VJ Edgecombe Talks 76ers' Lofty Expectations After LeBron James Contract, Jaylen Brown Trade

V.J. Edgecombe knows the expectations for the Philadelphia 76ers are sky-high after an offseason that saw them acquire Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to pair with himself, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

"Championship or bust. You know how it is," he told ESPN on Tuesday regarding those expectations. "Especially with a team like this. It's either a championship or 'They suck.' Proving [wrong] everyone who says we aren't going to jell, or anything like that. But I know I'm playing alongside great players, nobody has egos, we've all been in communication so I'm really happy."

Figuring out the roles in Philadelphia will undoubtedly be a process with four All-NBA talents on the roster and a future star in Edgecombe. But if everybody buys in, the upside for these Sixers is immense.

That is going to mean a reduced role for Edgecombe after a fantastic rookie season that saw him average 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 35.4 percent from three. It was an extremely promising debut from the 21-year-old, though he likely will be the fifth option offensively on many nights this upcoming season given the pedigree of Embiid, Maxey, James and Brown.

But Edgecombe is also a fantastic perimeter defender and his athleticism will play nicely in transition. With James, Maxey, Edgecombe and Brown racing down the floor, the Sixers should play fast off of turnovers, picking up easy buckets.

Again, the Sixers will have to balance playing fast with getting Embiid touches in the post. But Philly is so loaded with top-end talent now, the games that the veteran center misses due to injuries or load management won't be so detrimental.

Edgecombe continuing to develop his perimeter shooting will also be important. With James and Brown in particular likely to attack the rim often, kick-outs to Maxey and Edgecombe on the perimeter should be prevalent when the defense collapses. If the second-year guard can consistently make catch-and-shoot threes, the Sixers are going to be incredibly difficult to defend.

There will be an adjustment period for everyone. But Embiid and Maxey are desperate to finally win a title, James specifically chose the Sixers because he felt it gave him his best route to a fifth championship and Brown seems to have a point to prove after Boston let him go.

This is a hungry group, and one that seems willing to make some necessary sacrifices to aid winning.