Tyrese Maxey further established himself as one of the NBA’s most electric guard talents in Year 6, posting career-best offensive production for a Philadelphia 76ers squad that defied early expectations come playoff time.
Now entering Year 7 as the lead ball handler on a revamped, star-studded 76ers roster featuring newcomers LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Maxey reportedly has a clear pathway to landing a five-year, $389 million supermax contract extension. The staggering figure sparked mixed reactions across the NBA world, with many debating the two-time All-Star’s true value.
Tyrese Maxey’s Potential Supermax Candidacy Splits NBA World
In his 2027 NBA free-agency preview published on Tuesday, ESPN’s Bobby Marks touched on the two “supermax candidates to watch” in the 2026-27 season, Maxey and Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards.
Marks outlined the benchmarks Maxey will have to meet in order to earn a supermax deal and how he could maximize his earnings by waiting until 2028.
“Maxey was named All-NBA in 2026 but was not eligible to sign a supermax extension this offseason with the Philadelphia 76ers because he was one year short of seven years of service,” Marks wrote.
“If Maxey is named All-NBA (or MVP or Defensive Player of the Year) this season, he would become eligible to sign a four-year, $301 million extension in the 2027 offseason or a five-year, $389 million extension in 2028. (Maxey would automatically be eligible to sign the five-year extension via All-NBA selections in two out of three seasons.)”
While few were surprised by Edwards’ mention, the possibility of Maxey earning an average of $77.8 million per year turned heads.
Though Maxey averaged a career-high 28.3 points per game this past season and helped lead Philadelphia to a first-round playoff upset over the Eastern Conference’s second-seeded Boston Celtics, the 76ers have yet to make a conference finals appearance since drafting him in 2020.
Moreover, Brown and longtime Philadelphia cornerstone Joel Embiid are both operating on supermax contracts, complicating the franchise’s financial outlook.
“Can’t wait to see how the Sixers plan on paying Jaylen Brown’s extension and Maxey’s supermax while somehow keeping Embiid,” a Celtics fan page wrote.
Can’t wait to see how the Sixers plan on paying Jaylen Brown’s extension and Maxey’s supermax while somehow keeping Embiid.
— CELTICS ☘️ BANNER 19 (@BiggLynch) August 4, 2026
“Big mistake if he gets the supermax. He’s great, but he’s not a top 7 guy, and you can’t give those type of players supermax deals; it cripples your franchise,” another warned.
Big mistake if he gets the supermax. Hes great but hes not a top 7 guy and you cant give those type of players super max deals it cripples your franchise
— . (@BigBlindBets13) August 4, 2026
“NBA money is starting to become ridiculous,” one observer asserted, pointing to the longstanding trend of players signing record-breaking deals.
NBA money is starting to become ridiculous
— NoahCoops (@NoahCooperSSM) August 4, 2026
“He’s not worth that,” another weighed in.
He’s not worth that
— Trendsetta (@DRtheSETTA) August 4, 2026
On the flip side, others anticipated such an investment paying off for the 76ers. One user drew a comparison to Jalen Brunson, a fellow 6-foot-2 shot creator, who just spearheaded the New York Knicks’ historic 2026 title run.
“I’m a Knicks fan, and he may be better than Brunson…,” the account suggested.
I’m a knicks fan and he may be better than brunson…
— Chris Reilly (@C_Reilly5) August 4, 2026
“2 [All-NBA] selections and 2 championships loading,” one user predicted.
“If Tyrese Maxey delivers us a title, give him a blank check for all I care lol,” a Philadelphia supporter quipped.
If Tyrese Maxey delivers us a Title give him a blank check for all I care lol.
— Mike From Camden (@cavemanrhetoric) August 4, 2026
The new-look 76ers are looking to end a 43-year championship drought, with the organization’s last title coming back in 1983, well before Maxey was born. If Maxey and Co. can get over the hump, any debate surrounding his next contract could quickly become an afterthought.
