76ers guard reveals what he told James Harden after Clippers trade

The University of Kentucky product added that he was watching the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Orlando Magic and "getting ready to go to sleep" when he was alerted of the blockbuster on his cell phone via social media.

Harden's new team takes on its in-city rivals at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but it's unlikely that the former MVP will suit up for the contest.

The Harden trade now allows Maxey to officially take over as MVP center Joel Embiid's co-star in Philadelphia as the franchise tries to finally get over its playoff hump. Despite having the likes of Embiid, Maxey, Harden and Ben Simmons at the center of postseason groups in recent years, the 76ers haven't made it past the second round during their current streak of six straight playoff appearances.

Maxey followed up his breakout 2021-22 campaign with another solid 2022-23 season, posting a career-high 20.3 points per game across 60 contests (41 starts). He added 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds and a .481/.434/.845 shooting line last year in 33.6 minutes per game.

The 22-year-old is off to a monster start this fall, averaging 30.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists over three games, all of which are second on the team, trailing only Embiid. Maxey leads the squad in minutes per contest (38.7), and he's been one of the hottest shooters on the team, going 28-for-56 on field goals including 14-for-25 from three-point land.