The Sixers’ number one priority has always been getting another superstar next to Joel Embiid. It was supposed to be Ben Simmons, but he never reached those heights. For a bit, it was James Harden, but he forced his way out because he didn’t like having to be a team player. And the question all offseason was who could the Sixers trade for that can be that second Superstar next to Embiid. Names like Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, and Zach Lavine have all been brought up at some point. But what if the answer is already on the team? Because in the first 9 games, Tyrese Maxey sure looks like a superstar.
Is it way too small of a sample size? Yes. 9 games is not enough to crown any player. But with all of that said, it has been a damn good 9 games. Including Sunday night where he put up 50 points on the Pacers, a new career high.
The good news is, the Sixers have plenty of time to figure out if this early season greatness is real or not. You cannot trade a player until 60 days after acquiring them. And any type of big trade they make will probably include at least some of the players they just acquired in the Harden deal. Harden was traded Oct 31st. So they would not be able to make any move until January anyway.
So over the next month and a half, the play of Maxey could have huge implications on what they need to do before the trade deadline. Because it Maxey is still playing like this, he is the second Superstar. And then you are looking for someone to complement the both of them. That player would not necessarily have to be an elite scorer. They just need to be another good player who fits into what the Sixers are currently doing.
Just how good has Tyrese Maxey been? Here are some of the numbers that make his case for being a Superstar:
