The Philadelphia 76ers refuse to trade Tyrese Maxey, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, who would almost certainly be enticing enough for Portland to trade Damian Lillard.
"Prime Michael Jordan is available, don't call. 25-year-old LeBron James is available, lose our number. Giannis Antetokounmpo says I want to be a Sixer, if Tyrese Maxey is the ask just keep walking. Tyrese Maxey, I have been assured will not be traded."
Windhorst believes Maxey is the "prime" piece that could land Lillard in a trade, if the Sixers were willing to give him up.
Maxey, 22, is entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal, but the Sixers are reportedly not going to extend Maxey this summer, providing them the maximum cap flexibility possible.
Of course, pairing Lillard with Joel Embiid is enticing and many fans would like to see that happen. The "go for it" mindset as Embiid enters his 30s makes sense.
The apprehension to give up an ascending 22-year-old guard is understandable, too, however.
If the Sixers are unable to win a title with Embiid and Lillard (which is far from a guarantee, and frankly, they would still likely wouldn't be the favorites in the East) and lose Maxey in the proceed, their future is likely shot and "The Process" must begin again, at least to some degree.
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