The Philadelphia 76ers are having the summer of all summers. Obviously, the Jaylen Brown trade stole headlines, but now, LeBron James has taken the spotlight. And a recent report from Shams Charania of ESPN noted that the Sixers plan on using James as a point guard a lot of the time. But that’s bad news for Tyrese Maxey, and the 76ers haven’t even played a single game yet.
For the past few years, the Sixers have been at their best playing fast. More specifically, they’ve been at their best when the ball has been in Maxey’s hands. Obviously, having James (and Brown) changes that equation a bit, but this report already makes it seem as though Maxey is primarily going to be an off-ball guy next year.
That’s quite the waste of talent. Maxey should be the player with the ball in his hands more than anyone else in Philly, even with this roster.
LeBron James at point guard already puts Tyrese Maxey touches in a weird spot
There’s a real argument to be made that Maxey is the best player on the Sixers. Brown probably edges him out, and James has a case, but it’s not that crazy of a discussion.
His speed is the Sixers’ ultimate weapon. It may be the best advantage-creation tool on the entire roster. And when you add in his three-point shooting and finishing package, it makes sense why he’s so dangerous.
Yet right away, it seems as though the Sixers plan on playing James as the point guard. He’s going to be the guy who has the ball in his hands the most. He’s going to be the offensive organizer.
On the one hand, it makes sense. That’s the role James has played for his entire career. He’s always been the guy to lead the offense. The guy to set other guys up for success.
But right now, at this point in his career (42 years old) and with how good Maxey has been, it seems like a slippery slope. James should have the ball, yes. But so should Maxey.
If we are already getting reports that James is going to take over as the lead ball-handler, the lead point guard in Philly, what does that mean for Maxey? How much will he actually get the ball?
It sounds like his usage rate may end up taking a bigger hit than anyone else’s. He’s a great shooter, so he’ll be fine off the ball, but that’s also a waste of his best talents.
Maxey will obviously get the ball, but this report already puts his number of on-ball touches in question.
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