Very rarely things have gone right this season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
At 18-27, Philadelphia is currently in 11th place in the eastern conference with February just three days away. If the season was to end today, Sixers would not even make the play-in tournament, a hard insight for a team that has reached the playoffs seven years in a row.
Philadelphia may be starting to go some driving, but since 76ers have won three games in a row for just the second time this season thanks to a victory 118-104 over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday evening.
The spearhead for Filadelfia’s potential turn has been Tyrese Maxey. Not 2023 MVP Joel Embiid, not acquisition of stars outside the Paul George season, Maxey.
And that’s exactly who Sixers should build around.
Maxey broke out for 43 points against the Lakers and has an average of 31.6 points, 3.5 returns and 7.0 assists during their last 11 matches – Numbers that all fan bases would like to look out of their team no 1 option. And thinking, Maxey would simply be a sidekick for Embiid and George here 2024-25.
Embiid has not even taken the floor since January 4.
Meanwhile, you never really know which version of George you will get a nightly basis. He was able to set up 25 points as part of a double double that he did in back-to-back games against New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic earlier this month, or maybe he only delivers 11 points on 11 shooting attempts, something he did it January 21 against Denver Nuggets.
Embiid cannot be traded this season since he signed an extension with Sixers back in September, but George can, and he should.
This season, believe it or not, is still rescued for Philadelphia. It’s just a game behind the Chicago Bulls for the fourth and last play-in spot, and if 76ers locks it, anything can happen.
Philadelphia should no longer have the title hoping it had once entered the season, but coming to the post season would at least give Sixers a glimpse of what Maxey could do at that time of year when he is seen as the Guy.
But First Philadelphia must be honest with itself. Bringing in 34-year-old George on a four-year, $ 212 million contract last summer was a terrible decision. Terrible. If you still don’t think it was, take off the rose -colored glasses and realize that we are not 2019 anymore. Apparently the 76th did not receive that message, and now it bites them behind.
Teams that are willing to spend for George are out there, and you can bet that they will be active during the trade deadline on February 6.
When George is outside the door, Philadelphia should get started to make sure Embiid is the next. Then it is time to give the keys to Maxey and hope that Jared McCain will continue to develop when he is healthy-the two guys should be the basis for what hopefully ends up in a new appearance Sixers.
As a fan of Celtics, I am absolutely good if Philadelphia wants to rely on a one -leg Embiid and a geriatric George for many years to come. A smaller team to worry about in the east for Boston.
