Remember when Joel Embiid said he won’t play back-to-back games? It drew criticism from fans and the former players. Even his leadership was questioned. But later, everyone understood why the statement was made in the first place. The 2023 MVP was shut down just after 19 games due to a persistent knee injury. This offseason, the Process underwent a surgical process and even lost some weight to be healthy. However, the team is not solely relying on him to lead the charge.

Joel Embiid, across 10 years, has played more than 65 games just twice! Just last season, he played 19 games of the 76ers’ 82 regular-season games, missing a staggering 63 contests. So, it’s understandable why the team is looking at other leaders in the team. The name is Tyrese Maxey. [Maxey has] really stepped up into a big leadership role as he has in the past,” Daryl Morey told Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice at a fundraising event Saturday. The Sixers executive had nothing but good things to say about the strides he’s made as a leader, as he hosted Shane Battier’s Take Charge Foundation.

Since being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020, Tyrese Maxey has had a slow but steady rise to prominence. Last year proved to be a breakout year for the 24-year-old. Though he battled injuries throughout the year, it didn’t stop Maxey from continuing to increase his production. Across 53 appearances last season, the Sixers star averaged 26.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. This marked his second straight year above 25 PPG.

So, it’s understandable that Maxey gets the praise for being the leader of the team. “But, I could see him even becoming a more out-front leader of the team this year,” said Morey. This directly comes after we are seeing a visible change in Joel Embiid’s physicality. Social media has already labeled him “Slimbiid,” and the 31-year-old was already without a knee brace during a recent training montage.

Previously, the 7x All-Star “begrudgingly” wore the support on his left knee, and it was the same knee in which he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in February. A healthy Embiid can light up the league and the chances for the 76ers to be a playoff team once again.

The change of leadership guard was already underway as Joel Embiid was recovering

Embiid and Paul George appeared in just 18 games last season due to injuries. This led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 24-58 record in the 2024-25 season. Plus, a few months ago, their HC was not sure when their MVP center would actually return. Even now, there is no guaranteed date for Embiid to return. With these factors in mind, it’s understandable that the team is looking for someone else to be the voice in the locker. Ramona Shelburne reported previously on how the younger players are positioning themselves to seize the moment.

“All the videos I’ve seen, all the word I get out of Philly is that Tyrese Maxey, and [Jared] McCain, and the younger guys like VJ Edgecombe—they’ve all been in the gym all summer long.” The ESPN veteran further added, “And these guys, Embiid and Paul George, missed a lot of time last year—that young group, they may not wait, [the Sixers] may not be able to wait.” So, Maxey didn’t wait for the official approval to be the leader; he took this role and ran with it.

The Franchise spearheaded a workout with Edgecombe, Kyle Lowry, and Trendon Watford, which took place during the summer at 6 a.m. at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, NJ. Last season, too, we found glimpses of Tyrese Maxey taking over as Embiid was absent with his injuries. Last year’s rookie, Jared McCain, explained once, “Since I got drafted, he’s been texting me to always keep my confidence, always be myself. It’s easy to take his advice coming from someone like him.”

This actually proved that he should obviously be the future of the Philadelphia 76ers. That role didn’t affect his production last season, plus he was there to help the rookies at any given point.