What Way Are The Sixers Going To Go This Off-Season?
The question of what players should stay or should go or who fits best with whom are all legitimate when it comes to the Sixers. But in order to answer those questions none of them really matter until you answer this one: Do you want to try to win it all now or do you have more of an eye towards the future?
Yes, this conversation surrounds one player when it comes to the Sixers, and that is third-year guard Tyrese Maxey. The rise of the 21st pick in the 2020 draft has been special, culminating with his averages of 20.3 points, 48 percent field goal shooting, including 43.4 percent from three-point range this past season. For any organization, he would be a marvelous piece to grow with. But is he for the Sixers’ organization?
The talk all holiday weekend when it came to the Sixers surrounded the availability of Portland’s Damien Lillard and the chances that he could land here in Philadelphia. While the desired landing spot for the future Hall of Famer is Miami, Philadelphia certainly has more assets to offer the Blazers than the Heat, and perhaps more than anyone in the league.
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The key asset being Maxey. Reports say the Sixers and President Daryl Morey aren’t willing to part with the 22-year-old, and there could be some logical arguments that will go in that direction. There could also be arguments made as to why they should go after Lillard, the soon-to-be 33-year-old who averaged a career-high 32.2 points last season and has been an all-star in seven of his 11 seasons. Does a team with Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Damian Lillard make them closer to a title than one with Maxey? Oh, yeah. Is that what Morey and the rest of the organization want?
From their previous moves – acquiring Harden, and signing P.J. Tucker – it would appear to be a resounding yes. And yet, they don’t want to part with a young player who seemingly has plenty of upside? That is the conundrum surrounding Morey and general manager Elton Brand and new head coach Nick Nurse. And even if they do make Maxey available, Lillard’s desire to play in South Beach may override anything.
The moves that will or won’t be made will define how the Sixers are looking at their present and future. The question remains, though. Do they know which way they want to go?
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