08/22/2026
Tyrese Maxey says waiting for his first major NBA contract while watching his peers get paid was one of the hardest things he's had to deal with.
And honestly, it's easy to understand why.
Maxey had already put in the work. He had started games, come off the bench, dealt with injuries and constantly adjusted his role while trying to prove he belonged.
So when other young players around the league started getting rewarded financially, Maxey naturally wanted the same thing.
“You see your peers get paid. You see your peers reap the benefits that they deserve.”
He admitted that it could make him feel like he had failed himself, especially after everything he had put into becoming the player he was.
But Philadelphia asked him to wait another year.
And even though it was difficult, Maxey says he understood why.
Looking back, he believes the decision ultimately worked out for both sides.
The Sixers got more financial flexibility, and Maxey eventually got his payday.
But there's another part of his quote that makes the story even more interesting.
Maxey said he now feels like he's sitting there with one of his teammates because of that decision.
The sacrifice wasn't just about waiting for money.
It was about understanding the bigger picture and trusting that the opportunity would eventually come.
Maxey got his contract.
And Philadelphia got another piece of its future.
(via Podcast P)
