Tyrese Maxey is going to have an impact on who the Sixers target before the deadline.
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Tyrese Maxey faced off against one of the best offensive players in NBA history on the first night of play.
Damian Lillard was chosen for the All-NBA team seven times. By the end of the season, he will have amassed close to 20,000 career points and should easily find his way into the top five all-time in made threes. Last year, he was also selected for the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Even though Maxey’s team lost to Lillard’s that night, the recently turned 23-year-old demonstrated why so many in the Sixers organization hold such high regard for him and why he was regarded as untouchable in any potential trade negotiations for Lillard.
He has also made the Sixers front office appear wise by keeping him essentially untouchable through 18 games.
With the James Harden trade now completed, it begs the obvious question: With all of the trade assets at their disposal, who will Daryl Morey and company look to acquire?
Another query that might have an impact on the response to the preceding one is this one: How talented is Tyrese Maxey?
“Look, I think we’re just looking for the best we can get as we assess our needs over time,” Daryl Morey stated on November 3. “We definitely don’t like to dispel any notion that he has that chance which is exciting for him. It shows the work he put in and Joel [Embiid] has put in,” he continued. “Obviously, Tyrese his [start to the season], I don’t think it tells you where he’s gonna end up.”
Maxey is averaging 27.0 points so far this season on excellent shooting splits (46.4/39.6/89.9). Together with 6.7 assists, he only commits 1.6 turnovers per game. No player in NBA history has finished a season with an average of that many points and assists and fewer than two turnovers per game. Embiid’s ranking fifth in the NBA in win shares is not shocking. It’s amazing to see Maxey seated directly behind him at number six, ahead of players like Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Luka Doncic.
It does pleasantly complicate things as to what Morey should do with his newfound assets in light of Maxey’s ascent. Zach LaVine of the Bulls is not unheard of. The All-Star guard and Chicago appear to be eager to part ways. Is it wise to bring in a highly skilled offensive player who might deter Maxey from getting touches? All of the season, everyone will be keeping an eye on the circumstances in Toronto. Does OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakam become available? Would Anunoby, a reliable All-Defensive player with some unrealized offensive potential, mesh better with Maxey and Embiid?
