Let’s Talk About Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey has looked amazing thus far this preseason. In two halves of action, Maxey has 41 points while shooting 71% from the field. If Maxey can take this kind of leap now in his third year that would be incredible, and the Sixers would have to start thinking about an extension.
After being the 21st pick in the 2020 draft, there wasn’t much of an expectation for Maxey entering his first season. Maxey was buried on the bench but forced his way into playing time by the middle of the season and even ended up getting playoff minutes after earning the trust of Doc Rivers. It wasn’t until last season we started to see some serious star-like potential in the guard from Kentucky.
After being thrust into action amid the Ben Simmons holdout, Maxey dazzled and instantly became a crowd favorite. Maxey’s work ethic makes him a perfect fit for the city of Philadelphia. In his first year, he was a below average three point shooter, which if you recall was a big knock coming out of college. In one offseason he turned himself into one of the league’s best shooters from three taking the jump from 30% to almost 43% last year, but that’s not all.
Maxey stared in almost every aspect of the game, his defense is top tier and his ability to contort and maneuver his body to finish at the rim is something of magic.
There is no doubt that this is Joel Embiid’s team, but Maxey may be the second best thing when you take into account the future. If Maxey takes yet another leap this season and makes the all star team, it would not be surprising to see the Sixers start thinking about signing Maxey long term. He has proven time and time again that he is perhaps the hungriest and most devoted player on this team and that kind of work ethic does not just disappear when he gets locked up. Locking up Maxey after this year when he becomes eligible would be a smart decision and one the Sixers should legitimately consider before his price yet again rises next year.
Tyrese Maxey has forced the Sixers’ hand in considering him to be a cornerstone piece of this franchise. The Sixers have already gotten back their value on a 21st pick in the draft and if there were to be a redraft of the 2022 class, Maxey would surely be a top five pick. The city loves him, he loves the city, and it’s only a matter of time before he is locked up long term.
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Categorized:Sixers