The Philadelphia 76ers’ acquisition of Tyrese Maxey in the 2020 NBA Draft was the result of a winding and unpredictable journey involving multiple trades and strategic moves over several years. Maxey, now emerging as a leading scorer and making his first NBA All-Star Game start, has helped the Sixers return to the playoff conversation with a career-best season.
The unfolding of events began long before Adam Silver announced Maxey’s name on draft night, tracing back more than six years to a significant trade that initiated a chain reaction culminating in the Sixers selecting the Kentucky guard.
Early Moves to Accumulate Draft Assets
On February 20, 2014, the Sixers, amid their “Process” of rebuilding, began amassing draft capital by trading Spencer Hawes to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This deal brought Earl Clark, Henry Sims, and two second-round picks originally belonging to Cleveland and Memphis into Philadelphia’s possession.
Later that summer, on June 26, 2014, Philadelphia used one of these Cleveland-derived picks to draft Jerami Grant at No. 39 overall. Grant contributed as a role player for over two seasons with averages of 8.2 points in 24.2 minutes per game before moving on to a longer NBA career as a starter who has surpassed 20 points per game in multiple seasons.
Trading Up and Acquiring Future First-Round Picks
Early in the 2016-17 season, precisely on November 1, 2016, the Sixers traded Jerami Grant to bring in veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova and secured Oklahoma City’s 2020 first-round pick, which was top-20 protected. This meant the pick would only transfer to Philadelphia if the Thunder fell outside the top 20 in draft order.
On June 22, 2017, Philadelphia swapped this 2020 first-round asset along with Brooklyn’s 2020 second-round pick to Orlando, in exchange for the rights to Latvian center Anžejs Pasečņiks, who later played only 28 NBA games with Washington and did not become a significant contributor.
Reacquiring the Crucial First-Round Draft Pick
In a pivotal move on February 7, 2019, the Sixers regained the 2020 first-round pick from Orlando, packaging it along with Markelle Fultz — the No. 1 overall 2017 draft pick who struggled to stay healthy — to the Magic. This trade also included Jonathon Simmons and rights to Cleveland’s second-round pick coming to Philadelphia.
This reacquired draft pick was the key piece that allowed the Sixers to select Maxey in 2020.
Challenges for Maxey Before the Draft
The road to the draft was complicated by external factors as well. In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly canceled the NCAA Tournament, preventing Maxey from showcasing his talents in college basketball’s most visible event. At Kentucky, coached by John Calipari, Maxey had averaged 14 points and contributed to winning the SEC regular-season title. The tournament’s cancellation, coupled with restrictions on in-person pre-draft workouts, complicated Maxey’s exposure to NBA teams.
Fortuitous Circumstances Secure the Draft Pick
In August of 2020, a late-season victory by Mike Muscala and the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Miami Heat in the NBA’s pandemic bubble added a surprising twist. Muscala’s critical late three-pointers helped the Thunder climb in the standings, moving out of the top 20 in draft order. This outcome ensured the Thunder’s first-round pick would convey to the Sixers under the previously agreed terms.
Tyrese Maxey Selected After Dropping in the Draft
On November 18, 2020, the Sixers capitalized on their fortunate positioning by selecting Tyrese Maxey with the 21st overall pick. Despite his talent, Maxey fell past 19 teams that passed on him, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, who had two chances to select him.
Significance of Maxey’s Development for the Sixers
Tyrese Maxey’s rise from a late first-round pick to an NBA All-Star starter highlights both the value of the Sixers’ long-term draft asset management and their adaptability through uncertain circumstances. The series of trades spanning six years, combined with unexpected outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately helped Philadelphia secure a young guard who has become crucial to their offensive game plan and playoff ambitions.
As Maxey continues to grow and lead the Sixers, his story underscores the unpredictable nature of the NBA draft and the ways teams can benefit from strategic patience and a bit of luck when building a roster. The Sixers’ gamble on him is already paying dividends, and his presence will likely influence the team’s trajectory for years to come.
