James Harden Has High Hopes for Tyrese Maxey's All-Star Chances

James Harden didn’t leave the Philadelphia 76ers on a high note, but he’s maintained close relationships with players he competed with over the past year and a half. Count Tyrese Maxey in as one of the players Harden remains tight with following the blockbuster trade that sent the ten-time All-Star to the Los Angeles Clippers last week.

On the very day of the trade, the Sixers returned to their practice facility in Camden, New Jersey, for a routine session. The only difference was PJ Tucker, Filip Petrusev, and Danny Green weren’t around, as they were involved in the deal in some capacity.

The young guard Tyrese Maxey addressed reporters for the first time following the trade that day. As expected, Maxey had nothing but positive things to say about his former teammate.

“I texted him and told him I love him — told him I appreciate him,” Maxey told reporters last week regarding Harden. “One thing that he really instilled in me is confidence. I always been a confident person, but he made me even more confident than I already was. I appreciate him for that. He took me under his wing. Taught me a lot of things, just being a professional in this league and how things go. I appreciate him, and I love him.”

When the Sixers traded for James Harden midway through the 2021-2022 season, Maxey had the opportunity to start alongside Harden, learning from a proven top-tier talent in the backcourt. In 2022-2023, they grew as a duo, and Harden helped Maxey achieve a career year during his third season on the Sixers.

Now, Maxey is set to succeed Harden, who forced his way out of Philadelphia. Although Harden admitted he hasn’t paid attention much to the 76ers this season, he’s not shocked to hear that Maxey is once again taking another step in his development.

“I can only expect great things from Tyrese, just because of the amount of work I know he puts in,” Harden told reporters in New York City ahead of his Clippers debut. “He’s in the gym. He loves it, so the results are going to happen for him in a great way. I’m excited for him. Hopefully, he can have an opportunity to make an All-Star team and really show his game. I’m definitely excited for his growth and his maturity.”

Last season, there was some All-Star hype behind Maxey early on in the season, but it quickly faded after the young guard suffered a foot injury, which kept him off the floor for 18 straight games. This season, Maxey is back in the conversation as his first six games of the season are once again impressing the masses.

Without Harden, Maxey is thriving by putting up over 25 points per game while drilling 39 percent of his threes. He might not lead the league in assists per game, as Harden did a season ago, but Maxey improved greatly in that area, as he currently averages seven per game.

If Maxey can maintain this high level of play, he should certainly be in the conversation to gain his first All-Star bid. Harden, who won’t be around to help or witness, hopes Maxey makes it happen.