Tyrese Maxey is averaging 28.2 points through six games, but his playmaking has dropped since four stars started sharing the ball. In Charlotte tonight, without LeBron James and Joel Embiid, he has to do both jobs.
Is Maxey still the No. 1 option on a team with LeBron, Embiid and Brown?
Yes, and it isn't close. He's playing 37.5 minutes a night with a 29.0% usage rate, and his 28.2 points lead the team by 7.6 over Jaylen Brown. He also shoots well enough to justify the load: 47.2% from the field and a 58.5% true shooting mark. Whoever else is healthy, the offense starts with No. 0.
Why is his assist number down?
Because James is now running the offense. Maxey averaged 6.6 assists over 70 games the year before Brown and James arrived. Through six games he's at 4.5, with an assist percentage of 21.4%, while James averages 7.0. That's a reasonable split when everyone is available. It stops being reasonable tonight, with James out because of his back and Embiid out with a right foot injury.
Should we worry about the jumper?
Some. He's taking 7.5 threes a game and making 33.3% of them, which is below Simons and Caldwell-Pope, who are both above 40%. Against the Knicks he was 3-of-8. He had 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting through three quarters, then missed all four of his field goals in the fourth, including the finger roll that James tipped in with 11 seconds left.
Did he close that game or not?
He did, at the line. After the tip-in and an Anunoby dunk, Maxey made both free throws with seven seconds left to put it at 98-93. He finished with 27 points but was a minus-1 in 38 minutes, the worst plus-minus among the starters. He gets credit for the free throws. He doesn't get a pass on a fourth quarter with no field goals.
Is he worth the money?
Easily. He makes $40.8M this season, rising to $43.6M and then $46.4M, on a $206.6M payroll that is already over the tax line. His net rating is +8.1, and the five-man group of James, Embiid, Brown, Maxey and Edgecombe is +13.1 in 47 minutes. Plenty of guards cost more and do less.
How many points is Tyrese Maxey averaging for the 76ers?
He's averaging 28.2 points in 37.5 minutes through six games, on 47.2% shooting and 33.3% from three.
Is Tyrese Maxey playing tonight against the Hornets?
Yes, he isn't on the injury report. LeBron James and Joel Embiid are both out, and the Philadelphia Inquirer listed Jaylen Brown as questionable.
