Tyrese Maxey has been a fan favorite in Philadelphia since he was drafted in 2020, but over the last two seasons he’s turned into much more than an energy guard. He’s the heart of the Sixers’ backcourt and, if the trajectory continues, he might finally be headed toward his first All-Star selection.
Last season, Maxey averaged 26.3 points, 6.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game, per NBA.com, cementing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic young guards. His lightning-quick first step, improved outside shooting, and growing confidence as a playmaker turned him from a complementary piece into a bona fide star alongside Joel Embiid.
But here’s the challenge: getting recognized nationally isn’t easy in the Eastern Conference guard pool. Between Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Haliburton, and Trae Young, the backcourt competition is loaded. For Maxey, that means two things have to happen: the Sixers need to win games, and he needs to continue putting up numbers that can’t be ignored.
From Philly’s perspective, Maxey’s ascension isn’t just about individual accolades. The Sixers’ offense has often slowed down in the halfcourt, relying heavily on Embiid post-ups. Maxey changes that. His speed and ability to create off the dribble give Philadelphia a gear most teams can’t match. He can push the pace, collapse defenses, and kick out to shooters, all while being able to hit big shots late in games.
Maxey’s leap last season also helped the Sixers navigate a turbulent year that included James Harden’s messy exit. Without him, Philadelphia’s offense could have stalled out entirely. Instead, Maxey embraced the challenge and proved he could be more than just a secondary option. That’s why this All-Star campaign feels different. He isn’t just the promising young guard anymore — he’s the Sixers’ engine next to Embiid.
If Philadelphia is hovering near the top of the East standings by midseason and Maxey’s numbers look anything like last year’s, it’ll be tough for voters and coaches to leave him off the All-Star roster. The bigger question might be how far he can climb beyond that. Can Maxey solidify himself as one of the NBA’s elite guards? Can he keep raising his game in the playoffs, where All-Stars truly become stars?
For Sixers fans, it doesn’t matter if Maxey is introduced as an All-Star in February or not. What matters is that his growth gives this team another legitimate cornerstone. And in a league where stars decide everything, Philadelphia might finally have found its backcourt answer for the long haul.