Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey was named a virtual lock to earn this award at the end of the season.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is playing by far the best basketball of his career.
Not only is he serving as the No. 1 option in Philadelphia this season, but he's also averaging career highs in points (28.9), assists (6.8), rebounds (4.1), and steals (2.0), all while shooting 46.9% and 37.9% from three-point range.
He was deservingly named an All-Star starter for the first time this year. Because of the way Maxey is performing combined with the number of superstars dealing with injuries this season, odds are he will earn an All-NBA Team selection.
Bleacher Report, in an article centered around bold predictions for the remainder of the season, called Maxey "a virtual lock" to make an All-NBA Team.
"The 65-game rule is rearing its head again, already eliminating LeBron James, Lauri Markkanen and Jalen Williams from eligibility for All-NBA honors," B/R's Grant Hughes wrote. "...That's bad news for those superstars, but it's a welcome development for a new crop of potential All-NBAers."
76ers center Joel Embiid is among those already disqualified from winning end-of-season awards, as the maximum number of games he can play this season is 59.
"Victor Wembanyama has already missed 14 games, which means he's close to falling below pace to hit 65. But he's the most obvious first-timer among a candidate list that also includes Tyrese Maxey (a virtual lock), Deni Avdija, Chet Holmgren, Jamal Murray, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Duren, Alperen Sengün, Michael Porter Jr. and more," Hughes concluded.
This would mark the first All-NBA selection of Maxey's career if he's chosen.
A number of the players Hughes mentioned as candidates for All-NBA were also first-time All-Stars this season, including Holmgren, Avdija, Murray, and Duren.
The 65-game minimum is one of the most controversial rules the NBA has implemented in recent memory, as a plethora of talented players miss out on awards and potential financial bonuses as a result of it.
Maxey, on the other hand, could end up as a beneficiary of the rule this season, as he's already played in 52 games.
Join The 76ersRoundtable Community
Head over to the 76ersRoundtable page and hit the "Join" button under the featured story... it's completely FREE! You'll have the opportunity to engage with other 76ers fans who live and breathe the team, share your thoughts on the organization, and more. If you're asked to sign up or download the Roundtable app... that's free too.
Anthony Pasciolla is the publisher of 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.