Tyrese Maxey is training with NBA skills coach Drew Hanlen during the 2025 offseason. He first connected with Hanlen a few years ago after being invited by Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Hanlen, who has worked with Embiid since the early part of his professional career, also trains Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. After spending his first summer with Hanlen, Maxey made a noticeable leap in his development.
Maxey resumed training with Hanlen after the 2024–25 NBA season, which ended with the Philadelphia 76ers finishing 24–58. The team entered the season with the fourth-best odds to win the NBA championship and a projected win total over/under of 50.5. The Sixers had signed Paul George and had championship aspirations, but instead finished with the fifth-worst record in the league.
Maxey appeared in 52 games during the season, the fewest of his NBA career. His year ended early, as he was ruled out for the remainder of the season on April 9. His last game played was on March 3.
In 2024–25, Maxey averaged 26.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. He also recorded a career-high 2.4 turnovers per game. He shot 43.7 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range, both of which were career lows.
Despite the team’s record, Maxey was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
The 2024–25 season was Maxey’s first without James Harden, who had forced a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. In the previous season, Maxey played 70 games and averaged nearly 38 minutes per game. He shot 45 percent from the field and 37 percent from three, averaging 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.
Maxey entered the 2024–25 season after signing a maximum contract extension as a restricted free agent.
As the team heads into the 2025–26 season, online sportsbooks have recalibrated their outlook on the Sixers. DraftKings currently sets Philadelphia’s regular season win total at 43.5, while BetMGM lists it at 42.5 with odds of –110 on both sides. FanDuel sets the line at 41.5, with the Over priced at –132. The team holds +1000 odds to win the Eastern Conference at DraftKings and +1100 at BetRivers. Title odds vary slightly, with BetRivers offering +3300 and FanDuel listing the Sixers at +3600 to win the 2026 NBA championship. These odds reflect a shift from preseason expectations a year ago, when the Sixers were projected as one of the top contenders.
Tyrese Maxey is currently listed at +20,000 for the 2026 MVP at several sportsbooks, which places him well outside the leading candidates and suggests a longshot position in the individual awards market.
Throughout the season, injuries significantly affected the Sixers’ roster. Joel Embiid played 19 games, Paul George played 41, and Maxey played 52. In total, the trio of Embiid, George, and Maxey played 15 games together during the season.
Maxey said on The Deep 3 Podcast that he had never previously played on a losing team at any level, including middle school, high school, or AAU. He said that the early part of the season affected him mentally and that he leaned on his parents, friends, and others in his immediate circle.
Later in the season, Maxey said his perspective changed, and he focused on helping his teammates raise their level of play. He mentioned that players like Justin Edwards and Adem Bona made progress. He said he was happy to see improvement and noted that the team won a few games before he got hurt.
Maxey said he believes the 2025–26 season will be a bounce-back year for the team, but added that success will not be given to them.
He also discussed Joel Embiid’s 2024–25 performance. Embiid averaged 23.8 points per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 29.9 percent from three-point range. His free-throw attempts averaged 8.9 per game. Embiid underwent surgery on his left knee in April and is expected to be ready for training camp. He has not provided a public recovery timeline.
Maxey said on The Deep 3 Podcast that Embiid is “special” and described watching clips with his younger brother and a friend showing Embiid performing a variety of moves, including jump hooks, step-backs, and pull-ups.
Maxey said the disappointment of the 2024–25 season motivated him more than anything before. He stated, “I’ve been motivated all my life. But that [disappointing season] motivated me to a level that I can’t even explain, honestly.”
The Sixers ended their season by losing 31 of their final 36 games. The team’s poor finish secured the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. They selected VJ Edgecombe, a combo guard from Baylor.
Maxey described his summer as “long” but said it has been “great” and “much needed.” He said the extended offseason allowed him to begin training earlier than the previous year, when contract negotiations delayed his workouts.
During the offseason, Maxey incorporated new elements into his training, including hot Pilates and hot yoga. He said, “I feel terrific. I feel lean.”
He also increased his film study, focusing on playing off the ball in different lineup combinations. Maxey said he is studying how to play with and without Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Jared McCain.
Maxey said he has spoken with head coach Nick Nurse and others about how the team can play faster and involve more players in the offense. He said the team is working on creating a more diverse attack.
