There is no single factor that will determine the success of the Philadelphia 76ers next season. That is pretty clear. At this very juncture, everyone knows that it would take a collective effort from every part of the roster and the coaching staff to get the team back to its regular footing as one of the most formidable squads in the league.
After all, this team has way too many talented players to just languish at the bottom of the food chain. But of course, getting back to the top is much easier said than done — the 76ers are, by themselves, more susceptible to a crash than most other ball clubs due to their fragile core.
From Joel Embiid still being a seven-foot question mark and Paul George aging quicker than expected to the front office still finding new ways to perplex fans, Philly has a lot of swing factors that will heavily influence their turnout next season. But actually, the most impactful part of the equation might be something which a lot of people have been overlooking.
Would you be surprised if we peg Tyrese Maxey as the main X-factor for the 76ers next season? Well, you shouldn’t be.
The 76ers’ success next season will largely depend on Tyrese Maxey
In view of the murky statuses of two of their best players, the 76ers should already operate under a design where Tyrese Maxey is their nominal leader and No. 1 option. And in doing so, the All-Star guard should feel the attendant responsibility to take his game to new heights.
Last season, Maxey averaged a career-high 26.3 points per outing, yet it was a unanimous view that his non-inclusion in the All-Star Game was perfectly warranted. After all, despite his impressive counting stats, the 24-year-old really struggled a lot last season, especially efficiency-wise.
In addition, he was a bit over his head when the push came to a shove. During clutch situations, he would force the traffic a lot, resulting in some frustration from the fanbase about his decision-making as a scorer. His lack of progress as a playmaker also did not help.
For these reasons, Maxey will be a huge key to the 76ers getting back to the playoffs and then some. If the team sees the Maxey from 2024-25, their chances of returning to the realm of collective consciousness will be much higher. Otherwise, it could be a rough trek for the team just to make it to the playoffs.