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With Tyrese Maxey’s Explosion, Should 76ers Drag James Harden Situation Any Further?

Published 10/29/2023, 12:16 AM EDT

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The Philadelphia 76ers started the season under a negative spotlight as certain instances revealed their instability. A big reason behind it was the unresolved future of James Harden. The saga dragged down the public image of the franchise, but amidst recent developments, it could all change soon.

Tyrese Maxey stole the show for the 76ers in the absence of Harden on the court. This could prompt the organization to reconsider the future of James after dragging the issue for months.

The rapid rise of Tyrese Maxey

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The 22-year-old showed glimpses of his greatness in the first three seasons in the NBA. Following his impressive displays last season, the team decided to back the youngster in this campaign. After his first two performances of the campaign, it’s fair to say that their faith has paid off as the point guard ran the show.

USA Today via Reuters

Against the Milwaukee Bucks, Maxey dropped 31 points on the away court alongside 4 rebounds and 8 assists. His magnificent performance earned applause despite his team’s shortcomings against the Easter Conference opposition. It continued in their win against the Toronto Raptors as he averaged 34-6-7 in 42 minutes.

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In these opening two nights, he shot 52.2% from the field goal with an impressive 58.8% from behind the 3-point line. Despite the small sample size, these stats were well above his career average, showcasing his prowess and growth. With Tyrese turning into a potent force for the roster, one question arises automatically.

Should the 76ers keep on dragging the James Harden situation?

The short answer has to be, probably not. James requested a trade early into the off-season to get his way. It was his antics and methods that angered the management of the franchise. The 2018 MVP still tried to get his way as he detached himself from the squad entirely at one point.

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USA Today via Reuters

This move only made the situation worse as it mitigated his chances of departure. At this stage, his options also remained limited, with only the Los Angeles Clippers showing interest in landing him. The 76ers, on the other hand, had no intention of giving in to the demands of the LA side.

It only hurt the legacy of the 10-time All-Star as his methods kept on backfiring. This situation could change now as the franchise’s gamble paid off with Maxey taking command of the backcourt. Now, the 76ers could consider getting rid of Harden to protect the team atmosphere for the rest of the season.

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With the benefits of both parties on the card and James showing a willingness to compensate, the situation may be resolved soon. A half-year-long trade saga, thus, might finally reach its conclusion.

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Written by:

Sourav Bose

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Sourav is a detail-oriented NBA content writer at EssentiallySports. His passion for the game of basketball was ignited by none other than the captivating duo of Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr. As he delved into the illustrious history of the NBA, his fascination grew exponentially.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe