Philadelphia 76ers ‘are NOT planning to extend Tyrese Maxey’s deal this summer’

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, but the team is not planning to extend him this summer, according to ESPN.

Per the report, the team wants to delay an extension to maintain payroll flexibility — which could include trade considerations — though Maxey played a key role for the 76ers.

Maxey, 22, the No. 21 pick in the 2020 draft, will be a restricted free agent next summer.

As it stands, he will earn $4,343,920 next season, and would enter restricted free agency with a $13MM cap hold. 

Joel Embiid and P.J. Tucker are the only players with guaranteed contracts for the 2024-25 season, which means the Sixers could have two max contract slots next summer, ESPN reported.

Tyrese Maxey could be heading for pastures new as his time with the 76ers looks at threat

James Harden is another star man that looks to be leaving Philly in the coming weeks

One of the fastest players in the league, Maxey has improved in each of his three seasons, averaging a career-high 20.3 points per game last season in 60 games (41 starts). He also hit a career-high 43.4 percent of his 3-pointers last season.

ESPN reported Friday that the Chicago Bulls have been interested in Maxey with Lonzo Ball likely to miss the entire season.

It is set to be an interesting few weeks and months for the 76ers, with the Maxey news coming just a day after James Harden reportedly opted into his $35.6m deal for next season to work on a trade.

The 10-time All-Star’s future has been up in the air after the Sixers lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference NBA semifinals against the Boston Celtics.

The Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers have been linked with Harden.