Ranking the Sixers’ young core — 1. Tyrese Maxey
There’s not much to argue here, frankly. Both Springer and Thybulle are important building blocks, but Tyrese Maxey is far and away the Sixers’ most important young player. In fact, he’s one of the team’s most important players, period. Once you get past Joel Embiid, not many players on the roster can match Maxey’s blend of talent and fit.
It will probably take another season or two for Maxey to fully settle in. He’s still an inconsistent defender and a limited playmaker. He puts constant pressure on the rim — as much as any player in the league, actually — but until he becomes a more comfortable lead initiator, Rivers will have to limit Maxey’s playing time.
That said, the moment is coming. Maxey’s work ethic is almost legend at this point, and his willingness to adjust on the fly and mold his game to the modern NBA game has been extremely impressive. He’s a smart, intuitive player who understands what it takes to maximize success in the NBA. If anyone is going to make the necessary tweaks to his game, it’s Maxey.
Long term, the Sixers will rely heavily on Maxey’s ability to penetrate the defense and create shots in the halfcourt. If he becomes a league-average pull-up shooter from 3, then it’s game over. He’s already better than most guards his size at finishing inside. The only consistent answers defenses have is sagging off and daring him to shoot, which didn’t work too well in Summer League, where Maxey delivered a healthy dose of attempts from range.
There’s generally a natural ceiling on 6-foot-2 guards, but Maxey’s quickness, skill level, and arc of improvement are impossible to bet against. He’s going to be good for a long time, and is probably already the Sixers’ best bench player. Expect big things now, and five years from now.