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Stephen A. Smith says the 76ers won’t beat the Celtics in the playoffs.

One prominent media member thinks that Philadelphia 76ers star guard Tyrese Maxey should consider leaving the Sixers after the team was swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

During a recent episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith urged Maxey to consider leaving the Sixers due to the clear dysfunction in the front office following the ouster of president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.

Stephen A. Smith says Tyrese Maxey Should ‘Strongly Consider’ Leaving 76ers

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 11: ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith during Game Three of the NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum on July 11, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Smith thinks that Maxey was put in an unfair position by Morey and the organization when they failed to upgrade the roster at the trade deadline despite Maxey’s immense workload.

“I think it’s something that he needs to strongly consider,” Smith said of Maxey leaving the Sixers. “It’s got to be deflating and disappointing. He led the league in minutes this year at 38 minutes a game. He was the fifth-leading scorer averaging over 27 a game. The guy is a spectacular player and Daryl Morey put him in a pinch. There’s no way around it. I like Daryl Morey, I respect him but he’s been too addicted to analytics for too long.”

Maxey still has three years and over $120 million remaining on his current contract with the Sixers, so the only way for him to leave the organization would be by demanding a trade, and that seems extremely unlikely.

First of all, Maxey just doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would demand a trade, especially away from the organization that drafted him. Plus, he was just given the keys to Nick Nurse’s offense last season and he’s coming off of his best professional season. Sure, there have been some organizational issues, but Maxey has been thriving on the court. It seems unlikely that he’d want to walk away from that.

Tyrese Maxey Preparing for Fatherhood

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 26: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles and points as he becomes the franchise leader in three point baskets made during the first quarter against the Miami Heat at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

It’s going to be an eventful offseason for Maxey, but not because of basketball. The star guard is expecting his first child with his girlfriend, Myra Gordon, and that’s his main focus heading into the summer.

“Listen, I’m just gonna be complete honest with y’all, I’m about to debrief by going back to the crib, and, you know, I’m blessed about to be a father. So, I’m happy with that,” Maxey said at his season-ending media availability.

“I’m ready to go home and then just see how that’s like. That’s just, honestly, the facts of it. Hell a season, had a great time playing basketball, and now this just brings a life challenge that’s going to be great.”