During Daryl Morey’s pursuit of James Harden last January, a report surfaced that the Rockets had their eyes on Tyrese Maxey. The report went on to say Houston was rebuffed by Morey.
Over the summer, there were rumblings that Portland superstar Damian Lillard might want out. Lillard never asked for a trade, but whenever the idea of Lillard coming to the Sixers was brought up, Maxey’s name was mentioned in the return package.
When the Harden-to-the-Sixers rumors re-emerged near the trade deadline, one thing was clear: Maxey wasn’t going anywhere.
Monday night’s thrilling 113-106 victory over the East-best Miami Heat was a good reminder of why the Sixers have clung on to Maxey during his rise to stardom.