The next era of 76ers basketball is now officially underway, even if it technically began at the start of the 2023–24 NBA season. Following the trade that sent disgruntled guard James Harden to the Clippers, it’ll now be the Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey show. Maxey, who’s in his fourth NBA season, revealed the message he had for Harden following the news of his trade.
Maxey said he thanked Harden for everything he's taught him over the time they spent together, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
“I texted him and I told him I love him, told him I appreciate him,” Maxey said. “One thing that he really installed in me is confidence. I’ve always been a confident person, but he made me be even more confident than I already was, and all I can do is appreciate him for that.
“He took me under his wing, taught me a lot of things as far as just being a professional in this league and how things go. So I appreciate him and I love him. Same thing with [P.J. Tucker]. Love those guys.”
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Maxey has shown the clear upside of being a legitimate star through the early stage of the new season, posting averages of 30.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists over three games. Philadelphia is 2–1 to begin the year, with the lone loss coming on the road against the new-look Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and offseason acquisition Damian Lillard.
