Tyrese Maxey has become one of the most exciting young stars in the NBA, a player whose electric pace, relentless energy, and positive personality have quickly won over the Philadelphia 76ers’ fan base. The 24-year-old guard’s rise reached a milestone at the end of the 2023–24 season, when he was awarded the league’s Most Improved Player.
Heading into 2024–25, expectations were higher, especially as the Sixers faced long stretches without franchise centerpiece Joel Embiid. In that role, Maxey carried heavy responsibility, delivering a career-high 26.3 points per game to show his ability to stand among the league’s most dangerous scorers.
Yet behind the scoring surge lay a problem that continues to concern the organization. Maxey’s three-point shooting percentage fell to 33.7 percent despite an increased workload from distance. He attempted a career-high 9.2 three-pointers per game, but the results weighed heavily on a team that finished the season ranked fourth-worst in the league at 34.1 percent from beyond the arc. The shortcoming was particularly painful for a franchise projected to contend for the Eastern Conference Finals at the start of the year.
Sportsbooks adjusted their outlook on the 76ers accordingly. As of early September, most top sportsbooks had cooled on the Sixers’ title outlook. FanDuel listed Philadelphia at +4500 to win the NBA Championship, while ESPN BET showed a slightly more optimistic +3300. BetMGM had the Sixers drifting from +3500 at open to +4000. For the Eastern Conference crown, DraftKings posted the team at +1000. In terms of playoff chances, both BetMGM and FanDuel offered prices in the range of -250 to -225 to make the postseason. Their regular-season win total hovered around 42.5 to 43.5 wins, depending on the book, with slight favoring toward the under.
Maxey’s slashing game and coast-to-coast attacks remain his greatest strengths, though he is often frustrated by what many perceive as one of the poorest whistles in the league when it comes to drawing fouls. In the absence of reliable perimeter efficiency, defenses collapsed into the paint, challenging him to settle for jump shots more often. His shooting form had been adjusted in the offseason with the guidance of skills coach Drew Hanlen, but the transition into game action proved inconsistent.
The team’s injury situation factored into the betting movement. Paul George had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on July 14, 2025, and the team stated he would be re-evaluated before training camp. Joel Embiid underwent knee surgery in April 2025, and reports in August indicated his status for camp was uncertain. On September 3, 2025, Sportsnet reported that rookie guard Jared McCain, who had been recovering from a meniscus issue, was on pace to participate in training camp.
Despite these concerns, Maxey showed progress during offseason workouts. In September, a video surfaced of him training with Hanlen and hitting 45 out of 50 three-point attempts in a session, after just three warm-up shots. Hanlen shared the footage on social media on August 29, writing that Maxey asked for three practice attempts before attempting 50 shots and proceeded to hit exactly 45.
For context, @TyreseMaxey walked in the gym & I asked him how many 3s he could make out of 50 without warming up. He said “give me three practice shots (he made all 3) then I’ll make 45/50,” which is exactly what he did. Elite NBA shooters don’t miss in empty gyms! https://t.co/Nz7wX3tVQg
— Drew Hanlen (@DrewHanlen) August 29, 2025
The progress illustrates how far Maxey has come since his rookie season in 2020–21, when he shot 30.1 percent from beyond the arc. Over five seasons, he improved his career average to 38.1 percent, showing he can turn weaknesses into strengths through work and consistency.
Maxey’s name has also appeared in individual award markets. His MVP odds are currently listed around +20000, reflecting the steep climb in a crowded field. He’s also seen as a second-tier contender for the Clutch Player of the Year award, priced at +1800 at BetMGM, behind names like Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards. While not favored, these numbers acknowledge his contribution, especially if the team is again without key stars to open the season.
The 76ers will open their season on October 22 on the road against the Boston Celtics. Early betting lines from Fox Sports and Sportsnet have Boston favored by 1.5 to 2 points, with a total around 222. Moneyline prices for Philadelphia are between +110 and +112.
Maxey is known for his steady work ethic and his motto of getting “1% better every day.” He has already turned himself into an All-Star-level player and is now one of the most important names on the Sixers’ roster. If he can knock down threes more consistently, it will open up driving lanes, forcing defenders to respect his outside shot and giving him more chances to get to the basket.
