NBA Exec Says VJ Edgecombe Might Be 76ers' 2nd Best Player By End of 2025 Season
Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard VJ Edgecombe is seen as a perfect fit for his new team, and some feel it won't take very long for him to emerge as one of the top options.
ESPN's Jeremy Woo spoke to an NBA executive who projects Edgecombe to be one of the Sixers' best players in his rookie year.
"VJ might be Philly's second-best player by the end of the season, factoring in [Joel] Embiid's uncertain health," an Eastern Conference GM said. "He's that good and will thrive playing in Nick Nurse's system. "
The Sixers selected Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick in last month's draft, picking him over highly-touted wing Ace Bailey. While Bailey's scoring ability led many to project him as a future star, Edgecombe's two-way skills made him more of a fit on Philadelphia's roster, which is led by the star trio of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George.
Edgecombe wasted no time in showing that the Sixers made the right pick. In two Summer League games, he averaged 21.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals. He had a dominant performance against Bailey and the Utah Jazz, dropping 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks.
After Philadelphia's disappointing 24-58 finish to the 2024-25 season, Edgecombe's arrival provides optimism that things will turn around in a big way next year.
