76ers counting on Maxey to form Big 3 with Harden, Embiid

Maxey is trying to form a Big 3 with Joel Embiid and James Harden. Maxey scored 17.5 points last season and helped the team in the postseason. He is getting better by 1% every day in training. He shot 79% through the first three preseason games. The group is good enough to rival the best in NBA. It includes EmbIid, Harden, Maxy, Tobias Harris and P.J. Tucker. They are trying for their first NBA title since 1983. Doc Rivers is in his third season with the 76ers.

Harden took a $14 million pay cut when he declined a contract option for this season. He signed a new two-year deal worth $33 million. The NBA launched an ongoing tampering investigation into Harden's decision.

FanDuel Sportsbook has the 76ers at 16-1 to win the NBA championship. Only Boston, Milwaukee and Brooklyn are better in the East. Joel Embiid has 7-2 odds to be NBA MVP.

The Sixers open the season at Boston on Tuesday. They play their home opener against Milwaukee on Thursday. The Sixers play 17 games in March.