​The Philadelphia 76ers are poised to take another step forward in the 2026-27 season as they chase their first championship since 1983. Under the leadership of new President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey, Philadelphia is focused on constructing a roster capable of dethroning the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference and returning the franchise to the mountaintop. Gansey’s first free-agent move was to add Dean Wade on a three-year deal. The 7-year veteran out of Kansas State is a low-usage big man who makes a tangible impact on both ends of the floor. In the 2025-26 season, Wade averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 36.2% from three, finding his niche playing alongside an elite guard like James Harden.
“Playing with James, I mean, he’s such a good passer,” Wade said. “I think people forgot about that. He’s willing to get off the ball and make plays for everybody else, and playing with James Harden was super, super easy. He made my job really easy. He’s a bigger body. So, we just kind of switched everything on defense and kept everyone in front of us.” Wade’s addition to Philadelphia pairs him with Harden’s protégé, Tyrese Maxey, creating a dynamic backcourt and frontcourt mix designed to maximize versatility.
Wade is eager to share the floor with Maxey, praising the 22-year-old guard’s explosive speed. “I’m really excited to play with Tyrese,” Wade said with a smile. “He’s maybe the fastest person I’ve ever tried to guard. He went by me a couple of times because he’s just ridiculously fast. His growth from his first couple of years to last year was remarkable. Playing against him, he was the head of the offense, and we had to try to slow him down, but I think his biggest growth came from getting off the ball and making other people better. I’m excited to see his next step.” Maxey isn’t Harden, but he learned a great deal from the future Hall of Famer during the 1.5 seasons they shared in Philadelphia. The two guards remain in contact, and Maxey clearly models much of his game after Harden. In the 2025-26 season, the 2-time All-Star posted averages of 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds.
Wade sees Maxey as a perpetual threat who can post big numbers while drawing attention on the floor. “He’s always going to be able to go out and get his points,” Wade noted. “He’s so fast, so skilled; he can do everything. I believe his next step will involve teams doubling him and him making plays for everyone else, and I know he can do it. He did it against us plenty of times, but I’m excited to play with him. I think having someone space the floor a bit more on the three-point line and widen the paint will greatly benefit him.” For Wade, the key is competition and accountability—qualities that Maxey embodies on every possession. Wade is eager to join a team that prioritizes resilience and the relentless pursuit of victory, and he believes that pairing with Maxey will elevate Philadelphia’s ability to close games and compete at the highest level.
Beyond Wade, the 76ers aim to surround Maxey with shooters, length, and defensive versatility, ensuring there are enough dynamic options to keep teams off balance in the half court and in transition. As Gansey continues to shape the roster, Philly fans have reason to believe that the 2026-27 season could mark a turning point in the franchise’s pursuit of sustained excellence and a long-awaited championship. Wade’s addition signals Philadelphia’s commitment to an aggressive, competitive mindset—one built around a young, rapidly improving Maxey and a supportive cast that can capitalize on opportunities created by Harden’s legacy of playmaking and leadership. The path to the top remains arduous, but the Sixers’ latest moves reflect a clear intent to climb back into the contender conversation and chase the ultimate prize.