After one of the longest recorded offseasons in NBA history—at least that's the way it felt in Philadelphia, the Sixers are ramping up for training camp and the season to come.
Ahead of the start of the season, it's time to take a look at the team, position by position, and see how they're shaping up for a hopeful bounce-back season.
First up, the point guards.
The man in charge: Tyrese Maxey
There should be no confusion; this is Tyrese Maxey's team.
Joel Embiid's consistently uncertain health plays a factor, but the truth is Maxey has seized the opportunity to lead this team, and the Sixers have gone with his flow, even building the team around like-minded grinders as of late.
Youth players Jared McCain, VJ Edgecombe, Adem Bona and Justin Edwards are all in Philadelphia because the team believes in their ability, but they all also reflect Maxey's competitive spirit. Relentless workers who are constantly looking to improve, this young generation of Sixers not only look to emulate Maxey, they look for him to set the tone, a role Maxey has seemed destined for since he first came to Philadelphia.
Entering his sixth season, Maxey—like the team—is looking to bounce back in a big way after a massively different 2024-25 season. Though he averaged career-highs in points, steals and free-throw percentage, Maxey struggled with injuries throughout the year that contributed heavily to inefficiency from the field when on the court—as did a lack of supporting talent.
With a fresh start in 2025-26 for him and his teammates, Maxey is looking to take yet another leap forward while reestablishing himself as an All-Star in the league.
The sensational sixth-man: Jared McCain
Sixers fans may have Jared McCain penciled as one of the team's starting guards alongside Maxey, but that is likely a bit premature. While he has the ability to rise to that position, between his return from injury, age, lack of experience, and the size concerns of a Maxey/McCain backcourt—which is far more of a concern to Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse than it is to either guard, it seems fairly unlikely the team will rush to start McCain.
Still, he should see plenty of minutes leading the second unit and filling in alongside starters in an off-ball role fairly frequently. The offensive versatility he's shown early in his career is more advanced than even some of the Sixers' veterans, and he's proven himself to be one of the team's top shooting threats.
A starter McCain may not be, but a key cog in the team's rotation next season? He absolutely will be.
The player-coach
When the Sixers decided to bring back Kyle Lowry for his age-39 NBA season, the move was met by a lack of excitement from the fanbase. Despite claims from Daryl Morey that the team was focused on becoming younger and more athletic—which, in fairness, has occurred overall—the organization reunited with a player who is, frankly, a bit more than long in the tooth.
Still, it's not that Lowry does not provide value. He's remained a key veteran voice since his arrival, and extension of head coach Nick Nurse, and has served as a mentor to the Sixers' rising generation of players, Tyrese Maxey being the marquee example.
As long as he does not take many minutes away from Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, Lowry's presence on this team is a welcome addition, especially on the bench and off the court.
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