Ranking the top 5 NBA backcourts after the Dejounte Murray trade

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 04: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on along with James Harden #1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 4, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Cavaliers 125-119, Ranking the top 5 NBA backcourts after the Dejounte Murray trade. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Ranking the top 5 NBA backcourts after the Dejounte Murray trade: 5. Philadelphia 76ers, James Harden/Tyrese Maxey

Philadelphia’s flame-out in the second round of the playoffs will leave a bad taste in the mouth of many NBA fans. A supremely talented pairing, Harden’s lackadaisical playstyle in the second half of game six would have many questioning their spot on this list.

But as horrifying as that ending was, Harden was still a productive player for the 76ers after his mid-season trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Yes, he may not be the same player he once was, but 76ers fans should still hold optimism on their backcourt duo moving forward.

The 32-year-old Harden posted 21 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 10.5 assists in 21 regular-season games for Philadelphia. He may not have the athleticism and craftiness to finish in the paint and draw fouls consistently nowadays, but that patented step-back three and playmaking vision should remain a staple of his game.

Maxey has proved a surprise packet since being taken with the 21st pick in the 2020 NBA draft. The 21-year-old averaged 17.5 points on 49/43/87 shooting splits in just his second season.

Even more impressively, Maxey was one of the few 76ers who took his game up a notch during the playoffs. He averaged 20.8 points while his more high-profile backcourt teammate shrunk under the pressure of the occasion.

Both players are incredibly limited defensively, a component that could again come back to haunt them come playoff time. There’s no doubt the addition of PJ Tucker, even if the 76ers overpaid for him, was a move to solidify Philadelphia’s defense around the weakness of their backcourt duo.