The Philadelphia 76ers have shown “no inclination” to include Tyrese Maxey in a trade for Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, according to ESPN’s NBA front-office insider Bobby Marks.
The Sixers are not expected to pursue a Lillard trade since everyone in the NBA knows Dame only wants to play for the Miami Heat.
Maxey is one of the top young players in the NBA. He averaged 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season for the Sixers while shooting 48.1% from the field, 43.4% from beyond the arc and 84.5% from the free-throw line.
In the 2023 playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, Maxey put up 20.5 points, 4.8 boards and 2.3 assists per game. The Sixers lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games despite having a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Doc Rivers was fired as head coach and replaced by former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyrese Maxey, Damian Lillard, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Maxey has career NBA averages of 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He was the 21st overall pick in the 2020 draft and has turned into a fan favorite in Philadelphia.
The Sixers are currently dealing with James Harden’s trade request. Philadelphia agreed to search out a trade upon Harden’s request after the talented guard picked up his $35.6 million player option for next season in June.
However, the Sixers’ asking price for Harden was steep and no teams were willing or able to meet it. In 58 games last season, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from 3 and 86.7% from the free-throw line. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyrese Maxey, Damian Lillard, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
If the Sixers trade Harden, Maxey’s usage rate will increase next season and the youngster could make an All-Star team if he puts up stellar numbers.
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