How 76ers star Tyrese Maxey can become a top-five PG next season

It was clear going into last season that James Harden was done being a part of the Philadelphia 76ers and despite initial doubts about the franchise’s ability to find a taker, Philly was able to finalize a trade to send him to the LA Clippers as early as October.

That meant an increased role for Tyrese Maxey. After being shoehorned into the role of a Robin overnight, he did not disappoint as he saw increases across the broad from points, rebounds, and assists, finishing the season averaging 25.9 markers, 3.7 boards, and 6.2 dimes per outing on 45/37/87 shooting splits, winning the Most Improved Player trophy.

He elevated his game in the postseason, as in six games against the New York Knicks, he registered just under 30 points, five rebounds and almost seven assists on 59.5 true shooting percentage. His surge in the playoffs included a 46-point Game 5 performance where he scored seven points in the last 1:40 to force a rubber period and ultimately force a Game 6.

Maxey showed he belonged in the conversation of elite point guards in the association, but that could be something that gets much firmer at the end of next season.

How 76ers star Tyrese Maxey can become a top-five point guard in the NBA next season

Prior to the Kyle Lowry signing, point guard Maxey was in full effect and throttle. In games with Embiid and prior to his injury, Maxey was averaging 6.8 assists a night, a 0.6 increase compared to his season average (6.2), and a 1.2 increase when compared to the games played after signing Lowry (5.6).

Maxey’s improvements as a passer and at using the attention he commands on drive attempts to find open shooters were on full display last season. Even better, his ball security was on fleek as he ranked in the 100th Percentile in Turnover percentage, coming in at just 6.6 percent.

This past season, Maxey tallied a 9.3 Box Creation value, which is an estimate of open shots created for teammates when drawing the defense's attention, putting him in the 94th Percentile in the NBA, an 3.3 increase from last season, showing Maxey has become more comfortable in his increased role as an offensive igniter.

With Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic having already established themselves as bona fide elite point guards, Damian Lillard becoming more comfortable playing alongside Giannis after a full season together, and Ja Morant returning after only playing nine games last season, it's going to be tough for Maxey to break into the topf0ve discussion, but it's not outside the realm of possibility.