Following months of drama and speculation, the Philadelphia 76ers can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the James Harden saga has come to an end. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the three-time NBA scoring champion has been traded to the LA Clippers, granting his wish to leave the Sixers. The news caught head coach Nick Nurse by surprise, as he had slept through the call informing him about the deal. However, Nurse expressed his excitement about moving forward with a revamped team.

With the departure of Harden, forward P.J. Tucker, who started the first three games, and reserve forward Filip Petrusev, Nurse woke up to a different roster. Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the trade, both the coaching staff and players have maintained their focus on the task at hand.

Tyrese Maxey, who has been impressive in the first three games of the season, officially takes over Harden's role as the point guard of the team. Maxey and his teammates believe in keeping the main thing the main thing and have shown determination to succeed. Nurse commended the group's preparedness and their ability to stay focused amidst the distractions.

The end of the Harden saga has lifted a cloud of uncertainty that has lingered over the 76ers organization for months. Since Harden requested a trade to the Clippers and accused 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey of dishonesty, the team has been dealing with various setbacks. Harden missed media day, skipped the opening day of training camp practice, and took a 10-day absence for personal reasons during the preseason.

Now, the Philadelphia franchise can finally turn the page and concentrate on building a future centered around their star player, Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP of the league. Additionally, Tyrese Maxey has been recognized as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, showcasing his exceptional performance with an average of 30.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.

Although the 76ers declined to offer Maxey a rookie contract extension, it was not a reflection of their faith in his abilities. Rather, the team prioritized maintaining flexibility in order to explore potential free agency options next summer. This decision aligns with the team's focus on reshaping their roster around Embiid, who currently stands as the only player on a guaranteed contract for next season.

As the team looks towards the future, Nurse emphasized his priority of focusing on the present and preparing for their upcoming game against his former team, the Toronto Raptors. He expressed his satisfaction with the team's current state and the progress they have made. Nurse particularly commended Maxey's growth as a floor general and distributor.

Despite the absence of Harden, Maxey expressed his gratitude towards his former teammate for instilling confidence in him and teaching him valuable lessons about professionalism in the league. The young guard thanked both Harden and Tucker for their guidance and support.

The Philadelphia 76ers can now move forward with a renewed sense of stability and a clear focus on their goals. With Joel Embiid's leadership and Tyrese Maxey's breakout performances, the team aims to build on their strong start and continue their journey toward success.