Latest news with #Maxey
USA Today
20 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sixers star Tyrese Maxey has a message for the doubters on Twitter
The Philadelphia 76ers had a tough 2024-25 season as they were ravaged by injuries and finished 24-58 in what was a disastrous season. The Sixers will be looking for better health in the upcoming season while also looking for more success on the floor. With Joel Embiid and Paul George injured for a majority of the 2024-25 season, a lot of the pressure fell to Tyrese Maxey. The dynamic guard out of Kentucky averaged 26.3 points, but his field goal percentage and 3-point percentage dropped from previous seasons. His efficiency fell as defenses shifted their focus to slowing him down. There have been a lot of doubters about the Sixers on social media in recent weeks so Maxey took to Twitter to share a message to those who are doubting. Maxey and the Sixers still need to figure out rotations and such, but that will come in training camp in September. On paper, this is a talented roster that can match up with anybody in the East. It will just come down to whether they are all healthy or not.
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tyrese Maxey goes into detail how Trendon Watford will help Sixers
LAS VEGAS -- The Philadelphia 76ers were able to land a versatile forward in the free agency period with the addition of Trendon Watford on a 2-year $5.3 million deal. Watford averaged a career-high 10.2 points along with 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists with the Brooklyn Nets in the 2024-25 season. Watford is an interesting player who can do a lot of different things on the floor for Philadelphia. He stands at 6-foot-9, with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, can put the ball on the floor, and is able to score the ball at an efficient rate while also being able to grab rebounds and initiate the offense. Tyrese Maxey, who is one of Watford's best friends, went into detail of how the new addition can help Philadelphia on the floor. "I think he brings an element that we haven't had," Maxey said about Watford. "An element of someone who can rebound and kind of push and create, who can guard multiple positions on the other end. At the end of day, we have somebody throw the ball to in the post (Joel Embiid), like in a mismatch circumstance, and he'd get a bucket for us, for sure." To Maxey's point, Watford is a guy who can create for others. Per Cleaning the Glass, he has an assist percentage of 21.1% which ranks in the 92nd percentile. He also had a 1.2% steal percentage which shows his ability to make plays defensively leading to easy baskets on the offensive end for Philadelphia. Versatility is king in today's NBA. "I think it's me being able to play a lot of good positions," Watford added. "I can play off the ball sometimes. Me being able to just do a lot of things on the floor, I think, is big. Obviously, playing alongside three great players, Jo, PG (Paul George) so, you know, I think my versatility helps that, and, you know, my ability to just play with great players." Throw in the fact that Watford is joining a situation featuring a familiar face in Maxey, all of this has the makings of being a terrific fit for both sides. "So I think he'll do a lot of different things," Maxey finished. "I think it's the perfect platform for him to showcase his talent and help a team that's trying to win."
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Complete story on friendship of Sixers' Trendon Watford, Tyrese Maxey
CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers made a move in free agency to bring in Trendon Watford as they look to build their roster back toward championship contention. When healthy, the Sixers have as good a chance as anybody to win in the East, but it's important to build a strong roster around their star trio. Enter Watford who is a terrific passer and playmaker for somebody his size at 6-foot-9 and will look to give Philadelphia versatility, depth, and playmaking which is paramount in today's NBA. On top of filling a new needs for the Sixers, it helps that Watford has a close friendship with Tyrese Maxey. Watford stated that Maxey gave him a call in free agency, which shows how close they are, but Watford went deep into the story of their friendship. "Well, his birthday is the day before mine. Let's just say that," Watford smiled and laughed. "We were at a high school camp together in I think 9th grade. He claims that the group of guys I was with weren't really talking to him because he wasn't highly ranked yet or whatever. We locked in from that point on. My family knows his family. We ended up being roommates for I think the McDonald's game." That 2019 McDonald's All-American game was stacked with talent as Watford was on the East Team and Maxey was on the West. The two of them were able to build this friendship in high school and have been able to keep it going through college and in the NBA. "We ended up just kicking it off, man," Watford explained. "I know his sister, his uncle, his brother, everybody in the family. It's definitely an experience that we talk about and it's crazy that now we're teammates. I was able to talk some trash to him when we got the win here (in Philly) last (in Brooklyn). And now we're teammates, so I'm excited." Even as Watford was preparing for the league during his time at LSU, the two kept in contact. Maxey was a rookie with the Sixers and he talked with Watford to help him understand what's coming at the next level. Even he walked into the team's facility in Camden, NJ for the first time on Thursday, Maxey gave him a call. The All-Star guard is excited to have one of his best friends with him now in Philadelphia to keep things moving in a positive direction. "I remember talking to him my second year in college, which was his rookie year, and just talking to him about some of the stuff he was dealing with, I already had a good idea of what I was coming into," Watford added. "Man, it's great. We can't believe it, honestly. We're still in shock. He called me right before this and was like, 'Man, I can't believe you're in Philly and going to go to the facility.' It's crazy. It's crazy to be on the team right now." Now, the two friends who have stuck with each other for quite some time now will look to help the Sixers bounce back from a miserable 2024-25 season.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tyrese Maxey reacts to Sixers signing Trendon Watford to a deal
The Philadelphia 76ers made their first move of the anticipated free agency period by bringing in Trendon Watford on a reported 2-year $5.3 million deal. The Sixers will look to Watford, 24, to bring his versatile game to both ends of the floor in an effort to help them bounce back from a tough 2024-25 season. Watford does a lot of things on the floor. He averaged 10.2 points per game for the Brooklyn Nets in 2024-25 and was able to produce for a rebuilding team. Of course, the expectations will be much higher in Philadelphia than in Brooklyn, but Watford will see a familiar face in close friend Tyrese Maxey. Maxey took to Twitter to give his reaction to Watford signing with the Sixers. Watford will be looking to provide a versatile scoring option next to Maxey as he and the Sixers now look to bounce back and get back in the Eastern Conference title race.
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tyrese Maxey reacts to the Sixers selecting VJ Edgecombe at No. 3
The Philadelphia 76ers made a selection with the No. 3 overall pick as they took Baylor star VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 overall pick. The Sixers will add an athletic marvel to their backcourt and allow themselves to move forward with a faster and quicker team on the floor. Edgecombe worked out for the Sixers beforehand and was able to meet with President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey as well as star guard Tyrese Maxey who he will be sharing the backcourt with. In his first media session on Wednesday after being selected, Edgecombe gave a glowing review of Maxey from meeting with him. Maxey took to Instagram to give his reaction to the Sixers selecting the athletic guard out of Baylor to be his new teammate. One has to believe that Maxey and Edgecombe will be able to co-exist rather quickly. They are both explosive guards who can get to the basket and finish as well as having some shooting chops. Philadelphia will be looking to get both up to speed as it moves forward with this new iteration of the roster.
