Tyrese Maxey initially hid LeBron James' signing for the 76ers from VJ Edgecombe

Tyrese Maxey initially hid LeBron James’ signing for the 76ers from VJ Edgecombe originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Ever since LeBron James announced that he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, the Philadelphia 76ers were one of the contenders to sign him. They had the cap space, and the prospect of playing with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid was enticing to James.

That was further amplified by the 76ers‘ ambitious move to trade for Jaylen Brown. It was an easy decision from there because this 76ers team could lead to them competing for a championship with LeBron. As the youngest player on the starting lineup, VJ Edgecombe grew up learning from LeBron, so he was excited even before the four-time Finals MVP picked Philly.

Tyrese Maxey tried hiding the LeBron James news from VJ Edgecombe

It is normal for a young player like Edgecombe to be excited about having James on the roster. He was born two years after LeBron was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, so he has only known an NBA with the King in it. 

As he grew up, VJ got to watch LeBron as one of his basketball heroes. Now, he has the opportunity to compete for a championship with him on the 76ers and in the same starting lineup. That is huge for any player, but VJ has earned his way to this unique opportunity.

MORE: VJ Edgecombe is ready to be all-ears with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James

Before the news dropped, it seems Maxey had knowledge of the situation. Edgecombe revealed that his backcourt partner was well aware of LeBron signing with the 76ers, and he hid it from Edgecombe because it was such an amazing bit of news to get.

“That’s one of the reasons why I started playing ball. When he was in Miami, but I ain’t know him. But I keep calling Tyrese, and I was like, ‘Are we getting Bron? Are we getting Bron?’ And Tyrese is like, ‘Bro, I don’t know.’ Like, ‘I don’t think so.’ But he knew the whole time. But he ain’t want to tell me. That’s what I feel. I might be wrong,” Edgecombe said to ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike.

There will come a time when Maxey will reveal how he knew, but in the meantime, the 76ers’ players are excited that they have some high-level basketball coming to town. With Brown and James joining the team, the expectations are higher, but it seems a young player like Edgecombe is ready for the new opportunity.

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