased leadership role. Maxey, who earlier in his career often avoided being vocal, has matured and grown to become the Sixers’ leader both on and off the court. He spoke at the team’s media day about the importance of his role in setting a new standard. Whether it is through his intense work ethic or his willingness to be more vocal out on the floor, Maxey has stepped up and become the player the rest of the Sixers roster revolves around.

“I think his leadership has taken the biggest jump,” Jared McCain said after the team’s win over the Washington Wizards, via Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports. “I feel like when you’re playing, and you’re a great player like he is, when you’re able to not focus so much on yourself and being able to lead us, focus a lot of energy on us, I think your game can get better. And so I’ve noticed that he gives us energy and that allows him to be better offensively, defensively, all of it.”

Maxey is leading the Sixers in every facet, and unlike in years past the team has effectively surrounded him with a stable of young talent. Philadelphia selected V.J. Edgecombe with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Edgecombe has gotten off to a far faster start than anyone would have expected. The 20-year old is averaging 14.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.5 blocks and 1.4 steals.

Even more important than Edgecombe’s production has been his already budding chemistry with his backcourt partner. The Maxey-Edgecombe pairing has a 7.2 net rating in 473 minutes together on the floor. Their skillsets mesh perfectly with each other. Maxey is ball-dominant and can score from anywhere on the floor. Edgecombe does a bit of everything from making highlight-reel dunks to playing strong defense to spending some time running the offense.

In addition to Maxey and Edgecombe, the Sixers also have second-year guard Jared McCain. After getting off to a slow start upon returning from knee and thumb injuries, McCain has recently looked more like his normal self. He is averaging 13.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals over his previous five games. Despite his poor start, McCain is shooting 37.5% from 3-point range on 3.6 attempts per game this season. The 21-year-old guard has regained his explosiveness, leading to an ability to attack and beat defenders off the dribble.

Jared McCain consistently found ways to beat defenders off the dribble for the first time this season in the Sixers’ win over Washington on Tuesday.

McCain: “I feel like I’n back to myself… This game, definitely felt good to beat people off the dribble.” pic.twitter.com/JRDQ7vfkjb

— Adam Aaronson’s clips (@SixersAdamClips) December 3, 2025

Quentin Grimes is also a key part of the Sixers’ guard rotation. He has the ability to score from all three levels, averaging 17.0 points while shooting 36.9% from 3-point range this season. On the other end of the floor, Grimes has the versatility and skillset to defend both guards and smaller forwards.

How will the Sixers divide up the minutes between their four talented guards? Maxey and Edgecombe would traditionally be in the starting lineup. Edgecombe is very much the glue guy when it comes to the Sixers’ guard rotation. His do-it-all skillset makes him a good fit next to Maxey in the starting lineup. When Maxey is off the floor, Edgecombe’s ability to play some minutes running the offense allows him to mix in well next to either McCain or Grimes. The Sixers, considering Edgecombe and Grimes’ defensive ability, could also mix in some three-guard lineups.

Regardless of the specific lineup construction, it is clear this Sixers team flows through their four immensely talented guards. The Sixers, centered around Maxey, Edgecombe and the rest of the team’s young guard rotation, have plenty of reason for optimism about both the present and the future.