Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrese Maxey is the point guard of the future

These playoffs were brutal for the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid was playing through a torn meniscus, they lost Danny Green early in the second round due to a calf injury, the bench by-and-large didn’t perform, and Ben Simmons was awful on offense. However, there’s one silver lining that came from this postseason for the Sixers.

That was the play of rookie Tyrese Maxey. Maxey has done more than enough to prove in these playoffs that he deserves to be the starting point guard next season.

Maxey is the Philadelphia 76ers starting point guard of the future.

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On the surface, his playoff averages weren’t spectacular. He averaged just 6.3 points, 1.8 points, and 1.3 assists, while converting 43.9 percent of his field goals and 33.3 percent of his 3-pointers. However, the unimpressive numbers can be attributed to spotty playing time due to a lack of consistent trust from head coach Doc Rivers and the coaching staff.

That being written, there were at least two games where he was an x-factor in the Sixers winning those games. He also scored in double-digits in four out of 12 postseason games. In playoff games he had recorded 20 minutes, he averaged 14.6 points and 1.6 assists.

Maxey has proven he can be a legit scorer in the NBA during the regular season and postseason. While he’s not a great creator for others yet, he was a trustworthy ball handler as he only recorder five turnovers in 156 playoff minutes. Which is very good if Simmons stays on the roster moving forward

Not only does the 20-year-old point guard have plenty of room to grow, but it’s also clear that Simmons can’t continue being the Sixers point guard based on his postseason failures. Whether Simmons gets traded or becomes a point forward, there’s a strong opportunity that unless the 76ers bring in an established veteran point guard via trade or free agency that Maxey will be the starting point guard next season.

With a full offseason to develop his skills, added with his already impressive potential and the situation surrounding Simmons, there’s little reason why Maxey shouldn’t be the starting point guard next season.