Ranking every player on the Sixers’ 2021-22 roster

Ranking every player on the Sixers roster — 7. Tyrese Maxey

The presumed starting point guard in place of absentee Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey is in line for an expanded workload in his second season. The 20-year-old showed flashes in limited playing time as a rookie, but this season should give us a better sense of his overall talent and trajectory in the NBA.

Maxey’s work ethic has been universally praised, almost to the point of cliché. He has that “first guy in, last guy out” reputation, with more than enough proof to back up such claims. Doc Rivers has called the Sixers’ current batch of young talent the hardest working group of his career. There’s no doubt Maxey is leading the charge.

That said, it is fair to question just how much the Sixers can trust a 20-year-old point guard who averaged 15 minutes per game last season. At 6-foot-2, Maxey is naturally limited on defense, while his inconsistent 3-point shot and lack of a playmaking gene have hindered him in the past. The Sixers won’t have much choice, but there’s some truth to the idea that Maxey is better served leading the second unit, as opposed to the starting five.

Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Ben Simmons may not leave them much of a choice. For the time being, Maxey is in the spotlight. The Sixers will need to rely on his inhuman quickness. Maxey has already proven he can get to the rim as well as any guard in basketball. Now, it’s a matter of upping his free throw rate, cutting back on floaters, and developing as a passer.

We have also seen more pull-up 3s from Maxey in Summer League and preseason. That’s another important step in his development. If Maxey can’t consistently knock down perimeter shots off the dribble, defenses will plan accordingly. More 3s will equate to more driving room and more passing lanes.