Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe Could Create 76ers' Next Major Dilemma

The Philadelphia 76ers are going to have a huge decision on their hands in the coming years. No, not with LeBron James or even Joel Embiid. (Although a decision on Embiid’s future may be looming.) But the way that VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey are performing this season could mean that the 76ers have to decide on what to do with them.

It’s well known that Maxey will more than likely be eligible for a supermax deal if he keeps on this pace of averaging over 25 points the season. However, the real mystery will be Edgecombe. Even though he is in his second year, the way he is playing, the front office may want to pay him sooner rather than later. 

Now, it’s clearly not going to be in the cards now considering the 76ers are flirting with the first apron, but it doesn’t hurt to look at what it would take to keep these two together.  Maxey is going to warrant over $380 million, possibly $400 million. Edgecombe has already had his third-year option picked up, so he’s with the team no matter what. However, if they settle on paying Maxey what he deserves, it could lead to Edgecombe being on the outs. The problem would be finding someone who contributes the way Edgecombe does, and that's hard to come by, which is what makes him such a valuable player. 

It’s either that or they shed quite a bit of cap space by dealing with another big name, like Embiid. That’s the troubling thing about the way these contracts line up.  Truthfully, Embiid may be the best option to shed here. James would most likely return if this season shows any sign of promise. 

So, there's James, Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and Edgecombe who could return. But they will have to remove Embiid and maybe do a restructure to keep themselves out of the first apron. What makes this even tougher is that there will be teams who actually have the money, who will try to pry Maxey away from the team. 

Philadelphia may have to do something they don’t want to do, breach the first apron. Even though it would limit what they can do down the road, this team wants to win a championship right now. In order to do that, they have to at least keep most if not all of their starters intact. There are changes they can make to the bench, but with what they have now, it’s easier to air on the side of caution. 

The 76ers may be focused on this season alone, but if they want to keep the window open, they’re going to have to look to their future now.