Is Tyrese Maxey Ready to Take the Next Step?
With the father time slowly tracking down Joel Embiid and James Harden all but gone from the team, does Tyrese Maxey have what it takes to be Embiid’s counterpart this year and beyond?
Maxey was drafted out of Kentucky as a player with a ton of talent but with some serious question marks, and his first year showed just that.
Over the last two seasons, the now 22-year-old has put up back-to-back impressive campaigns with significant improvement showing that he was not just a one-year wonder; he has the potential to be a top player in the NBA.
With the drama surrounding the Sixers with James Harden and what a potential return might look like, it begs the question is Maxey ready to become a superstar in the league?
Things are setting up perfectly for Maxey, who will not be extended this offseason in order to give the Sixers more financial flexibility this year, according to Daryl Morey. But there is a big chance Maxey will be able to be the second option in Nick Nurse’s offense this upcoming season and earn himself a big payday if he can come through.
Maxey has shown time and time again that he can score in the league, but what has been missing has been consistency. The Sixers aren’t going to hand out another max deal to a player who lacks consistency, ala Tobias Harris. For Maxey to truly solidify himself as a cornerstone of the franchise, consistency is the key. There were too many times over the last couple of years when Maxey had disappeared in big spots where the Sixers needed some offense, but it slid under the radar as Embiid, Harden, and Harris were the ones making big money; that will no longer be the case.
All in all, Maxey has earned the opportunity to show whether or not he can be a co-star to Joel Embiid and make himself a big contract next offseason.
Maxey has shown improvement for three years straight now, and it’s fair to assume that this year will be no different.
Photo: Getty Images
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