76ers' Tyrese Maxey Hailed As 'Legitimate' All-NBA Player by Exec, 'Really That Good'

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey's hot start to the 2025-26 season has made a significant impression on at least one NBA insider.

Speaking to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, an anonymous Eastern Conference scout said, "He's a legitimate first- or second-team All-NBA player now. Even with [center Joel] Embiid's injury issues, they could still be in the conversation for a top-six spot in the East, because Maxey is really that good."

Since going 21st overall in the 2020 NBA draft, Maxey has shown marked improvement in each of his six NBA seasons.

In 2023-24, Maxey was named the NBA's Most Improved Player and he earned his first career All-Star selection, as he averaged 25.9 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.

He followed that up with a career-high 26.3 points per game last season, although injuries limited him to 52 games in what was a nightmare season for the Sixers.

Through 17 games this season, Maxey is putting up MVP-caliber numbers, as his 32.2 points, 7.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game would represent career highs over a full season.

He has also been highly efficient, shooting 47.0 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from beyond the arc despite his high volume.

Although Embiid has been limited to six games due to a knee injury and subsequent management of that ailment, the 76ers are 9-8, which is a significantly better pace compared to the 24-58 record they posted last season.

When healthy, Embiid has been the 76ers' unquestioned top player for the past several seasons, but that may not longer be the case, as Maxey has put the team on his back so far this season.

Philly still faces an uphill climb in terms of contending in the Eastern Conference since a 9-8 mark is only good for 10th place right now, but with Maxey leading the way, the Sixers are a dangerous offensive team that opponents may not want to see in the playoffs.