The Philadelphia 76ers should refuse to move 23-year-old emerging guard…

The Philadelphia 76ers’ opportunity to get aggressive is approaching. Teams can begin negotiating with rival free agents at 6 p.m. ET on June 30.

The Sixers have just three players – Joel Embiid, Paul Reed, and Ricky Council IV – under contract. Tyrese Maxey is a restricted free agent but will land a $205 million max contract once they allocate their available cap space, per The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith  Pompey on June 4.

If things break their way, Maxey’s will not be the only max the Sixers hand out in free agency.

“Both the 76ers and Magic, sources said, are prepared to lavish [Paul] George with four-year maximum contracts,” Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer wrote on June 30.

The 76ers can offer George a four-year contract worth up to $212 million. Fischer notes that the Utah Jazz remain as a potential dark horse threat to land George. But the Sixers have already been mentioned among the teams the nine-time All-Star is planning to meet with this offseason.

“Sources believe Philly is the frontrunner to acquire the 6-foot-8, 220-pounder. However, the Orlando Magic, another potential destination, cleared up available cap for him. And you have to wonder if he’ll remain in Los Angeles if the Clippers give into his demands for a fourth year,” Pompey wrote on June 29.

“The nine-time All-Star will meet with the Sixers, Magic, and Clippers shortly after free agency begins at 6 p.m. Sunday.”

George, 34, averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season.