Boston Celtics reporter: James Harden would hold down Sixers star if not traded

Long-time Boston Celtics beat reporter Steve Bulpett tweeted out during the C’s preseason-opening 114-106 win over the Philadelphia 76ers that James Harden would be holding back Tyrese Maxey if he returned to the Sixers in 2023-24 and wasn’t traded despite his trade demand — this as Maxey lit up the TD Garden with 24 points on 9/17 shooting in under 29 minutes of floor-time.

“If James Harden winds up sticking with the Sixers this season and is his ball-dominant self, the club will be poorer for Tyrese Maxey not getting enough touches,” Bulpett wrote on October 8 in a tweet/X post.

As things stand, the Los Angeles Clippers — the Beard’s preferred landing spot — are holding firm on not ceding too many assets to acquire Harden in a deal reports Shams Charania.

“Sources tell me the Clippers have been offering one unprotected first-round pick and a pick swap for (James) Harden … The Sixers have been valuing Terance Mann as well as multiple first-round draft picks,” Charania said during an appearance on “The Rally.”

Payton Pritchard was the star point guard in Boston Celtics win over Sixers

While Maxey was supremely impressive in the preseason-opening game between the two Atlantic Division rivals, it was Payton Pritchard who stole the show with a game-high 26 points and a game-icing seemingly-from-Middlesex County three with 49.6 seconds left in the fourth to put the Boston Celtics up six. That three was one of his six that he made in 11 attempts.

With Jrue Holiday in tow and Derrick White getting the starting nod at the 1, Pritchard made himself indispensable in the rotation, showing nice chemistry with Luke Kornet in the pick-and-roll and in general, creating offense for a second unit that needs a facilitator after losing Malcolm Brogdon in the Holiday trade.

Look for the newly re-signed rising second unit star to continue developing into a long-term option for Joe Mazzulla and Co.