NBA Analysts Pick Tyrese Maxey for Seasonal Award

Sixers rising star picked to win Most Improved Player

With the James Harden saga over, the biggest storyline surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers is the emergence of Tyrese Maxey. Through the first month of the season, the young guard is proving to be a star-level player in the NBA. 

Along with upping his scoring, Maxey has made great strides as a facilitator as well. As the team's lead guard now, it's on him to set the table for others. What's most impressive about Maxey's playmaking to start the year is how well he's taken care of the ball. He currently has close to a 5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio (106 assists, 23 turnovers). 

Many people in and around the Sixers have praised Maxey for his play, but the young guard is getting league-wide recognition as well. If he's able to keep up this level of play, it could lead to him securing the first accolade of his young career. 

Now that teams have a good amount of games under their belt, seasonal award debates are starting to emerge. The people at ESPN recently chimed in on who their early predictions are for each major award. When discussing Most Improved Player, Maxey was the player chosen.

Through the first 15 games of the year, Maxey is posting career-highs in points (26.3), rebounds (4.7), and assists (7.1). He's also shooting over 40% from beyond the arc on eight attempts per game.

The panel of analysts at ESPN aren't the only ones in on Maxey securing Most Improved Player this season. Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the Sixers' rising star is the betting favorite to win the award. Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is the player with the second-best odds. 

Based on his play the first month of the season, it's evident Maxey is in the midst of making "the leap." His development has always been on the fast track, but the 23-year-old is cementing himself as a pillar of the franchise now and for the foreseeable future.