It’s time to crown Tyrese Maxey as the NBA’s Most Improved Player.

After his 51-point performance on Thursday night in Utah, Maxey is now -700 to win the MIP award.

He’s averaging six more points, 2.9 more assists and 0.7  more rebounds per game this year, and has become a true #2 option next to Joel Embiid.

Maxey’s production increase across all categories falls in line with the statistical improvements made by the last five MIPs.

Year-By-Year Increases for Most Improved Players –

  • Lauri Markkanen (2022-23): 10.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.6 APG, 5.4 FG %, 4.4 3PT %
  • Ja Morant (2021-22): 8.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 4.6 FG %, 4.1 3PT %
  • Julius Randle (2020-21): 4.5 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 2.9 APG, 13.4 3PT%
  • Brandon Ingram (2019-20): 5.5 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 1.2 APG, 6.1 3PT%
  • Pascal Siakam (2018-19): 9.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 4.1 FG %, 14.9 3PT%

Maxey garnered national attention when he earned his first All-Star Game nod, and it’s no surprise he went ballistic on the night he found out.

But is the award locked up? Here are the current odds at FanDuel:

Ranging from +750 to +800, depending on what PA sportsbooks or NJ sports betting apps you’re using, Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun is the only close threat on the odds board. Sengun is seven points per game better than last season, on average, but his rebounds are basically the same and his field-goal and three-point percentages actually dipped a bit.

Coby White is making a compelling MIP case as the Chicago Bulls’ primary ball-handler, but it’s harder to justify his candidacy because the Bulls are still in ninth place, and although going from bench player to starter is impressive, Maxey has taken a step into a different stratosphere.

The Sixers probably will not have the MVP this year, with the now-injured Joel Embiid plummeting down the board, but at least Maxey is in terrific shape to win some well-deserved hardware.