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Unfinished business or wasted opportunity? Maybe this Sixers season was both

May 3, 2024

Tyrese Maxey shrugging after not getting another call vs. the Knicks.

May 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) pleads for a foul call after a play against the New York Knicks during the second half of game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

When you took a look around the locker room after the Sixers' crushing Game 6 loss to the Knicks, it was jarring to think how many things could change in the next few months.

There sat Nic Batum, 35 years old and finishing a season that was plagued with retirement rumors. Joel Embiid interrupted Batum's media scrum to tell the veteran forward to his face that he would be coming back to the Sixers, but Batum left the door open, noting that his immediate thoughts were on the French Olympic team.

"I know it's been a tough day like the last 10 years, but if you go through like the last 40 years, that jersey is special," Batum said. "I'm very happy I got to wear it. I love the Sixers, I li...