LAS VEGAS — The Philadelphia 76ers will have some questions to answer as they move forward into the 2025-26 season. While the status of superstar Joel Embiid is the biggest question of them all, another big one is who plays in the backcourt?

It’s beginning to look like the guard position is the new strength of this Sixers team. Led by a quartet of Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, rookie VJ Edgecombe, and–most likely–Quentin Grimes, the Sixers will be looking to those four to provide good minutes. All four of those guys will score the basketball. They can make plays off the dribble. They can score in isolation.

The big question is: How do they all play and get their minutes and touches?

“I think the biggest thing is everybody that you just named in that backcourt is competitive,” Maxey said on Saturday. “Extremely competitive, which is good, though, good competitive. Like Jared coming in last year at training camp, we always talked about how competitive he was, how good he was at training camp. I think that’s gonna be good for us. We need that. We gotta push each other every single day and that’s the only way we’re gonna be good together.”

Maxey, the leader of this current group, averaged 26.3 points and 6.1 assists in the 2024-25 season. He is going to be the guy who the Sixers will be looking to as it feels as if there is a shift in playstyle. While the focus will be Embiid–he is their best player–it feels as if the Sixers will be playing more up-tempo whenever they get the chance. That’s why the question of touches and minutes is an interesting one.

“I think the biggest thing is when you say touches and minutes and all that, we all got to be willing to sacrifice for each other and willing to go out there and try to help us win games,” Maxey added. “That’s what we gotta do at the end of the day, and that’s what we’re gonna do.”

While Maxey is the guy the Sixers will be looking to, the two youngsters–McCain and Edgecombe–will be in the mix as well. Philadelphia will be looking to get those two their minutes as development is a big thing with them. However, they have to earn their minutes It’s going to be a healthy competition when considering Philadelphia is also trying to vie for a championship.

“It’s competition,” McCain said. “That’s what we live for. It’s how we got to our position. So whatever it is, we’re all gonna play. We’re all gonna have fun playing. I’m just excited to get out there with these guys, and with anybody who’s on our team.”

The rookie Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, will be looking to earn his minutes as well. He has the competitive spirit and the want to win and improve so the Sixers will be looking to get him some minutes and help Philadelphia move forward.

“It’s competition, but we’re all teammates at the end of the day, and we always want what’s best for each other,” Edgecombe added. “So, whoever coaches put in the game, we’re gonna rock with it. We have faith in each other.”