The Philadelphia 76ers’ season unraveled in brutal fashion against the New York Knicks, who swept Philly 4-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals and exposed nearly every flaw in the roster.
The Knicks dominated physically and emotionally throughout the series, winning multiple games in blowout fashion while overwhelming the Sixers on the glass and from three-point range.
By Game 4, Madison Square Garden South essentially formed inside Philadelphia’s own arena, with Knicks fans loudly taking over during a humiliating 30-point elimination loss.
Just two days later, the organization responded by firing longtime president of basketball operations Daryl Morey after six seasons running the franchise.
Despite five playoff appearances under Morey, Philadelphia never advanced past the second round, continuing a drought that stretches back to 2001.
Former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers will oversee basketball operations on an interim basis as the franchise searches for a new direction following yet another postseason collapse.
That chaos opened the door for Stephen A. Smith to unload a bold take on Wednesday morning, saying that Tyrese Maxey should seriously consider getting out of Philadelphia.
“I think that is something he needs to strongly consider,” Smith said. “It’s got to be deflating at this point. He led the NBA in minutes this year, 38 minutes a game. He was the fifth leading scorer, averaging over 27 a game. The guy’s a spectacular player, and Daryl Morey put him in a pinch, there’s no way around it.”
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Smith argued that Maxey has been forced to carry too much of the organizational burden while Morey has obsessed over star power and analytics instead of building a complete roster around him and Joel Embiid.
Smith also argued that Bob Myers should simply keep the job permanently because his championship pedigree could stabilize the franchise and convince Maxey that the organization finally understands how to build around stars the right way.
Fans, however, immediately pushed back.
“Wow thats a big take, he probably has keys to the franchise at this point,” one user wrote.
“Such a stupid comment why would he want to leave the Sixers it’s his team now,” another added.
“Do these talking heads do any research anymore? Leave? Have you seen his contract?” another replied.
“Why? Him and VJ are the future of the franchise. Get rid everyone else. Make them all available,” one other fan commented.
“He belongs in Philly and he’s the lead guard. The money is too good for him to leave,” another insisted.
“Stephen A doesn’t ever try anymore…genuinely can’t believe people waste their time watching him. If he knew anything about Maxeys character and the outlook of the team he would know there’s no chance the team willingly trades him and there’s no chance he demands a trade,” another wrote.
“Screaming A says something stupid, in other news water is wet,” one other user replied.
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Maxey evolved from the 21st overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft into one of the league’s premier guards.
The former Kentucky standout is already a two-time All-Star and won NBA Most Improved Player honors two years ago after stepping up as one of the NBA’s best young players once James Harden left for L.A.
This season, he improved again, averaging a career-high 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game, while becoming Philadelphia’s offensive engine night after night.
He also became the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (at just 25 years old), passing Allen Iverson in yet another symbolic changing-of-the-guard moment.
Financially, the Sixers are deeply invested in him too.
Maxey signed a five-year, $204 million max extension in July 2024, a deal that keeps him under contract until 2029, making him the foundational pillar of the franchise for years to come.
From Philadelphia’s perspective, he is not just part of the future. He is the future.
Still, Smith’s point taps into a broader trend that’s been following the league for years. NBA stars increasingly care less about market size and more about stability, vision, and competence.
Philadelphia’s repeated postseason collapses, the Harden fallout, constant roster churn, and now Morey’s departure have created the kind of turbulence that can quietly wear on a franchise player over time.
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